Top reading, writing, spelling, and vocabulary apps to help third graders master English Language Arts.
† Pricing note: Prices are checked against each vendor's official website or help center at the time of writing, but vendors change plans and prices at any time. Always confirm current pricing on the vendor's own site before purchasing. How we review and verify →
IXL is a comprehensive adaptive learning platform covering all subjects from Pre-K through 12th grade.
Epic! provides access to a library of 40,000+ children's books, audiobooks, and educational videos. $84.99/year or $13.99/month.
SpellingJoy ELA is a voiced, interactive English Language Arts curriculum for ages 5-10. The child plays a ~20-minute daily lesson alone - the AI tutor reads aloud, the child builds words with tappable tiles, reads back (speech recognition), and writes with AI feedback. Phonics-first, standards-aware, a full 36-week year per grade. Parents review the week's work. It is an AI tutor, not a state-accredited program, and is not COPPA/FERPA certified - parental consent and supervision are the parent's responsibility.
SpellingJoy is a 100% free spelling practice platform for K-6 students. Unlimited spelling games, unlimited tests, 134+ word lists, custom list creation, and progress tracking - all completely free with no subscriptions and no hidden costs.
Newsela adapts real news articles to 5 different reading levels, making current events accessible to students grades 3-12.
Vocabulary A-Z (formerly VocabularySpellingCity) offers vocabulary and spelling games for K-5 students with classroom management features for teachers. $108/year covers up to 36 students.
SpellingJoy ELA is a voiced, interactive English Language Arts curriculum for ages 5-10 (K-5), which includes 3rd grade. The child runs a ~20-minute daily lesson alone - the AI tutor reads aloud, the child builds words with tappable tiles, reads back, and writes with feedback - organized week by week toward a full 36-week year per grade and mapped to Common Core standards (early grades have the deepest coverage today; new lessons publish continuously). It costs $9.99/month. Note that it is an AI tutor, not a state-accredited program.
Third graders focus on reading comprehension, fluency, vocabulary building, spelling patterns, grammar basics, and writing short paragraphs. Apps that cover multiple ELA strands help reinforce these skills together.
Yes. SpellingJoy offers unlimited free spelling and vocabulary practice with 134+ word lists covering 3rd grade standards. Khan Academy Kids and Epic (free for teachers) also provide strong free ELA content.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends consistent limits on screen time. For educational apps, 20-30 minutes per session is a good target for 3rd graders, allowing focused practice without fatigue.
ELA apps are best used as supplements to classroom instruction, not replacements. They reinforce skills taught in school, provide extra practice, and offer personalized pacing that classrooms cannot always provide.
For comprehensive ELA coverage across reading, writing, and grammar, IXL offers the deepest adaptive practice, while Epic! is unbeatable for building a reading habit with its massive digital library.
SpellingJoy ELA is our pick for a guided 3rd grade ELA year (ages 8-9). It is a voiced, interactive curriculum your child runs alone - the AI tutor reads aloud, the child builds words, reads back, and writes with feedback - a growing week-by-week curriculum (K-5) building toward a full 36-week year per grade, mapped to Common Core, for $9.99/month. See the SpellingJoy ELA year. (It is an AI tutor, not a state-accredited program.) If you want a free option, the original SpellingJoy spelling app is 100% free with unlimited games and 134+ word lists.
Pair a free tool like SpellingJoy with a reading app like Epic or Newsela for well-rounded 3rd grade ELA support without breaking the budget. Our reading and phonics app library lists the rest.
About the Author
SpellingJoy Team
The SpellingJoy team is dedicated to creating free, high-quality spelling resources for K-6 students and their families. We test every app we review and provide honest assessments to help parents make informed decisions.
SpellingJoy+
$2.99/month. All printable packs, teaching resources, premium packs. Cancel any time.
