20 TOOLS

Elementary School Writing Apps and Websites

By getting kids writing early and often, we prepare them to succeed across all subjects. And we know that engaging kids' creativity and imagination can help motivate them to use their writing skills. Whether they're practicing storytelling, reflecting on a prompt, or peer editing, students will be working on essential self-expression and social skills. Plus, if they have an authentic audience, get quality feedback, and have accessible support, they're more likely to really dig in to the writing process. So, give your students a leg up with these great picks for elementary school-age kids that'll get them writing and sharing.

Writing Platforms and Communities

Writing A-Z

Abundant, thorough resources help both teachers and students

Bottom Line: This full-service program can help teachers easily weave writing into their curriculum.

Grades: K–6
Price:
Free to try

Night Zookeeper

Subscription-based ELA gaming platform offers individual feedback

Bottom Line: There’s a nice balance of lessons, challenges, and gameplay that will inspire both proficient and reluctant writers.

Grades: 1–6
Price:
Free to try, Paid

Quill

Let students do the writing to make grammar lessons more meaningful

Bottom Line: This tool offers excellent opportunities for grammar and writing practice, well-tailored to students' abilities and needs.

Grades: 1–12
Price:
Free, Paid

BoomWriter

Collaborative writing platform has the potential to motivate

Bottom Line: There's creativity possibility in this tool's unique brand of collaborative and competitive writing, but teachers should take care to keep things positive.

Grades: 3–8
Price:
Free

Edublogs

Encourage student expression and maintain digital portfolios with easy-to-use blog creator

Bottom Line: Edublogs is a fantastic platform for any teacher committed to providing consistent opportunities for creation and reflection.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free, Paid

StoriumEdu

Collaborative writing game inspires purposeful storytelling

Bottom Line: With some planning and customization, this unique card game can motivate thoughtful and sustained creative writing in your classroom.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free to try

ThinkCERCA

Structured literacy program inspires deep analysis, thoughtful writing

Bottom Line: This is an expertly scaffolded and pedagogically sound resource for developing critical reading and writing skills.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Paid

Writable

Stellar program scaffolds the writing process with peer review and feedback

Bottom Line: This is an intelligently structured tool for teaching writing and review that focuses on process as much as product.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free to try

NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program

Wildly engaging contest turns students into novelists in 30 days

Bottom Line: A thoughtful adaptation of the famous and fun grown-up novel writing contest, NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program is brimming with advice and encouragement as well as classroom support.

Grades: 4–12
Price:
Free

Storytelling and Book Makers

Tell About This

Photo and word prompts inspire storytelling; app records the results

Bottom Line: Versatile tool can be used as a pre-writing or publishing activity.

Grades: Pre-K–1
Price:
Free to try, Paid

My Story School eBook Maker

Sleek platform is a great artistic tool, intro to digital storytelling

Bottom Line: This is a good, accessible way to get kids creating, but teachers will need to create wraparound lessons on story structure.

Grades: K–5
Price:
Paid

Book Creator

Magically easy way to create and publish digital books and multimedia

Bottom Line: This is a top-quality creation tool that lets students of many ages and abilities publish their own digital books.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free to try

Elementari

Storybook creation tool offers cool blend of ELA, art, and coding

Bottom Line: This is a great storytelling tool for younger kids that also offers an entry point into coding and computational thinking.

Grades: 1–5
Price:
Free, Paid

Storybird

Social storytelling site helps kids create, publish storybooks

Bottom Line: A great fit for teachers looking to develop students' writing and digital citizenship skills through storybook creation.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free to try

Me: A Kid's Diary

Unique take on self-exploration relies on prompts to guide reflection

Bottom Line: With plenty of ways to express and document their thoughts and more, this app can help students learn something new about themselves.

Grades: 2–5
Price:
Paid

Shadow Puppet Edu

Resource-rich video slideshow maker a gem for a variety of classrooms

Bottom Line: Easy-to-use free tool is a must-have for elementary classrooms; just keep an eye on sharing and privacy.

Grades: 2–12
Price:
Free

StoryJumper

Free storybook creation site has great support for classrooms

Bottom Line: Reliable storytelling tool gives students solid tools to create, collaborate, and share work including real, printed books.

Grades: 1–8
Price:
Free

For Special Needs Students

Read&Write

Useful text-to-speech extension unlocks the written word

Bottom Line: This handy set of accessibility tools helps students get the access they need when they need it, promoting independence and building confidence.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free, Free to try

Pictello

Fabulous tool can help kids create social stories

Bottom Line: Pictello is a great way for kids to create social stories that can help them find their unique voice and prepare for internal and external struggles.

Grades: 1–5
Price:
Paid

CAST UDL Book Builder

Sensitively designed so any student can write and share books

Bottom Line: CAST UDL Book Builder is an excellent resource to get kids started on digital content creation; it's simple and straightforward and caters to a variety of learning styles.

Grades: 1–7
Price:
Free

More Picks for You

  • Websites for Reading, Literacy, and Math Games

  • Resources for Close Reading and Literary Analysis Lessons

  • Digital Tools for School Libraries and Media Centers