For the last two years, I have been researching and testing the most effective and engaging AI tools for students, teachers, and parents. You may have come across some tools that I mention in the Teacher To Techie toolkit, or are familiar with my series on AI for K-12!
Today, I will be showcasing my list of the best AI tools for third grade. These tools offer support for teachers with admin tasks and lesson planning, support students by creating a fun and engaging learning environment, and support parents with fun tech activities they can introduce to their children to support their education journey.
Before we get started, I want to touch on some important topics regarding AI in education. Of course, I want to promote forward thinking and embrace innovation with arms wide open. However, it is incredibly important that we find a balance between screen time and learning from the natural world around us. Incorporating movement when we can, bringing tactile elements into the learning environment, and pairing students to work together and share their thoughts and ideas. This approach proves to be the most effective in creating a healthy, balanced learning environment with AI in the picture.
Why AI is Valuable for Third Graders
There are many reasons why AI is beneficial and valuable for third graders. AI is proven to increase student engagement while supporting foundational skills like reading, writing, and math. The various adaptive learning platforms that have arisen with the introduction of AI helps students build their confidence by offering personalized, student-centered learning experiences.
The role of teachers in guiding responsible use of AI at this age is incredibly important. What teachers are finding is that students at this age have a lot of free screen time at home. And then at school, students often spend an average of 3-4 hours per day on their tablets or chromebooks. Teachers and parents have to start talking to their children about balancing screen time, and even discussing the inner workings of AI and the complex algorithms they interact with. AI is only becoming more advanced and integrated into our day-to-day, so it is super important that we teach kids young about AI, and promote the responsible use so they are set up for success.
AI Tools for Third Grade
1. Canva AI
Canva is an amazing teacher-approved tool that supports teachers with material designs for the classroom. Recently, Canva released their Magic AI tool, which leverages AI to create images or auto-generate designs with a simple prompt.
One way that teachers can use Canva with their third grade students is to assign students a “design a poster” project, where they have to use Canva AI. For example, have students design a poster to bring awareness about recycling, cleaning up pollution around their school or neighborhood, or really just solving any real-world problem. I can also see this being a great innovative replacement for a cereal box book project. There are so many different ways that teachers can use this AI tool for their students, this is where we can get creative alongside AI to come up with some really great ideas for our students.
2. Book Creator
Book Creator is an excellent AI tool for third grade that teachers can use in the classroom to help create children’s books. While the students aren’t directly using the AI, they play a crucial role in the creative process by collaborating to choose story elements.
Here’s an idea for how you can use this tool in your classroom. First, students work in groups to decide on key aspects of their story—like the setting, characters, and plot. Then, the teachers take these elements and input them into ChatGPT with a specific prompt:
“You are a children’s book author, write a very short story for an audience of 3rd graders using these story elements: Setting: Time: Main Character: Supporting Character: Problem: Theme.”
This gives the students the initial spark for their story. After the AI generates the first draft, students can begin to bring the story to life using Book Creator. This platform allows students to transition from text to visuals, adding illustrations and creating a page-by-page narrative. It’s a great way to get students involved in modern storytelling while also teaching them about the creative process in a digital world. Such a cool innovation that we can use in the classroom or at home to engage students and bring learning to life!
3. Teachally
Teachally is one of the most effective, teacher-approved AI tools out in the market right now. Every single teacher should have in their toolkit! This tool truly represents the future of personalized, inclusive education. It combines the essential pillars of compliance, exploration, and personalization in a way that elevates the learning experience to new heights. With its alignment with 400,000 national, state, AP, and specialized standards, it ensures that educators can confidently stay on track, while giving students the structure they need to thrive.
But what sets this tool apart is its focus on exploration and motivation. It offers a wealth of enrichments across all subjects and learning styles, from Science of Reading to HQIM self-checks, sparking curiosity and deepening engagement for every student. It’s about more than just meeting standards—it’s about inspiring a love of learning. Interested in a free demo with the founder? Secure your spot here and see the magic in action!
Moreover, this tool places a strong emphasis on diversity and personalization, giving teachers the flexibility to tailor lessons for each student. Differentiation tools and instant translation in over 100 languages ensure that every learner, regardless of background or ability, has the opportunity to succeed. This is the kind of tool that fosters success, motivation, and inclusivity—empowering educators to break down barriers and build a brighter, more accessible future for all students.
4. Adventure Academy
Adventure Academy is a great, comprehensive AI option for third grade. This tool gamifies the learning experience, standing as an immersive virtual universe for those seeking knowledge and adventure, offering a curriculum across key subjects, helping learners build essential skills. In Language Arts, students focus on reading, writing, comprehension, and spelling. Math practice includes multiplication, division, geometry, fractions, and word problems. Science encourages exploration of topics like forces, ecosystems, and atoms. Social Studies covers maps, history, geography, economics, and world cultures, offering a global perspective. This platform provides a dynamic way to master fundamental subjects.
Adventure Academy leverages AI to adapt to a child’s skill level to ensure continuous learning and by regulating chats between users. Parents can control the level of interaction through filtered chat, or block in-game communication entirely. They have a free trial for 30 days, then a pricing model of $7.99 a month.
5. Duolingo
Duolingo is a great AI tool for students to learn from. The combination of the charming green bird and kid friendly interface engages students in the language learning process. This AI tool is perfect for students learning English as a second language, as well as magnet schools who have a focus on dual-language learning.
This tool offers support for over 30 languages, includes tracking tools to monitor and support their child’s progress, and makes language learning fun and accessible. Duolingo leverages an AI model known as “Birdbrain,” which allows them to design Duolingo exercises and activities. It begins with a “prompt,” which is a detailed set of instructions that guides the AI on how to generate a specific Duolingo exercise. Think of the prompt as a personalized template—similar to a Mad Lib—that helps Duolingo craft engaging and effective language lessons. From personal experience, students at the third grade level love Duolingo, and I would highly recommend!
6. Brain Pop: AI Lesson Plan
Brain Pop has recently designed a lesson plan surrounding the topic of Artificial Intelligence for grades 3-5. It provides a great starting point for sparking curiosity and laying the foundation for deeper exploration of AI. By leveraging the interactive content, teachers can create a dynamic classroom environment where students not only learn about AI’s functions but also engage in hands-on activities to understand its real-world applications. The lesson plan is designed to guide students in recognizing how AI is already shaping the world around them and how they can begin to think critically about the role AI plays in everything from daily life to the global economy.
For parents, this resource offers a valuable opportunity to continue the learning process at home. The Brain Pop platform includes videos, quizzes, and activities that students can explore independently or with family members. Parents can use these resources to encourage discussions about AI in their everyday lives, helping their children to connect what they’re learning in the classroom to real-world examples. Whether it’s discussing how AI is used in entertainment, healthcare, or even smart home devices, parents can help students see the broad applications of AI and foster a deeper understanding of its implications.
7. Code.org – AI For Oceans
If you have been following along with my AI K-12 series, you may have seen that I mentioned Code.org AI for oceans previously. This tool is another great AI tool for third grade. It can act as an alternative avenue to learning about AI as it is formatted in a gamified approach. Students will first watch a short informational video about machine learning, and how to train machines using data. Then, students will put their knowledge into practice by sorting through garbage and fish while training their AI robot how to tell the difference! It’s a great activity for school, home, and just for fun!
8. Quick, Draw! by Google
Quick, Draw! is a fun and free AI tool developed by Google. It’s similar to Code.org in that it allows students to interact with AI and contribute data that helps train it. The game itself is simple yet engaging: students are given a prompt to draw an object or concept within 20 seconds while the AI tries to guess what they’re drawing in real-time. The fast-paced nature of the game makes it especially enjoyable for second graders, and it serves as a fantastic resource for teachers looking to add an interactive element to lessons on AI.
Schedule a Consultation with Teacher To Techie
Educator-to-educator, I know how demanding our schedules can be. With plans packed to the brim and long hours often stretching beyond the school day, finding the time to explore new tools—like AI—and integrate them into your classroom might feel overwhelming. Yet, the truth is, AI has the potential to change your life, both in and out of the classroom, and many teachers don’t realize just how much it can enhance their work.
That’s where Teacher To Techie comes in. If you’re seeking meaningful professional development or even considering a shift in your career, I’m here to support you. Through personalized consultations, I’ll provide you with tailored strategies designed to align with your teaching style, classroom environment, and school values. You’ll walk away feeling confident and empowered with the knowledge and tools to leverage AI in a way that works for you.
Here’s how our consultation will benefit you:
✰ Reduce time spent working outside of contract hours
✰ Enhance your Performance Evaluations with innovative, AI-driven techniques
✰ Build a personalized Techie Toolkit to streamline your school year
✰ Maximize student engagement and learning through forward-thinking, AI-supported methods
Our students will enter a world where AI plays an integral role in the workforce. It’s crucial that we, as educators, equip ourselves with the skills and tools to help our students navigate this landscape with confidence, responsibility, and ethics. During our consultation, I’ll provide you with practical, actionable ways to integrate AI into your teaching, guided by the latest best practices.
Ready to explore how AI can transform your classroom? Book a free 30-minute introduction call today, and let’s start empowering you to thrive with AI in your teaching practice.
Conclusion
From adaptive learning platforms to material design, there are so many different ways that we can use AI for our students. For teachers, parents, and homeschoolers, the key lies in selecting tools that not only reinforce foundational skills but also foster creativity and critical thinking. I hope this blog article provides you with a new perspective on how you can use AI in your classroom or at home to bring learning one step further!
