24 TOOLS

Middle School Writing Apps and Websites

These top-rated middle school apps and websites can help you and your students address some key writing skills. More importantly, many of the selections offer students an authentic community that can get them writing about high-interest topics and sharing their writing with others. From academic skills such as argumentative writing and writing research papers to more interest-driven writing activities and online social networks for creative writing, you'll find it all here. There's even some help for better organizing and structuring writing as well as improving grammar.

Writing Platforms and Creation Tools

Pages

Writing and publishing tool is an increasingly satisfying option

Bottom Line: With useful new book creation features, Pages is a much-improved publishing tool for Apple-oriented classrooms.

Grades: 3–12
Price:
Free

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

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

NoodleTools

Expansive research tool uniquely melds learning and productivity

Bottom Line: While the complex, old-school design isn't ideal, NoodleTools gives students specific assistance where they need it the most -- with citations, paraphrasing, elaboration, and organization.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free to try

Notability

Flexible note-taking tool empowers learners of all abilities

Bottom Line: An excellent tool that lets students make their notes thorough and useful in the way that best suits their learning styles and abilities.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Paid

Writing Instruction for the Classroom

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

826 Digital

Popular after-school program shares its resources with teachers

Bottom Line: This is a worth-bookmarking resource thanks to relatable writing lessons and motivating examples of actual student writing.

Grades: 1–12
Price:
Free

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

StudySync

Superb ELA resource features engaging activities, stellar support

Bottom Line: An exceptional, ever-growing resource for helping your students become close readers, careful writers, and critical thinkers.

Grades: 6–12
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

Grammarly

Helpful tips support the writing process, build confidence

Bottom Line: A flexible tool that -- with teacher guidance -- students can use for both quick fixes and more in-depth writing improvement.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free, Paid

Kaizena

Nifty add-on enables audio and text feedback in Google Docs

Bottom Line: If your classroom relies a lot on Google Docs, this might just be the feedback tool you're looking for.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

Online Networks and Social Platforms for Writing

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

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

Weebly

Easy-to-use website design tool lets teachers monitor kids' creations

Bottom Line: Teacher-monitored sites and drag-and-drop elements make attractive website design safe and accessible for students.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

Youth Voices

Aging online community hosts authentic student writing

Bottom Line: With some patience and understanding, this could be a good space for supporting healthy student expression.

Grades: 7–12
Price:
Free

Teen Ink

Get kids writing, publishing, critiquing in this valuable network

Bottom Line: Teens will find a wealth of information and many opportunities to further interest in writing and the creative arts.

Grades: 8–12
Price:
Free

Write the World

Global community helps young writers write, revise, think, and grow

Bottom Line: With interest-based writing prompts and thoughtful feedback from peers and pros, this is a great tool for writing for authentic audiences.

Grades: 8–12
Price:
Free

Textadventures.co.uk

Play or design text adventures, but creation can get technical

Bottom Line: Text adventures can be a blast to play and make, but the Quest game-making tool, while offering some decent support, can be tough to use effectively without coding experience.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

Other Helpful and Engaging Resources for Writing

ReadWriteThink

Free hub for literacy lessons aims to deepen learning, engagement

Bottom Line: This is a trustworthy site that teachers of all grades/subjects could find a way to use weekly for lessons or professional development.

Grades: K–12
Price:
Free

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

ZoteroBib

Fewer clicks and less clutter equal a new go-to site for citing sources

Bottom Line: An intuitive site that takes the stress out of citing sources, but students will still need instruction to tweak auto-generated citations.

Grades: 5–12
Price:
Free

KQED Education

Excellent multimedia learning hub supports both teachers and students

Bottom Line: For those willing to dig around, the site is an exceptional place for both educators and students to find inspirational digital media resources.

Grades: 6–12
Price:
Free

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