TOP PICKS | 10 TOOLS

10 Best ELA Tools for Elementary Schoolers

Building a strong foundation in reading, writing, and other ELA topics will provide students with the communication skills they'll need in all other subject areas. These elementary school-focused apps and websites offer engaging, well-designed experiences that appeal to younger kids' playful sensibilities and rich curiosity. There are reading tools that'll help students see the wonder and joy of books, writing and creation tools that unlock student imaginations, and proven instructional and assessment resources for teachers.

Top Picks

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ReadWriteThink

Excellent free resource for all things reading and writing

Bottom line: A language arts teacher's dream; lesson plans, professional development, and all-around quality support.

Grades: Pre-K–12 Price: Free

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BrainPOP Jr.

Top-notch videos and activities a boon for elementary school teachers

Bottom line: BrainPOP Jr. sets the bar for top-quality online learning supplements.

Grades: K–3 Price: Paid

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Epic! - Kids' Books and Videos

Free, expansive digital library unlocks treasure trove of books

Bottom line: This large collection of books and videos on a wide variety of topics is an easy -- and free -- enhancement to any classroom library.

Grades: K–5 Price: Free to try

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Flocabulary

Delightful hip-hop-based platform teaches vocab across content areas

Bottom line: Flocabulary has the goods: It's savvy enough to keep kids focused, and teachers will love the engaging, multi-modal platform.

Grades: K–12 Price: Free to try, Paid

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ReadWorks

Differentiate reading instruction with high-quality texts and lessons

Bottom line: The quality and scope of texts, lesson plans, assessments, and supports on this platform can help facilitate targeted reading instruction in any classroom.

Grades: K–12 Price: Free

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News-O-Matic EDU

Daily news stories and supplements keep elementary schoolers current

Bottom line: This highly useful current events platform can be a daily fixture of elementary school classrooms.

Grades: 2–6 Price: Free to try

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Pixton Edu

Popular comic creation tool well-tuned to classrooms

Bottom line: Students will be motivated to share subject knowledge using the fun language of comics.

Grades: 2–12 Price: Free to try, Paid

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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

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ThinkCERCA

Well-structured lessons encourage deep analysis, thoughtful writing

Bottom line: This is a ready-to-go, research-backed resource that focuses intently on CCSS-aligned and AP-level critical reading and writing skills.

Grades: 3–12 Price: Free, Paid

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