Using apps in class is now part of almost every curriculum and elementary teachers have found they are great at engaging students and offering activities that match well to a student’s needs.
ESGI and ThinkFives asked hundreds of elementary teachers what apps they used most often in their class and here is what they shared.
Lexia
Lexia Learning is one of the best hands-on and most highly respected reading technology solutions. It started with a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and it currently has solutions for struggling and non-proficient readers from Pre-K to 12th grade.
Lexia stands as one of the most rigorously researched, independently evaluated, and respected reading programs in the world with 7 studies published in peer-reviewed journals.
Epic
Epic is the world’s leading online children subscription book service. They offer over 25,000 high-quality illustrated books which — if you read like we do — would take several lifetimes to get through.
Teachers like Epic because they include reading books, audiobooks, educational videos and fun educational quizzes. They partner with leading publishers including National Geographic to bring both fiction and nonfiction to the classroom.
And the best thing: Epic is free for elementary school teachers.
Starfall
The third most often used app by elementary teachers is also free. Using Starfall, students play interactive games that improve their vocabulary and understanding of words and reading concepts.
Where do you sleep? Students click on the bed icon or the shower icon or both. They can then listen to the pronunciation of any icon they click on.
Starfall started in September 2002 as a free public service to teach children to read. Since then, it’s expanded to include language arts and mathematics all the way through the 3rd grade.
Google Classroom
For teachers and students, Google Classroom is user-friendly and brings the benefits of paperless sharing and digital collaboration. During remote learning this past year, Google Classroom became mission-critical for many.
Teachers like the simple integration among a number of important apps like Docs, Sheets and Presentation, not to mention the many 3rd party apps that integrate with Google Classroom. This includes everything from Khan Academy to PBS.
Google Classroom is not just for remote teaching. In a survey on skills learned this past year that many teachers believe will benefit them in the future, Google Classroom came in second.
Seesaw
The #1 most used app by elementary teachers in 2021 was Seesaw. Seesaw is a student-driven digital portfolio that inspires students to do their best work and saves you time. It’s available online from the app store and teachers can browse thousands of great activities ready to use in their classroom today.
Seesaw helps teachers see and hear what each student knows so they can better understand their progress. This allows for more differentiated support through comments and feedback. No wonder why so many teachers have listed Seesaw as an app they use.
Honorable Mentions
- ABC Mouse: A comprehensive digital learning resource for children ages 2 to 8 designed to help them prepare for Kindergarten through 3rd grade readiness.
- Teachers Pay Teachers: The site features extensive lessons in math, science and English with many types of activities in each subject.
- Class Dojo: Free mobile app to communicate with both students and parents, and to compile student portfolios.
- Raz-Kids: A teaching solution that provides comprehensive leveled reading resources for students
What is the app you use the most with your students?
I definitely use Google Classroom the most because it is free, but also because there are so many different applications to use, from Docs to Presentations. I also think it is easier to submit assignments for students and grade assignments and post announcements as a teacher as well.
My students love to read on Epic! I just wish they would change the available reading time to fit a full school day.
Haven’t been in elementary in awhile but these all sound great!