Educational Online Tools

The sheer number of educational apps available to teachers is overwhelming. It can take a lot of time to research quality online tools that can assist in your teaching. To save you some time, here are a few examples of free apps available to you and your students. 

[1]

​Seesaw: The Learning Journal
All subject areas

If you haven’t checked out Seesaw, it might be time! Seesaw is a great tool for not only teachers but for students and parents. Seesaw is an online tool that allows students to document their learning throughout the year, provide feedback to other classmates and receive feedback from their parents and teachers. Teachers around the district love this tool because it has become a portfolio of their students learning and allows students the opportunity to collaborate online in a safe environment. Seesaw is also a platform that allows students the freedom to show their learning in multiple ways and it works within any subject area.

If you currently use Seesaw in your classroom but are looking for new ways to use this platform, check out  and read about the “100 Ways Students Use Seesaw”.

[2]

​Number Rack from the Math Learning Center
Math

If you keep up with our elementary curriculum blogs you know that our last blog included information on “Number Talks” and the importance of providing our students with a daily opportunity to improve their number sense. For those of you looking for a math teaching tool that helps students think in terms of 5’s and 10’s you might want to check out this app. This app allows you to facilitate the exploration of addition and subtraction strategies. You also have the opportunity to annotate the work on the iPad. The Math Learning Center provides an online video on how to manipulate the app for those of you looking to get started.

​[3]

Sworkit Kids
Exercise & Movement

We don’t want to forget about our PE teachers in our elementary blogging and since movement and exercise is a conversation we have often in classrooms here is a suggestion for those looking for new ways to get students moving. What is unique about this tool is that it not only get students moving but it models the appropriate ways to stretch and safely exercise. If you aren’t sure how to model that for your students, you can use this tool in any classroom or gym (just be sure you have enough room once they start moving!). 
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[4]

Spelling City
Word Study

We know that giving spelling lists is not best practice which is why as a district we have moved to word study. Teachers are always looking for more creative ways to get students engaged in their independent word study work. Spelling City is a tool that teachers can use to download students individual work lists. When you meet with your students for a mini-lesson on a new sort or after introducing students to their new sort students can work on their individual spelling pattern in multiple ways within Spelling City. Students can also take a pre-test within Spelling City and teachers can check their understanding. It does take time on your end to enter the sorts but once they are in you can use them over and over again.

If you are looking for a list of other district approved apps, you can find that here.

Enjoy trying out these apps but as always before introducing students to online resources don’t forget to teach them the importance of online digital citizenship! 

This post brought to you by Kate Palmquist, Elementary Principal on Special Assignment