Resources you can use today (and the day after)
These resources are designed to help you create a classroom where students don’t just read—but identify as readers. Built on the principles of Tim Fredrick’s research, Choosing to Belong centers the simple truth that engagement precedes achievement. When students are trusted to make meaningful choices in what and how they read, they begin to see themselves—and one another—differently.
Classroom frameworks that balance freedom and guidance so every student can find the right book and the right challenge.
Reader profiles and conference forms to spark one-on-one conversations that connect interests, identity, and growth.
Literature circle grouping guides that make choice feel fair and communal and creative response options that honor multiple ways of showing understanding.
The Author
Tim Fredrick has spent more than 20 years teaching, mentoring, and coaching educators. Over the course of his career, he has worked with hundreds of teachers across the full spectrum of experience—from pre-service candidates just entering the field to veteran educators with more than two decades in the classroom. He began as a classroom teacher himself, gaining first-hand experience with the challenges and joys of guiding student learning, and later expanded his focus to supporting teachers in refining and deepening their practice. Tim earned his Ph.D. in Education from New York University, where his dissertation explored how teens exercised power in the classroom through language. This research continues to inform his belief that teaching is not only about content but also about relationships, communication, and the dynamics that shape learning environments. His work emphasizes reflection, clarity, and practical strategies that help teachers make strong instructional decisions in the moment. He believes effective professional development goes beyond quick fixes and instead builds the habits of mind that foster long-term growth. Whether leading workshops, observing lessons, or providing individualized coaching, Tim meets teachers where they are and supports their growth with respect, encouragement, and a focus on student success. Drawing on two decades of experience, Tim now designs professional learning experiences that are relevant, reflective, and immediately useful in classrooms. His goal is to help teachers feel more confident and supported as they take on the vital work of educating students.
Practical, flexible tools to help students find their voice, choose their books, and rediscover the joy of reading.
Download the full Choosing to Belong Resource Packet—ready-to-use tools, surveys, and planning guides that help students see themselves as readers and build authentic engagement through choice.
$20.00