Hand-picked tools for every scenario, all well-suited for use during the coronavirus pandemic.
It's tough in a typical school year to serve each student's unique learning needs, but the coronavirus pandemic has transformed the meaning of meeting all students "where they are." For many, this means converting some or all elements of your teaching and curriculum to distance learning.
We've heard from educators how overwhelming it can be to wade through the dozens of emails and articles with hundreds of "great apps for distance learning" from people and companies that possibly have their interests -- and not yours -- in mind. That's why we've curated this short list of free, quality classroom resources for each grade band and subject area. Each tool has scored well on our research-based ratings rubric. More importantly, each tool is something we think would work well given the unique circumstances of the pandemic. Of course, you'll also want to dig in to their privacy and safety practices, so make sure to check out the privacy evaluations on the review pages (when available).
Elementary school math and science
Creative, smart mix of pre-K to K activities is a breath of fresh air
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android, Amazon
Build a tower, test, and improve to help a hungry monkey
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android, Amazon
Make math matter with problems kids can relate to
Price: Limited free content
Platforms: Web
Elementary school ELA and social studies
Free, expansive digital library unlocks treasure trove of books
Price: Free for teachers
Platforms: iOS, Android, Chrome
K-2 literacy program offers comprehensive, adaptive activities
Price: Free and paid versions
Platforms: Web
Text-leveling tool gives every student access to complex readings
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
Elementary school arts and creativity
Online art museum empowers students to exhibit, explain their work
Price: Free
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android
Kids connect the dots with multisensory, interactive media creator
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS
Make musical contraptions with playful sound and physics sandbox
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS
Middle school math and science
Super STEM, social studies resource with highly customizable content
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
Dynamic videos and printables support CCSS math practices
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
Turn your phone into a lab sensor to collect and analyze data
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android, Chrome
Middle school ELA and social studies
Popular after-school program shares its resources with teachers
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
Feature-rich literacy resource offers superb support for readers
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
iCivics
Exceptionally well-designed games, lesson plans demystify government
Price: Free
Platforms: Web (individual games available on iOS and Android)
Middle school arts and creativity
Excellent curation and an unmatched art collection invite exploration
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
Global community of storytellers share inspiring examples of humanity
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
Amazingly simple yet powerful online CAD tool turns kids into makers
Price: Free
Platforms: Web, iOS, Chrome
High school math and science
OER Project
Fascinating look at life's bigger questions with a fresh perspective
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
High-quality multimedia brings biological research to life
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
Flex your deductive reasoning muscles with geometric proofs
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
High school ELA and social studies
A wealth of resources explore racism, prejudice, and anti-Semitism
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
Captivating, cross-curricular stories increase cultural awareness
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
Interactive ebooks and web content make reading a social experience
Price: Free (200 students and five classrooms)
Platforms: Web
High school arts and creativity
Super-flexible design tool for crafting fab images, videos, and sites
Price: Free
Platforms: Web
Amazingly powerful audio workstation unleashes creativity
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS, Mac
Extremely powerful photo editor will equally delight pros, amateurs
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android
