The English teachers’ job gets more challenging each year with growing competition from accessible media—YouTube, Snapchat, video games, and Instagram—all distractions.

It has never been more critical for our youth to gain the basic skills of reading and writing, as they lay the foundation for learning all other professions.

We want to help. These titles and free resources will educate and entertain.

Educators created these lesson plans to improve student vocabulary and comprehension skills while fostering a lifelong love of reading.

Battlefield EartH

“Battlefield Earth is engaging—a perfect tool to get teens thinking. I found students who thought they did not like to read, become addicted to the end.” —Diego Martinez, Lockheed Martin Science Teacher of the Year Winner

Battlefield Earth [Snapplify link to ebook: 9781592123421]

Grade Level: Secondary • Lexile 780 • GRL Z+

Genre/Theme: Science Fiction, Alien Invasion, Power of the Human Spirit

Free Lesson Plan [link to download lesson plan]

WRITERS OF THE FUTURE

Writers of the Future is a writing contest founded by bestselling author L. Ron Hubbard to help new authors and artists. It is free to enter and open to writers and illustrators from all nations.

“In these modern times, there are many communication lines for works of art. Because a few works of art can be shown so easily to so many, there may even be fewer artists. The competition is very keen and even dagger sharp.

“It is with this in mind that I initiated a means for new and budding writers to have a chance for their creative efforts to be seen and acknowledged.”

—L. Ron Hubbard, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 1

The winning stories are published in an annual anthology along with writing advice from the professional authors who select the short stories (the contest judges). Ten volumes in the series are available on Snapplify. This series can be used to improve reading and writing skills. Students can submit short stories to the contest for free. [https://www.writersofthefuture.com/enter-writer-contest/]

L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 35 

 [link to SnapplifyePub: 9781619866010]

Grade Level: Secondary • Lexile 840 • GRL Z+

Genre/Theme: Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Stories

Free Lesson Plan [link to download lesson plan]

Free online writing workshop available [https://www.writersofthefuture.com/writing-workshop/]

Story description: The 35th collection of winners of the Writers and Illustrators of the Future competition features expertly crafted short stories and art, spanning the gamut from hardcore sci-fi to epic fantasy. Stories so fresh and new, they’re 5-10 years ahead of the curve—the future is literally here and now.

REALISTIC FICTION

Fiction short stories are a powerful way to engage students.

New York Times bestselling author L. Ron Hubbard studied 21 races and cultures and traveled the world. This rich experience shows in his realistic characters and settings throughout the Stories from the Golden Age. There are 80 books in the series and they span all genres.  

Dead Men Kill  [Snapplify link: 9781592125456]

Grade Level: Secondary • Lexile 690 • GRL Z

Genre/Theme: Detective Murder Mystery, Zombies

Free Lesson Plan [link to download lesson plan]

Story description: Detective Lane has seen the darkest side of human behavior, but he’s never seen a murder spree like this: the killers have emerged from six feet under—zombies. Following a trail of drugs, blackmail, and twisted clues, he will have to think outside the box … or end up inside one—buried alive.

If I Were You  [Snapplify link: 9781592125760]

Grade Level: Secondary • Lexile 900 • GRL Z

Genre/Theme: Fantasy, Circus, Identity

Free Lesson Plan [link to download lesson plan]

Story description: A circus midget with giant dreams about becoming the ringmaster turns to ancient black magic to switch identities. Things go spiraling out of control in the big top when Little Tom finds himself face to face with the big cats.

Spy Killer [Snapplify link to ebook9781592126170]

Grade Level: 7 • Lexile 710 • GRL Z+

Genre/Theme: Mystery, Spy Thriller, War Story

Free Lesson Plan [link to download lesson plan]

Story description: Framed for murder, American Sailor Kurt Reid escapes the ship to the exotic and mysterious city of Shanghai just before the Second Sino (Chinese)-Japanese War of the 1930s—only to get caught in a deadly web of blackmail, intrigue, and betrayal.

LEARNING RESOURCES STUDY

A study with 600 students using the Stories from the Golden Age showed an improvement in the student’s interest in reading.

“And the great thing about the books that L. Ron Hubbard wrote is that they talk about values and doing the right thing. In today’s society, you’re not quite sure what a kid is going to pick up and read. If they pick up one of these books, you know that it’s going to be wholesome, and it’s going to have the right kind of ending that you want it to have. And I think that’s really, really important.

“L. Ron Hubbard was a great writer. There’s no doubt about that.” —Lt. Gen. Pete Osman, USMC (Ret.), CEO Toys for Tots Literacy Program (Ret.)

We will continue to work with educators to bring you teacher-created resources that are not only effective but fun for both teachers and their students.

Feel free to contact us with your feedback and recommendations.