ELA Tools

Actively Learn is an ereading platform that improves students' reading comprehension and retention by empowering teachers to reach students inside a book. Teachers can customize instruction, provide real-time feedback, allow peers to collaborate, and get analytics on student performance.

SIRS® Knowledge Source® is a database portal which is comprised of several distinct reference databases including SIRS® Issues Researcher, SIRS® Government Reporter®, and SIRS® Renaissance®. It provides relevant, credible information on social issues, science, history, government, and the arts and humanities.

Designed for busy teachers and librarians, AR 360 supports independent reading practice and the three key instructional shifts being emphasized in the Common Core: more nonfiction reading, more reading of complex texts, and the ability to cite text evidence. Most importantly, it brings actionable insights across independent and instructional reading practice into educators’ hands.

LearnZillion is a learning platform that combines video lessons, assessments, and progress reporting. Each lesson highlights a Common Core standard, starting with ELA in grades K-12.

TweenTribune is a free, not-for-profit online newspaper for kids, aged 8–15. It is updated daily with stories from the Associated Press that are chosen based on relevancy to pre-adolescents.

Newsela is a data base of current events stories tailor-made for classroom use. Indexed by broad theme (e.g. War and Peace, Arts, Science, Health, Law, Money), stories are both student-friendly and can be accessed in different formats by reading level. Use Newsela to differentiate nonfiction reading.

CommonLit is a free digital tool that helps students in grades 5-12 make measurable gains in reading and writing. Teachers can go to CommonLit.org, create a free account, and access our free library of high-interest, standards-aligned lessons.