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abc English Online Library

abc English offers English Readers, Flashcards, and slideshows for systematic phonics, grammar, and vocabulary building. Full access to the online library requires a subscription, but some of the materials are free. Additionally, there is a free 30-day trial option.

Sight Words

For teachers serving beginning-level adult readers and working on alphabetics, this website provides a FREE source of sight word flashcards, games, lessons, and activities. All are focused on the Dolch Sight and Fry Instant lists; two collections of words that all beginning readers (at GE K-3) should recognize without sounding out letter by letter.

New General Service List Finder and Sorter

EAPFoundation.com offers a free electronic tool for finding, highlighting, and sorting high-frequency words (of general service or everyday use) in texts. It includes 2801 words used frequently in both spoken and written English and serves as a foundational word list for deciding which highly used words are most important to teach.

Activities for Tutoring a Beginning ESL Literacy Student

Find activity ideas for Beginning ESL Literacy level learners in phonics, pattern based reading, meaning-based reading, checking comprehension, and vocabulary in this handout.

Making Sense of Decoding and Spelling: An Adult Reading Course of Study

This scripted, ready-to-print, curriculum package is designed to improve accurate and fluent word reading and word spelling. It is useful for Intermediate level students.

Intermediate Word Study (2012)

This ATLAS-supported resource includes: (1) a public domain test for identifying students' approximate grade level performance in word reading or decoding, (2) a series of 'mini-lessons' for teaching multi-syllable decoding with compounds, syllable types and rules, common suffixes, prefixes, and roots, and (3) an appendix of student handouts.

CCRS Reading Standards: Foundational Skills K-5

Free, reproducible student activities aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Reading Foundational Skills (and other ELA standards). They are organized by grade levels (K-5), provide teacher pages outlining objectives/materials/steps, and include student pages without a childish appearance.

Beginning Alphabetics Tests and Tools (BATT, 2015)

Beginning Alphabetics Tests and Tools (BATT) strives to provide a principled system for ABE/ESL teachers wanting to develop their students’ knowledge of Roman alphabet letters, English letter-sound patterns, sight or high frequency words, and transfer of those letter-sound-word skills to text fluency and comprehension.

Alphabetics – Challenges & Possible Solutions

Common alphabetics instructional challenges and solutions developed by Minnesota STARs and Trainers.

CCRS and the Reading Foundational Skills

These resources describe Minnesota's combination of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) + CCRS Reading Foundational Skills 1-4, at Levels K-5. The result is a complete and clear sequence for teaching alphabetics and fluency to adult readers at Beginning and Intermediate levels.

How Should Adult ESL Reading Instruction Differ From ABE Reading Instruction?

A brief from the Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA) summarizing the research base on adult English language learners (ELLs) learning to read. It describes how ELLs differ from native English speakers and how these differences should affect reading instruction.

New Resources

Employer Engagement Toolkit – Workplace

This Employer Engagement Toolkit contains flyers designed to assist Adult Education programs connect with local employers regarding workplace education programs or more generalized collaboration strategies. All flyers describe the short and long term return on investment (ROI) that is possible through collaborations with ABE. Customize each flyer with your ABE program’s contact information, logo, and preferred wording. A free Canva account is required to copy and edit the view-only files. New to Canva? A brief tutorial is included.

Employer Engagement Toolkit

The Employer Engagement Toolkit contains flyers created to assist Adult Education programs connect with local employers regarding workplace education programs or more generalized collaboration strategies. All flyers describe the short and long term return on investment (ROI) that is possible through collaborations with ABE. Customize each flyer with your ABE program’s contact information, logo, and preferred wording. A free Canva account is required to copy and edit the view-only files. New to Canva? A brief tutorial is included.

The Literacy Centre of Expertise

This is a collection of customized materials, practical tools, and effective research-based strategies for teaching adult English as a New Lanugage (EAL) learners. The resources are created to strengthen language skills, address literacy barriers, and boost learner confidence. Materials are geared towards helping students develop the essential skills needed for daily life and active participation in their communities. There is a curated list of useful websites and teacher training. Additionally, view internally developed content such as Adults Learn to Print. Developed by The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) in Canada.

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PD Catalog

Get an overview of all MN Adult Education professional development (PD) activities in one convenient, searchable place!

PD Catalog

Presenter Information

Get information about stipends, reimbursements, the MN Adult Ed policy on use of images in presentations, and other instructions for presenters.

 

MN Adult Ed YouTube Channel

The MN Adult Education YouTube Channel is a free online PD resource that you can use to explore teaching techniques and classroom ideas in action! Find out more in this MN ABE Connect newsletter article.

 

ATLAS Announcements & Future PD

Check out the latest list of ATLAS professional development announcements and opportunities! This is the document that is shared at all ATLAS events.

 

Virtual Meeting Resources

Find resources for conducting online meetings/events/presentations! You are welcome to use and adapt these materials to fit your own needs and context.

 

Upcoming ABE Events

December 8, 2025 2:30 pm–4:00 pm
ATLAS
Online

Holding Space: Healing-Centered Routines and Practices for Classroom Instruction

Online

Registration Deadline: MON. 12/8/25 For many learners and teachers, stress and trauma can seem like insurmountable barriers to developing academic skills. However, the resilience and empathy that many people in adult education have developed can form a foundation for a learning community grounded in curiosity and compassion. Incorporating… Learn More

Online
December 9, 2025 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
ATLAS
Online

Getting Started with Workplace Literacy

Online

Registration Deadline: TUE. 12/9/25 Getting Started with Workplace Literacy is a two-hour webinar designed to introduce the foundations of Workplace Education, including key terms such as program definitions, milestones, and MSGs. Participants will hear from a panel of local ABE managers and workplace literacy partners who will share… Learn More

Online
December 10, 2025 2:30 pm–3:30 pm
Literacy Minnesota
Online

Ellii December Webinar: Keepin’ It Real: Examples from Your Minnesota Colleagues

Online

Registration Deadline: WED. 12/10/25 Venue: Online (see details below) In this session, we’ll showcase examples of how Minnesota adult education teachers are using Ellii in their classes and for distance learning. Come learn from your peers about the activities and resources that they and their learners have… Learn More

Online