Common Sense

TOP PICKS | 10 TOOLS

10 Best ELA Tools for Middle School

Middle school is the perfect time to ignite students' passion for reading and writing. These hand-picked ELA apps, games, and websites do just that, building on foundational elementary skills with readings that focus on compelling topics and writing opportunities that challenge students' thinking. Many of these tools also feature great support, offering students feedback on their grammar and writing while also offering teachers ways to personalize assignments (including picking the perfect text) and to grade and assess writing more easily. Finally, a couple of tools on the list encourage students to flex their creative skills and express their style through digital creation and online, peer-to-peer communities.

Continue reading

Top Picks

RELATED

PrintPrint | Save as PDF

LightSail

Robust, full-featured reading tool measures meaningful literacy gains

Bottom line: A powerful, well-designed literacy platform for developing engaged readers.

Grades: 1–12 Price: Free to try Free trial available. Contact for pricing.
See full review

Newsela

Absorbing daily news stories offer kids just-right learning content

Bottom line: Up-to-date, high-interest articles meet students right at their level: Use this robust tool to bolster students' nonfiction reading practice.

Grades: 2–12 Price: Free, Paid There's a "Pro" subscription targeted at schools, but pricing information isn't public; interested teachers and districts can contact them for more information.
See full review

CommonLit

Feature-rich literacy resource offers superb support for readers

Bottom line: Access a hefty collection of reliable, ready-to-print, leveled passages that allow you to tailor lessons, assign online reading, and track progress.

Grades: 3–12 Price: Free
See full review

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 There's a 30-day free trial, and then it's $10 per month (billed annually) for a teacher plan. School and district plans available; contact for pricing.
See full review

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 Free Basic version limited to four grade band-based differentiation levels, short reading lessons, and multiple-choice assessments. Paid Premium version adds 10 levels of differentiation (grades 3-12), more in-depth and varied lessons, writing benchmarking, rubrics, data dashboards, and more. Contact for a quote.
See full review

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 30-day free trial. Classroom subscriptions start at $7 per student per year. School price available upon request.
See full review

Actively Learn

Empowering reader keeps kids actively, independently engaged

Bottom line: Far beyond the average e-reader, this tool helps students connect and stay engaged while teachers easily measure progress.

Grades: 4–12 Price: Free, Paid The free version has 3,000 texts, Google Classroom integration, and simple custom assignments. The paid Prime version adds more data, reporting, and differentiation. There's also an Unlimited plan with addition school and district supports. Contact for a demo and pricing.
See full review

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
See full review

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 Grammarly's editor is a free tool. However, a premium version with tools for readability, vocabulary enhancement, and plagiarism detection is available at a monthly ($29.95/month), quarterly ($19.98/month), or annual ($11.66/month) price.
See full review

StudySync

Superb ELA/EL resource is a complete package

Bottom line: StudySync continues to thoughtfully grow its already robust platform, offering a complete secondary ELA/EL program that cleverly bridges reading and writing, online and offline work.

Grades: 6–12 Price: Free to try A one-year subscription starts at $21.42 per student. The print student reading and writing companion units cost $10.20 per student per year, and the print bundles (including two novels) start at $31.11 per student per year.
See full review
Scroll back to top

Get tips for using these tools in the classroom

See related resources

Related Top Picks