Best of the Best Lists

High School Curriculum Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Are you looking for high school curriculum apps, tools, and resources that you can use with your students? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.

ThinkCERCA – ThinkCERCA is a literacy curriculum meant to bridge all subjects from science to social studies. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening are the four components of the ThinkCERCA curriculum. Each lesson supports the shared literacy framework, allowing students and teachers to use a common language to speak about literacy, including claims, evidence, reasoning, counterargument, and audience. ThinkCERCA is aligned to the standards in each subject (Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core State Standards, etc.) and can be used as a textbook replacement. Differentiation is easy as each text comes with ten adjustable levels. ThinkCERCA is backed by research and has a set of case studies that can be reviewed on their website.

StudySync – StudySync offers a comprehensive, technology-driven English Language Arts curriculum for grades 6-12. The curriculum integrates reading and writing with embedded skill lessons to build foundational knowledge and improve critical thinking, comprehension, and inquiry skills. Teachers have the option to use StudySync as a completely digital curriculum or turn to the printable options. With the belief that all students deserve equal access to education, StudySync offers tons of differentiation options for various student needs, including English Language Learner segments, extensive use of video and audio components, and repeated readings. Extended writing projects use explicit instruction along with self, peer, and teacher assessment to encourage deep understanding and future skill application.

LearnZIllion– LearnZillion is a comprehensive curriculum for math, English, and language arts. It includes resources, analytics, and teaching guides. Individual teachers may use it for free, but a membership fee is required if the app is deployed across a school district. Not only does this app include learning material, but it also offers complimentary and supplemental resources such as videos to supplement the learning experience.

Study Island – Study Island is an all-in-one practice website for students to work on literacy, math, science, and social studies skills. It is built specifically around state standards, so regardless of your school’s location, you can rest assured that the content and practice provided on the website will align with your classroom teaching. Study Island is a great tool to use for high stakes testing preparation and provides real-time progress monitoring for teachers and parents. Beyond simple practice, Study Island can also be incorporated into classroom lessons for formative assessment and differentiation. It even allows teachers to import NWEA MAP assessment information for individual students and calculates a targeted learning path to fill in knowledge gaps!

IXL Learning– IXL Learning has been proven to be effective in providing comprehensive, curriculum-based math and English language arts content for kindergarten to grade 12. It also provides an immersive learning experience in science, math, language arts, and social studies for K-12. It produces real results, which is why it is trusted by top teachers and presently used by The Elite 100.

Big Seed– Formerly available only in schools, JiJi, the penguin makes its public debut! The objective of the game is to unfold the colored seed tiles to fit perfectly into all the empty cells. This is a MIND Research Math Curriculum to be completed by second graders.

Gross Motor Skills Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Are you looking for gross motor apps, tools, and resources that you can use with your students? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.

Just Dance NowMotor Skills–  Dance to your favorite hits from over 300 songs available on Just Dance. Release your inner dance with this app and enjoy great choreographies without a video game console. All you need is an Internet-connected device such as Apple TV, iPad, computer, or Chromecast. The latest installment comes with an additional 42 games which are available on video game consoles.

Make A Scene: Farmyard– Make a Scene: Farmyard stimulates children’s creativity and allows them to design their own scenes. Little kids love cute farm animals, and this app has sheep, cows, ducks, chickens, and more. With hours of entertainment, they will learn and practice vocabulary, motor skills, and coordination simultaneously. They will be able to numerous scenes in this dynamic farmyard; for preschool to adult, this app will not disappoint.

OctoPlus– Octoplus is a math app that uses interactive gaming to help children develop math skills. This app takes you into an underwater world where you battle turtles to earn points. It has both drill and challenge modes, designed to develop children’s math abilities using their innate intelligence. It is also helping develop motor skills in children who have motor or cognitive delays. This app can be customized to keep children interested and motivated; it comes packed with features designed to improve visual attention, timing, coordination, and control. Parents can also use this app to emphasize individualized education program (IEP) objectives.

Free Education Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Are you looking for free education apps, tools, and resources that you can use with your students? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.

1000 Sight Words Superhero– Children learn to read and spell the 1000 most commonly repeated words. The app groups these sight words into 50 sets containing 20 words each to avoid flooding the child with 1000 words at once. To avoid unintended repetition, the user can highlight words previously learned and focus on new words or a set of words.

ABC Alphabet Phonics– A free app that teaches toddlers and young children who are learning to speak. By applying various senses (sight, sound, etc.), children can learn the alphabet and a few other optional subjects. Parents can also customize the app using their voice and taking photos of their child’s favorites items to make the experience more stimulating and personal.

ChatterPix Kids– The ChatterPix app lets you use still images taken with your phone’s camera, record your voice over them, and make them chatter! This free app does not collect any personal data, and it does not contain any third-party ads or in-app purchases. Suitable for children between the ages of 6 and 12.

Classroom Carrots– This free app helps teachers maintain good behavior, encourage student participation, and much more. Student behaviors can be measured instantly on this app, and proper behavior is rewarded. Teachers can record attendance and achievements using the reporting tool, and the rewards book module allows them to interact with parents, build up their classrooms, and distribute stickers around the school.

Duolingo– This is one of the most popular free apps for learning languages; it offers about 30 languages for you to explore. You can log on to your account from any device to continue your education. It also allows you to practice reading, writing and listening as you learn.

Google Apps for Education–  Google Apps for Education offers several free apps available for educators and parents. With this app, students can work together on their files with a live display showing what part is being edited by whom. Also, students can come together in a group to create a diagram, prepare a presentation with a slideshow, and so on.

Lantiv Timetabler – This app is an organizational tool built for primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions. It is a free app that helps an institution save all the necessary information on its database and to use it for administrative purposes. The app can be used to create a timetable and detect any conflicts that might occur with the information provided. The app also features interactive tutorials and a collection of tools that can help a user get used to using the software.

Little Bird Tales– Little Bird Tales helps young children create and design stories with their own voice, art, and imagination. Budding artists will find that there is no end to the stories and worlds they can create as they are building their creativity, writing, and reading skills. Reading and writing will be your child’s new favorite hobbies after they see how much fun they can have with Little Bird Tales. With no ads or popups, Little Bird Tales is a free app that allows children to share their creations with family and friends easily.

Math Chimp Worksheets– Math Chimp is filled with games, videos, and worksheets based on Common Core Standards for math. This is a free app specifically geared toward children in grades one through eight. Math Chimp is a one-stop-shop for all things that are math related.

ModMath– ModMath is a free app that helps students who have dyslexia and dysgraphia with their math problems. This app will follow your student or child as they progress, and it constantly offers tips and tricks and guides them every step of the way. Students can do problems on the iPad and then print, save, email, or share their work.

Periodic Table– This periodic table app includes many illustrations and fun facts intended to infuse fun into periodic table lessons for the young learner. This free app was designed on the blueprint of the highly rated Royal Society of Chemistry Periodic Table website. Periodic Table is useful for students and teachers as well as the average knowledge seeker.

Vernier Go Direct® Sensors with Graphical Analysis™ 4 – Go Direct® sensors collect real-time data from science experiments and lab work and connect directly to student computers or mobile devices. Each of the 40+ types of sensors offered by Vernier are all-in-one style sensors that come with software. Vernier also produces textbooks, with experiments designed to complement their sensors for Chemistry, Physical Science, and middle school science. All purchases include the free app Graphical Analysis 4, which helps students create real-time graphs of their experimental data.

Bamboozle– Bamboozle is a free educational game that can be used to test cooperation and knowledge among students. Students do not need to create accounts or login to play. It can be projected onto a projector, smartboard, or a monitor. Students can also use this app to assess their performance level by themselves.

GPS Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Are you looking for GPS apps, tools, and resources that you can use with your students? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.

GeocachingGPS -This app is your geocaching toolbox, whether you’re looking forward to finding your first geocache or your hundredth. Be ready to be a member of the world’s largest treasure hunting community and walk through the adventure of discovering your first few geocaches. You are provided with hints, tips, and instructions on how to find your geocache from the millions dispersed across 185 countries waiting to be found.

Map My Run– Map My Run is designed to get you started or help you continue your fitness journey. It will record and follow in real time as you run. It will sync with your mobile device’s Global Positioning System (GPS) and record where you go. With activities to log, such as running, cycling, walking, workouts, yoga, and more, Map My Run will also provide you with pace, route, traveled distance, calories burned, and more. If you need motivation or just a way to keep track of your activity, this app can be helpful.

Gradebook Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Are you looking for gradebook apps, tools, and resources that you can use to collect, calculate, and analyze your student’s grades? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.

1st Class GradeBook – The 1st Class GradeBook app provides modern grading features, including class and student activity, marks, QuickMarks, reports, and more. Teachers can also send reports to parents to keep them informed of their children’s progress. This app comes with a money-back guarantee.

BigSIS – BigSIS is a cloud-based, highly customizable student information system, providing solutions to private schools across the United States and Canada. BigSIS is comprised of modules that manage everything from admissions, gradebook, narrative assessments, donations, volunteers, after-school care participants, attendance, enrollments, and more. You select the modules you want to purchase; many modules are included in the software package for free.

Class Action Gradebook – This grade book software allows you to import student data, import assignments, and maintain a journal. It provides features such as seating charts, attendance, web posting, email communication, data export, and import. This app supports elementary, secondary, and college levels.

ClassMate Gradebook – This teacher grading and classroom management program is designed for all levels of education. It is easy to use and flexible so the teacher can monitor student activities. From in-depth reports to one-click attendance logging, this program was designed for much-needed classroom support. Reports can be saved in PDF or Excel format and shared with colleagues and parents.

Edusight– Edusight provides a solution for elementary teachers to monitor and collect accurate data about their students. Edusight Gradebook has a simple-to-use interface that helps teachers better understand their students’ performance and determine how best to help them. Edusight Notes allows teachers to record video, text, and audio observations of a student’s performance in class.

GradeBook Pro– The GradeBook Pro is designed with busy educators in mind to help record grades, student performance, and attendance. It doesn’t come with ads, purchases, subscriptions, or third-party services that require payment. With this app, you can set your preferred grade scale to any grade range you want.

GradeBookWizard – This is an online grade book and attendance program that enables teachers, students, and parents to interact in a secure online community. Teachers can access their grade book from any PC or Mac with Internet access. They can use their class website to post assignments, instructions, grades, announcements, and handouts for students and parents to access through individual, secure logins.

Jupiter iO Gradebook  – This is a web-based grade book for teachers, schools, and districts from K-12 to college. Optional integration with your SIS or Jupiter SIS is available. It offers automatic English-to-Spanish translation and text-to-speech conversion for special needs students.

TeacherPlus Gradebook – TeacherPlus is a web-based teacher grade book designed specially to integrate with the Administrator’s Plus student information system. It allows teachers to access their grade book on any browser or device, anywhere and anytime, without adding any plug-ins. Real-time tools, including graphs, are available on the website to help teachers and parents monitor a child’s progress.

Grammar Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Are you looking for grammar apps, tools, and resources that you can use with your students? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.

Grammar Pop– If you’re looking for a fun word game for adults or you want your kids to learn parts of speech as quickly as possible, the Grammar Pop is for you. With this fun game, you match words with parts of speech of pop clouds and advance from nouns and verbs to gerunds and participles.

Grammaropolis– Mastering grammar is fun with Grammaropolis. This website has downloadable apps that include videos, games, books, and quizzes. Grammaropolis is the home of grammar! It uses the parts of speech as animated characters in videos, songs, books, and interacting games. The Grammaropolis is innovative and classroom proven.

Little Matchups ABC Alphabet Letters and Phonics Little Matchups ABC Alphabet Letters and Phonics is a matching game to help reinforce your little one’s alphabet skills. Children are impressionable and fun-loving, and they need cute ways to learn. Loved by parents, kids, and teachers alike, this app will help your infant to four-year-old have fun and learn uppercase and lowercase letters. They will develop a firm basis for future learning in English, grammar, and reading that to carry them through life.

Mingoville– With 10 missions, you can use Mingoville to learn the English language. The app has a dictionary that is available in 32 languages and contains over 10,000 audio clips to help you learn to pronounce all types of words. There are also 130 games and activities that will reinforce spelling, reading, grammar, and pronunciation. If you love to sing, there are also 10 songs that you can sing along; you can also participate with your friends.

Quill– Quill is a writing tutorial app for teachers designed to help students become better writers. Quill is a nonprofit organization, and its goal is to provide tools such as Quill to help make students better writers. Quill uses web applications to create engaging content for students that helps them learn grammar, writing skills, and vocabulary. Using the teacher dashboard, you can monitor students’ progress according to the Common Core Standards; this feature also makes grading more intuitive and meaningful.

SentenceBuilder– SentenceBuilder™  is designed to help elementary aged children comprehend how to construct grammatically correct sentences as it emphasizes connector words that make up over 80 percent of the English language. SentenceBuilder™ offers a vibrant, fun environment for enhancing children’s grammar.

Sumdog – Aligned to the Common Core and key state standards, Sumdog provides K-8 learning in math, spelling, and grammar. With an adaptive learning engine, questions are targeted to everyone’s academic learning level providing automatic differentiation in the classroom. Questions are purposefully designed to blend new learning and review. Sumdog is full of engaging activities and games designed to keep students motivated through a focus on game-based learning. With a subscription, teachers have access to detailed reports providing information on progress, effort, skills, and growth against the standards for each student. Sumdog uses a positive reward system to help ensure continued student engagement. For correct answers, students earn gold coins which can be “spent” in Sumdog’s in-app store. There is also an optional pet reward program where each student has a virtual pet that learns one new trick for each new skill the student masters.

The Interactive Grammar of English – A comprehensive introduction to English grammar, from the absolute basics to advanced level construction, The Interactive Grammar of English is a guide to the structure of English. Designed to be viewed from mobile devices, students and teachers can access English grammar rules and troubleshoot English grammar questions from anywhere. It includes a complete grammatical glossary, hundreds of exercises and quizzes, and tons of real English examples.

Grammar Checker Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Are you looking for grammar checker apps, tools, and resources that you can use with your students? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.

Grammarly– Grammarly is your personal grammar coach and an automated proofreader that helps students get better in the proper use of grammar and gain confidence in their writing ability. Grammarly helps correct about 10 times more mistakes than common word processors, and it corrects more than 150 types of grammatical errors and does a plagiarism check.

Grammaropolis – Grammaropolis helps teachers educate students on the complexities of the parts of speech in the English Language. Certificates are used to reward students for each stage completed in the game.

Virtual Writing Tutor – This website is a free grammar and essay checker that also proofreads your work. Simply copy and paste your writing into the text box and click a button. Virtual Writing Tutor can also provide word counts, calculate average sentence length, and assess word choice. The website does not automatically correct errors. Instead, students must review a list of suggested errors and make the corrections themselves. This forces students to think about the errors they are making, and over time, can improve their writing. The Virtual Writing Tutor also offers an error correction game for students to practice finding and correcting common English language errors and has a portal for teachers to set up pen pal exchanges.

Graphic Design Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Are you looking for graphic design apps, tools, and resources that you can use with your students? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.

GIMS – This web-based system manages institutions using more than 15 modules, including student management and staff management functions. GIMS is a web tutor, offering programs in graphic design, web design, software development, and mobile applications. It offers training in all these categories and supports internship roles.

Morphi– Morphi is an app that allows you to create 3-D models that can – be printed into real tangible objects. Using visualization, innovation, creativity, prototypes, and education, create your best models today. Morphi can also be used as a starting place to learn any STEAM subject, stop motion animation, product or graphic design, or for Maker education. One version of Morphi is free, and volume purchases are available.

Graphing Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Are you looking for graphing apps, tools, and resources that you can use with your students? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.

GeoGebra– GeoGebra comes with an easy-to-use interface and many features that help you create, modify, and share math simulations and models. It comes with multiple platforms and dynamic math software that brings together tables, graphing, geometry, algebra, calculus, and statistics in a free easy-to-use package. The app also comes with free and open source software; it has received many educational software awards in the US and Europe.

Teachers Personal Markbook   – This is a grade book and mark book for Windows available in international language versions; it includes mathematical, printing, and graphing functions. With Teachers Personal Markbook, you can grade students, scale scores, print graphs of student progress, prepare for your reports, and use it as an electronic grade book.

GRE Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Are you looking for GRE apps, tools, and resources that you can use to ace the GRE? If so, we have you covered. Check out our list below. Let us know if there are any that we missed.

Magoosh– Testing, quizzing, and cramming are all difficult parts of any student’s life in school. Magoosh helps students prepare for tests by offering practice questions, video explanations, and lesson videos. Teachers will be able to understand where students make mistakes so they can help them learn. Students will also get feedback and be able to determine which topics and questions they should spend most of their time studying. With helpful support, Magoosh will get you to get the best test scores you have ever gotten in topics from math to language.