Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock answers to your Fishtank questions
Welcome, School Builders and Educators
At Fishtank, we know that being an individual teacher or a microschool leader sometimes means wearing a lot of hats, all at once. You are the Chief Academic Officer, the IT Support, the Purchasing Department, and—most importantly—the heart of the classroom. We built this dedicated FAQ to give you the information you need to get up and running on your own terms. Whether you are teaching five students in a living room or thirty students in a public school classroom, we’re here to help you skip line and get straight to teaching and learning.
Getting Started & Pricing
Is the Fishtank curriculum really free?
Yes. Our core curriculum (lesson plans and high-level unit maps) are open-source and free for anyone to use. You can create a free account today and start teaching immediately.
Will my free account ever expire?
No. Your access to the core materials remains active as long as your account exists. We will never "lock" your free content behind a trial period.
What is the difference between Individual and School packages?
For you, it’s all about the $129 Individual Plus subscription. While "School" packages include admin tools and site-wide onboarding, the Individual license gives a single teacher full access to premium features (assessments, Teacher Tools, detailed lesson guidance) for a specific course.
How do I get my Individual Plus subscription?
You don't need to wait for an invitation. Simply upgrade via credit card for instant access.
Do you take purchase orders (POs) for Individual subscriptions?
No, but we do accept Credit Card. Credit card payments grant instant access.
Can I share my subscription?
No. One license per teacher.
Microschool & Classroom Logistics
I run a mixed-age/multi-grade microschool. How do I use Fishtank?
Many microschools use a "bridge" approach. We recommend looking at the "Unit Launches" for both grades to find overlapping themes. You can often teach the core ELA concept to the whole group while differentiating the writing tasks.
Is professional learning available if I purchase an individual subscription?
Yes, but in a "self-service" format. While live, facilitated professional development sessions are reserved for school-wide All-Access licenses.
As an individual leader or teacher, you get access to:
Unit Launches: These are mini, on-demand PD modules for every unit. They include short videos, targeted readings, and reflection prompts created by our curriculum designers to help you internalize the content, standards, and "Big Ideas" before you teach Day 1.
Teacher Tools: This is a deep library of instructional guides. If you aren’t sure how to facilitate a "Socratic Seminar" or a "Number Talk" in a small group setting, these tools provide the step-by-step "how-to" guidance that a coach would typically provide in person.
Can I purchase a license for a small group (fewer than 15 students)?
Yes. If you want the benefits of a school site license (including the Fishtank Student digital platform), we offer an All-Access License with a 10-student minimum per course.
What if I only have 1â5 students?
For very small groups or individual tutors, the Individual Plus ($129/course) is the most cost-effective path. Please note: Individual subscriptions are for teacher-facing resources only and do not include access to the Fishtank Student platform.
How do I handle "Materials & Texts" without a school library?
We provide comprehensive "Unit Resource" lists. For individual teachers, we recommend our curated partner Bookshop.org to buy exactly what you need without bulk-ordering hurdles.
Can I access my materials offline or print them?
Yes. Every lesson and assessment can be printed or saved as a PDF. This is ideal if you are teaching in a space without reliable Wi-Fi or prefer a paper-pencil approach for your students.
What length of class period is each lesson designed for?
Most lessons are designed for 50–60 minutes.
Support & Family Engagement
Does Fishtank Plus include "Family/Parent Guides"?
Yes. In Fishtank Plus, we provide Family Letters in ELA and Family Guides in Math. These are perfect for microschool leaders to send home so parents can support the specific concepts being taught that week.
I don't recognize a term or routine. Where can I get clarity?
Head to our Teacher Tools section. Since you may not have a "Curriculum Coach" down the hall, these guides act as your on-demand mentor for specific routines like "Close Reading" or "Number Talks."