Top Tech for Advanced Learners in ELA

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.

Site for reviewing and sharing books makes reading a social adventure

Bottom Line: This safe, simple social network lets kids share their reading success with friends, creating healthy competition and confidence.

The fun and fantasy of Harry's world plus literary discussion

Bottom Line: With activities, discussion questions, and lots of free access to the books, this site is a great place for Harry Potter fans new and old.

Boundless, flexible tools promote instructional, independent reading

Bottom Line: A stellar literacy platform for assessing student reading levels and promoting further reading.

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.

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.

Vocab-building word puzzles inspire creative problem-solving

Bottom Line: Wide-open problem solving builds creativity, vocabulary, and spelling skills, but controls can be tricky.

YA review site gives students a real-world, although ad-driven, outlet

Bottom Line: LitPick is a decent place for YA lovers to discover and discuss books, but the site is in need of a refresh and features a lot of promotion/ads.

You've never seen literature like this (and your students might just love it)

Bottom Line: A compelling twist on classic lit that could be a great tool to get students interested in reading classic literature.

Experts examine, dissect, and discuss critical issues

Bottom Line: A helpful site for exploring multiple perspectives on key current events and hot topics.

Amazing interactive visual dictionary makes exploring words exciting

Bottom Line: Dynamic, highly visual presentation makes learning new words exciting.

Collaborative tool lets users annotate songs, literature, web content

Bottom Line: Students can collaboratively engage in the process of annotation and analysis with various texts -- both within the forum and on the web.

Pop culture site promotes social justice critique, activism

Bottom Line: This site offers smart, fun resources for exploring the layers of meaning in media and finding causes to fight for.

Handy supporting features help demystify popular Shakespeare plays

Bottom Line: This is a thoughtfully-designed site that makes Shakespeare approachable while also encouraging students to read closely.

Slow but alluring game uniquely depicts how folklore shaped America

Bottom Line: While it's not perfect, it could serve as a nice complement to a unit on American folklore or as a way to inspire students to write their own tall tales.

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.

Inventive, interactive short story puzzles, scares, and delights

Bottom Line: Utterly unique, short experience packed with exploration, mysteries, and surprises, but will take inventive teacher to wrap around.

Lively community for bookworms to share their love of lit

Bottom Line: Using Goodreads can enhance teens' reading experience and help them become thoughtful, enthusiastic readers.

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.

Literary app chunks out classic texts for on-the-go reading

Bottom Line: Useful if pedagogically limited option for teachers to introduce students to the classics, or prep for future units.

Solid blogging tool and content management system offers DIY blogs

Bottom Line: This is a great tool to get kids blogging and creating online content.