Are your students glued to their phones and computers? If so, why not let them use them in class? (In a CONSTRUCTIVE way, of course!!) I’ve compiled a list of some of the best free apps and websites that you can use in your Middle Schoola ELA classroom.
You and your students will love these!
1. CommonLit
CommonLit is a pretty well-recommended website that offers free reading passages that you can use for your lessons.
Its digital lesson library offers thousands of reading passages, and at least 700 of them are tailored for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. The passages include short stories, myths, informational texts, poems and even news articles.
2. NoRedInk
NoRedInk is another website (and it’s also available as an Edmodo app) that offers free exercises, interest-based curriculum and data to help your students become stronger writers.
You can use this program to quiz your students on grammar and give them guided writing assignments that they can review and revise themselves!! (Less stress on you, right??)
3. Quizlet
Quizlet is a studying tool and is another one of the free apps that are helpful for your classroom.
Students can download Quizlet to study for tests with data-backed questions. The app also sends reminders to students when it’s their optimal time to study! (I think Mom and Dad will thank you for introducing this app to their child!!)
4. Kahoot!
As another studying app, Kahoot! offers students a guided pathway through their study sessions.
It starts with flashcards, then moves to practice. After that, students can test themselves. What makes Kahoot! even more interesting is that it adds a social aspect to studying by allowing students to challenge each other with questions.
As far as free apps go, this one is very helpful!
5. Booksource
If you love systems, you will go crazy over Booksource.
This website keeps track of the books you use in your classes and provides an organized system for your students to check out books they need for your assignments.
6. Edpuzzle
This website is free for teachers and students and uses video lessons to let students learn at their own pace.
You can use videos from YouTube, Khan Academy, Crash Course or even videos you record yourself!
And even though students can learn at their own pace with this tool, you can still track their progress—checking to see if they’ve watched the videos and how many times.
7. Dreamscape
This free app is a reading game created by Squiggle Park. The company prides itself in using peer-reviewed research to guide the flow and philosophy of their video games.
Since Dreamscape uses animation and interesting storylines, students are even more engaged in the reading activities!!
8. ReadWorks
ReadWorks is especially helpful if you’re teaching virtually. The website provides free content, curriculum, learning tools and passages to accompany your lessons.
If you use ReadWorks for your digital classes, students can highlight, annotate and finish all their assignments online. As the teacher, YOU get to access the students’ progress reports and automatic grading. (The less work for you, the better!!)
9. Google Forms
Okay, this one isn’t as flashy, but it’s still just as useful (and FREE!). For digital classrooms, you can use Google Forms to create tests for your students to take virtually.
But you can also use it in other, more creative ways!! For instance, one member in my free Facebook group for Middle School ELA teachers (click here to join 😊 ) said she used Google Forms to create a virtual escape room for her students to help them study—and they LOVED it!
Click here for a tutorial on how to create your own digital escape room using Google Forms!
I hope you enjoy these free apps and websites in your classroom! My suggestion… just try ONE of them for now and see how you like it. 😊
Stop feeling like you have to choose between prepping for class and enjoying family time by clicking the button below to grab several weeks of free bell-to-bell lesson plans for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
