Other writing tools

Spell/Grammar checkers:

WordQ is a word prediction program that is available as iPad app, desktop tool for Windows and Mac ($199), Chrome app (all documents will be saved on Google docs). It provides choices for homonyms with sentence examples and does well with phonetic spelling mistakes. Has exam mode available for Windows / Mac option which allows disabling of some features.

Ginger is a contextual spell checker (corrects spelling and grammar in context of the sentence) and is available for mobile devices, desktops and as Chrome extension $48-60/year.

Grammarly is another contextual spell checker that is web based (works with desktops and Chromebooks). Also available as iOS keyboard (free) additional features available with paid version.

Verity Spell is a contextual spell checker available as google docs add-on, is built into OribiWriter (iPad app) and can be downloaded for Microsoft. $17/yr

Google Supports for Reading and Writing (PDF)

LanguageTool is an AI powered online tool (or extension) that helps either improve the grammar of your writing or helps paraphrase your writing (standard, more formal, or more simple). Free with paid advanced features.

Writing organizers:

Read and Write is mainly speech-to-text and text-to-speech with some word prediction. All features are free for teachers, 30 day free trail for students, then only basic features like text-to-speech are available for free (list of free features)- available as on-screen keyboard for iOS and Android, as Chrome extension usable on Chromebook, Windows and Mac systems. Has highlight collection and sorting option, dictionary, picture dictionary etc. built in.

MindMeister and Mindomo (both free for limited features) a graphic organizer available for iOS, and Android and as web apps for desktop and Chromebooks.

Writing Navigator- a FREE Google extension, Microsoft app or web page tool that guides students through the writing process (4 steps). Provides suggestions, and helps with brainstorming, drafting, and revision. This website also has tons of other standards-based curriculum resources!!!

Paragraph Punch- free as a guest, but can't save work, and less writing prompts are given. Full version starts at $35 per student. Program that guides students through the writing process of a paragraph including brainstorming, drafting, revising, and editing.

Idea Sketch- Draw and create mind maps, concept maps, and flow charts, convert your diagram into a text outline, or outline and turn it into a concept/mind map. Use to brainstorm, illustrate concepts, make lists and outlines, plan presentation, and create organizational charts. Import text into Idea Sketch and automatically create diagrams and outlines. Share your idea using email, Dropbox, and other. Free for Windows; Mac; iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch; Windows Phone

Mind Maps- Create visual mind maps to organize, brainstorm concepts, tasks, ideas, lecture or meeting notes, or action items. Free online website

Here is a link to a Pages file from Apple with 10 graphic organizers. They are visually appealing and have some great accessibility features. Here are the following graphic organizers that you can find and use with your students:

- KWL

- Two-topic Venn diagram

- Three-topic Venn diagram

- "Hamburger" paragraph

- Timeline

- Mindmap

- Cause and effect

- Vocabulary graphic organizer (2 different options)

- 5 Senses Descriptions Topic

This link can be shared directly with students. When opening the link, select "Open in Pages" and then select "Add" when asked to Add to Template Chooser. Then when students create a new document (+sign) and scroll to the bottom of the options, students can open a fresh copy of the document.

Holt Interactive Graphic Organizers

Dictionaries:

Read and Write has built-in dictionary and picture dictionary. free for teachers, 30 day free trail for students. Pricing for students

Kindle app and device have a built-in dictionary feature. Easy to use and additional dictionaries can be added.

Google Dictionary Extension

Microsoft Dictionary

Mariam-Webster Dictionary iOS app

Mac Dictionary - MacBooks

Annotation Tools:

SnapType Pro 2 ($49.99) by SnapType for iOS, free for basic version (up to 3 documents on app), allows taking a picture of a worksheet and typing/voice typing/stylus writing onto document, then share via various platforms. Has OCR feature and provides text to speech option.

Use the VoiceDreamReader app with Bookshare to annotate the text. Get it from the app store for iOS ($79.99/yr).

ClaroPDF (free) is a professional and user-friendly PDF viewer, reader and annotator. Annotate, mark up and save PDF files which are then still fully compatible with Adobe Reader and other popular PDF apps. Available for iOS, Android and Chrome. Limited scans.

ClaroPDF Pro ($9.99) is an accessible, reading and study PDF tool for all. Annotate, mark up, listen to and save PDF files which are then still fully compatible with other popular PDF apps. Have accessible text PDF files spoken back to you with human quality voice & synchronised highlighting. PDF image files or photographs of text can be converted to accessible, searchable PDF files using the Claro Cloud conversion service. Available for iOS, Android and Chrome

iAnnotate - Annotate PDF, Word Doc, PowerPoint, and image files with this app. Use the typewriter, pen, highlighter, stamp, note, underline, photo, voice and other tools to annotate your document. Import PDFs or compress and export for secured sharing with others. $9.99 – iOS

Other

Word Bank Extension for Chrome- free Extension that allows students to draw vocabulary from word banks- either search by topic or pull from website. Hovering over words will read words to student. Can customize number and type of words presented.

Develop literacy skills and build confidence with Clicker Books – the book making app that includes extensive support for students of all abilities. $199.99 for iOS

SuperKeys $12.99 iOS Assistive Keyboard gives you just 7 large keys to target instead of over 30 small ones! Just tap the cluster containing the letter you want, and then tap the letter in the enlarged cluster. Has context-sensitive word predictor. The suggestions are displayed on large buttons (you can customize the size), and updates the suggestions as a cluster is opened, making it much more likely that word you want is included. It shows up to 36 of your keyboard shortcuts, which are fully customizable in your iPad's settings to allow you to enter your full name or any other phrase with minimal key strokes.

The Writing Machine $0.99 iOS- Explore and identify levels of engagement, ABC and QWERTY keyboard layouts with upper and lower case options, direct selection, single and two switch scanning access methods options. At the Explore level, tap any key on the virtual keyboard to hear the letter, see a picture of a word that starts with the letter and watch the word being written as the word is spoken aloud. Use the Identify level to work on letter recognition and discrimination. The Writing Machine will ask to find a specific letter, and then visually prompt the correct answer after three attempts. 130 vocabulary words are included!

GoWorksheet Maker- create interactive worksheets on iOS. $50 for teachers, students are free.

Picture supported writing:

PixWriter iOS app $69.99

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