If you’re searching for free reading resources that truly support your child’s growth, ReadWorks is a trusted favorite among homeschooling parents and teachers alike. Whether you’re building a homeschool reading curriculum from scratch or looking to supplement your unschooling journey, ReadWorks offers a treasure trove of reading comprehension practice, printable reading passages, and online activities—completely free.
What Is ReadWorks?
ReadWorks is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving reading comprehension for students of all ages. Their platform provides thousands of high-quality, Common Core-aligned reading passages, comprehension questions, and vocabulary activities. It’s designed for classroom use, but it’s just as powerful for homeschoolers and unschooling families who want differentiated reading instruction and engaging literacy resources at home.
Why I Recommend ReadWorks for Homeschoolers
As a retired teacher turned homeschool advocate, I know how challenging it can be to find the best free reading resources for homeschooling parents. ReadWorks stands out because it offers:
- Free access for all families—no subscriptions or hidden fees.
- Reading comprehension practice for grades K-12, with a special focus on elementary reading activities.
- Printable reading passages and digital assignments, perfect for both hands-on and tech-friendly learning styles.
- Differentiated reading instruction—select passages by grade, Lexile level, topic, or reading skill, making it easy to meet your child’s unique needs.
How to Use ReadWorks in Homeschool Lessons
One of the most common questions I hear is, “How do I use ReadWorks in homeschool lessons?” Here’s how you can make the most of this incredible resource:
1. Choose Passages that Match Your Child’s Interests and Level
ReadWorks offers online reading passages for grades K-5 (and beyond) on everything from science and history to art and current events. Filter by topic, genre, or reading level so your child is always challenged but not overwhelmed.
2. Use Comprehension Worksheets and Questions
Each passage comes with free reading comprehension worksheets for homeschool, including multiple-choice and open-ended questions. These are great for building reading skills and documenting progress in your homeschool portfolio.
3. Practice Reading Skills Online and Offline
ReadWorks supports both digital reading assignments for kids and printable reading passages. This flexibility is perfect for unschooling families who value learning anywhere—on the couch, in the car, or outside in the backyard.
4. Encourage Multiple Intelligences
Reading activities for multiple intelligences are easy to create with ReadWorks. Pair a passage with a drawing, dramatic retelling, song, or hands-on project to help your child process and express what they’ve learned.
Using ReadWorks with My “Unschooling for Grades K–5” Books
My “Unschooling for Grades K–5” books are all about sparking curiosity, hands-on exploration, and real-world learning across all subjects—including reading and language arts. ReadWorks is a perfect companion resource for families using my books. Here’s how to integrate them:
- Enrich STEAM Lessons: After you and your child complete a science, social studies, or art activity from my books, use ReadWorks to find a related nonfiction passage. This helps reinforce vocabulary and deepen understanding of key concepts.
- Document Learning for Portfolios: Many states require evidence of reading comprehension and literacy growth. Print out ReadWorks passages and comprehension questions your child completes to include in your homeschool portfolio, alongside journals and projects from my books.
- Differentiate for Your Child’s Needs: If your child is especially interested in a topic from my books, search ReadWorks for more reading passages on that subject—at just the right reading level.
- Integrate Reading with Real Life: Use ReadWorks stories and articles to spark discussions, writing, or creative projects inspired by the themes in my books.
ReadWorks doesn’t replace the hands-on, integrated approach in my books—it complements it. Together, they help ensure your child gets both meaningful experiences and strong reading comprehension practice, making it easier to meet state standards and build lifelong literacy.
Why Reading Skills Still Matter in the Age of AI
Even with the rise of AI and digital tools, foundational reading and writing skills are more important than ever. No matter how advanced technology becomes, your child needs strong reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing abilities to communicate, think critically, and use tech tools effectively. As I often tell parents: you can’t get an AI bot to do what you want if you can’t express yourself clearly!
ReadWorks vs. Other Free Reading Resources
There are plenty of free reading comprehension tools out there, but ReadWorks consistently ranks as one of the best free reading resources for homeschooling parents. Its combination of research-based passages, flexible assignments, and ease of use makes it a standout for both structured and unschooling families.
Supplementing Your Homeschool Curriculum with ReadWorks
Remember, no single resource covers everything. I always recommend supplementing your homeschool curriculum with ReadWorks, especially for reading comprehension practice. Pair it with hands-on learning, discussions, and other resources like Zearn Math, Spelling City, and Quill.org to ensure complete coverage of grade-level standards.
Final Thoughts: Making Reading an Adventure
ReadWorks is more than just reading worksheets for kids—it’s a gateway to curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. Whether you’re seeking literacy resources for parents, Common Core reading resources, or just a way to make reading practice for elementary students at home more engaging, ReadWorks is an invaluable addition to your homeschool toolkit.
Ready to get started?
Visit ReadWorks.org to explore thousands of free passages and activities for your homeschool reading curriculum.