Free and Low-Cost Resources Every GED Teacher Should Use in the Classroom
Teaching GED classes presents unique challenges. Your students come from diverse backgrounds with varying educational experiences, learning gaps, and often complex lives outside the classroom. As a GED instructor, you need flexible, accessible resources that can meet these varied needs without breaking your budget.
This comprehensive guide highlights the best free and low-cost resources available to GED teachers today, organized by subject area and teaching need. Whether you’re a seasoned instructor or new to GED preparation, these tools will enhance your teaching toolkit and help your students succeed.
General GED Preparation Resources
1. GED Testing Service
The official GED website offers free sample questions, practice tests, and study guides. Their free GED Ready® practice test gives students a prediction of their likely score on the actual exam.
- Website: GED.com
- Cost: Basic resources are free; some premium materials require payment
2. Khan Academy
While not specifically designed for GED, Khan Academy’s lessons align well with GED content, especially in math and science.
- Website: KhanAcademy.org
- Cost: 100% free
- Highlight: Personalized learning dashboards allow you to track student progress
3. CK-12 Foundation
Interactive textbooks, videos, and exercises covering all GED subjects.
- Website: CK12.org
- Cost: Free
- Highlight: FlexBooks® platform allows customization of content
4. Light and Salt Learning
Designed specifically for adult education with GED-focused content.
- Website: LightAndSaltLearning.org
- Cost: Free
- Highlight: Created by a GED teacher with practical classroom experience
5. Wild and Wacky Worksheets
Worksheets and Activities for GED students.
- Website: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/wild-and-wacky-worksheets
- Cost: Free and low cost
- Highlight: Created by a GED teacher with over 20 years of classroom experience. Includes many supplemental resources for students who need extra practice.
Subject-Specific Resources
Mathematics
1. Desmos Graphing Calculator
An online graphing calculator that’s permitted on the GED math test.
- Website: Desmos.com
- Cost: Free
- Classroom Use: Create activities using the Activity Builder feature
2. Mathway
Step-by-step solution explanations for a wide range of math problems.
- Website: Mathway.com
- Cost: Basic use free; detailed solutions require subscription
3. Purplemath
Clear lessons on algebra topics with examples.
- Website: Purplemath.com
- Cost: Free
4. Wild and Wacky Worksheets
Several math worksheets, games, and activities
- Website: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/wild-and-wacky-worksheets/category-ged-math-preparation-for-the-math-portion-of-the-ged-1276746
- Cost: Free and low cost
Language Arts
1. ReadWorks
Reading comprehension passages with questions, vocabulary, and paired texts.
- Website: ReadWorks.org
- Cost: Free for educators
- Highlight: Filters allow selection by Lexile level and content
2. Newsela
Current events articles adjusted to multiple reading levels.
- Website: Newsela.com
- Cost: Basic access free; premium features require subscription
- Highlight: Perfect for teaching extended response writing with real-world context
3. Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
Comprehensive writing, grammar, and citation resources.
- Website: owl.purdue.edu
- Cost: Free
- Highlight: Exceptional grammar guides and writing process explanations
4. Wild and Wacky Worksheets
Lots of worksheets designed specifically for RLA prep.
- Website: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/wild-and-wacky-worksheets/category-ged-language-arts-preparation-for-the-reasoning-through-language-arts-ged-test-1276749
- Cost: Free and low cost
- Highlight: Excellent RLA prep resources
Science
1. PhET Interactive Simulations
Visual, interactive science simulations from the University of Colorado Boulder.
- Website: phet.colorado.edu
- Cost: Free
- Highlight: Makes abstract science concepts concrete and interactive
2. OpenStax
College-level textbooks in biology, chemistry, and physics—excellent for advanced GED students.
- Website: OpenStax.org
- Cost: Free
- Highlight: Complete textbooks available in PDF format
3. NASA Education Resources
Science lessons, videos, and activities related to space science.
- Website: NASA.gov/education
4. Wild and Wacky Worksheets
A plethora of science worksheets and activities.
Social Studies
1. iCivics
Interactive games and lessons on government, civics, and history.
- Website: iCivics.org
- Cost: Free
- Highlight: Game-based learning makes civics engaging
2. Stanford History Education Group
Reading like a historian curriculum with primary source documents.
- Website: sheg.stanford.edu
- Cost: Free with registration
- Highlight: Document-based question approach mirrors GED-style analysis
3. Library of Congress Teachers Resources
Primary source documents, teaching guides, and activities.
- Website: LOC.gov/teachers
- Cost: Free
4. Wild and Wacky Worksheets
Worksheets and Escape Rooms created for GED preparation
Cost: Free and Low Cost
Highlight: Many Social Studies students need for extra practice. Great for early finishers.
Teaching Tools and Classroom Management
1. Google Workspace for Education
Suite of tools including Google Classroom, Forms, Docs, and Slides.
- Website: edu.google.com
- Cost: Free basic suite
- Highlight: Google Forms allows creation of self-grading quizzes
2. Canva for Education
Design platform for creating worksheets, presentations, and visual aids.
- Website: Canva.com/education
- Cost: Free for educators
- Highlight: Templates save time when creating materials
3. Quizlet
Create flashcards and learning games for vocabulary and concept review.
- Website: Quizlet.com
- Cost: Basic features free; premium features require subscription
- Highlight: Live quiz feature great for classroom review
4. Kahoot!
Interactive quiz platform that turns review into a game.
- Website: Kahoot.com
- Cost: Basic features free; premium features available
- Highlight: Engages students through friendly competition
Assessment and Practice Test Resources
1. Quizizz
Create engaging assessments and homework with gamification elements.
- Website: Quizizz.com
- Cost: Free basic version
- Highlight: Student-paced format works well for diverse learners
2. Essential Education – GED Academy
Comprehensive GED test prep with detailed analytics on student performance.
- Website: EssentialEd.com
- Cost: Free trial; subscription for full access
- Highlight: Adaptive learning paths customize to student needs
3. IXL Learning
Practice questions with immediate feedback in all GED subjects.
- Website: IXL.com
- Cost: Limited free practice; subscription for full access
- Highlight: Detailed analytics identify specific skill gaps
4. Wild and Wacky Worksheets
Practice tests
Website: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/GED-Practice-Test-Bundle-4-full-length-tests-12939237
Cost: Low Cost
Highlight: Bundle of GED practice tests
Digital Literacy Resources
1. GCFLearnFree.org
Basic computer skills tutorials essential for GED test-taking.
- Website: GCFLearnFree.org
- Cost: Free
- Highlight: Covers basics from using a mouse to navigating online tests
2. DigitalLearn.org
Short, self-directed modules on basic computer and internet skills.
- Website: DigitalLearn.org
- Cost: Free
- Highlight: Perfect for students with limited technology experience
Strategies for Implementing Resources Effectively
Build a Blended Learning Environment
Combine digital resources with traditional teaching methods:
- Use online resources for homework and extended practice
- Reserve classroom time for discussion, clarification, and application
- Create stations where students rotate through different activities using various resources
Differentiate Instruction
Use the variety of resources to address different learning needs:
- Visual learners: PhET simulations, videos from Khan Academy
- Kinesthetic learners: Interactive games, manipulatives paired with digital exploration
- Reading/writing preference: ReadWorks passages, OpenStax texts
- Auditory learners: Videos, read-aloud features in various platforms
Develop Digital Literacy Alongside GED Content
Many adult learners need digital skills for both the GED test and future employment:
- Begin the course with basic computer skills using GCFLearnFree
- Gradually introduce more complex digital tasks
- Create scavenger hunts that require navigation of GED resources
- Assign “tech buddies” to pair more and less experienced tech users
Create Custom Pathways
Not all students need the same resources:
- Use pre-assessments to identify each student’s strengths and weaknesses
- Create custom resource lists for individual students
- Hold brief one-on-one conferences to review progress and adjust resource recommendations
Funding Resources and Grants
Even free resources sometimes require supporting technology or professional development. Consider these funding sources:
- Dollar General Literacy Foundation
- Grants for adult literacy programs
- DGLiteracy.org
- ProLiteracy
- National adult literacy organization with grant opportunities
- ProLiteracy.org
- National Literacy Directory
- Connects programs with funding opportunities
- NationalLiteracyDirectory.org
- Local Community Foundations
- Many communities have foundations that support adult education initiatives
Conclusion
With these free and low-cost resources, GED teachers can create dynamic, differentiated learning environments that meet diverse student needs. The key to success is not using every resource, but strategically selecting and combining tools that address your specific classroom challenges and student needs.
Remember that the most valuable resource in any GED classroom remains the teacher who curates these materials, provides context, and offers the encouragement adult learners often need to persist through challenges. These digital tools should enhance—never replace—the human connection at the heart of effective adult education.
By leveraging these resources wisely, you can stretch limited budgets while providing your students with world-class educational materials that prepare them not just for the GED test, but for lifelong learning and career success.
