Price: free
Overall Score: 89/100
version reviewed: 1.4
reviewed:
What it is: phonics and spelling practice (320 words, 3 levels of difficulty + focus on one sound mode + 'movable alphabet' activity). The crosswords range from single words to 3 word crosswords.
What you do with it: using image clues spell the words by dragging the required letters into place.
The 'movable alphabet' activity lets you create and play with letters/words.
What we liked: the concept, good educational value (number and choice of words), easy operation, visual clues, many adjustable options, tips for parents.
What we didn't like: no proper 'progress monitor' (just a simple completed word counter. No rewards system (the 'interactive animation' with bubbles may not be sufficient to keep kids occupied).
Appysmarts
Android
Android
Android
Android
Android
Android
Android
Android
Price: free
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 89/100
version reviewed: 1.1
reviewed:
What it is: spelling practice with the vehicles/garage theme (about 50 words). Simple bonus musical activity.
What you do with it: spell the words using the set of letters provided to unveil a picture of a vehicle, tool , shape etc.
Review the learned items at the 'garage' scene (where you can also play with various vehicles).
What we liked: simple illustrations. Ease of use.
What we didn't like: only 50 words. Limited play options in the garage scene (you just start/stop random vehicles). The spelling activity could have more educational value. Links to Facebook and Twitter as a part of the main menu.
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 1.99$
Overall Score: 89/100
version reviewed: 1.03
reviewed:
What it is: a pack of 6 activities for early reading and writing practice (mostly 3-5 letter words and basic sight words).
What you do with it: set up and (optionally) configure the account for a child (range of activities and difficulty level). The activities include: tracing letters (trace letters with your finger), rhyming maze (connect the words that rhyme), phonics bridge (find the missing sound in a word), spelling stone (drag letters to the correct place to spell a word), sight birds (collect the sight words on the screen), word wall (find hidden words).
The difficulty level will be adjusted automatically as you progress.
There is also a simple rewards system with stickers.
What we liked:the concept, good educational value, simple but engaging tasks, wide range of early-reading/writing topics (spelling, phonics,letters,tracing etc), lively graphics and animations, spoken instructions, visual hints, multiple user accounts with customization options, locked out 'parent menu'.
What we didn't like: the activities can get repetitive after some time. We wish there were more activities focusing on phonics.
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 3.99$
Overall Score: 88/100
version reviewed: 0.9.9
reviewed:
What it is and what you do with it: a set of activities for spelling, word construction and word recognition practice. 4 sets of themed activities (with 8 various activities (spelling, finding missing letters, recognizing words etc, 160 words.
Complete a set activities to play a short mini-game (e.g. prepare an ice cream or decorate a kite). Finish all sets to unlock the final interactive picnic scene.
What we liked: the concept. Good range of activities. Spoken instructions and visual clues. Ease of use. Simple graphics and animations. No distracting elements.
What we didn't like:the reward mini-games may not be too engaging for older kids. We wish there were more configuration options (choice of words, types of activities for practice etc).
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 4.99$
Overall Score: 88/100
version reviewed: 1.3.0
reviewed:
What it is: an app for improving spelling and reading skills, contains over 450 high frequency words divided into 42 lists organized by spelling patterns and difficulty levels.
What you do with it: choose the word set, then listen to the instructions and examples and try to spell words correctly using the on-screen keyboard.
What we liked:the concept, wide range of learning material, the way the learning material is presented (extensive use of text and audio instructions and hints), simple to use interface, support for multiple user accounts (with separate word stats for every user), support for American, British and Canadian English spelling, very high educational value.
What we didn't like: could be a bit more appealing visually, in addition to the help menu we would like to see some sort of instructions/guidance for parents.
Bottom line: an excellent choice for teachers and parents (you may want to check out the other apps from the 'Simplex Spelling' series, too).
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 4.99$
Overall Score: 88/100
version reviewed: 1.7.2
reviewed:
What it is: an app for improving spelling and reading skills, contains over 260 high frequency sight words divided into 26 lists organized by spelling patterns and difficulty levels.
What you do with it: choose the word set, then listen to the instructions and examples and try to spell words correctly using the on-screen keyboard.
What we liked:the concept, wide range of learning material, the way the learning material is presented (extensive use of text and audio instructions and hints, sample sentences), simple to use interface, support for multiple user accounts (with separate word stats for every user), support for American, British and Canadian English spelling, very high educational value.
What we didn't like: could be a bit more appealing visually. Navigation is not consistent. In addition to the help menu we would like to see some sort of instructions/guidance for parents.
Bottom line: an excellent choice for teachers and parents (we recommend the whole Simplex Spelling series of apps).
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 1.99$
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 87/100
version reviewed: 3.0
reviewed:
What it is: a memory game with over 600 words for enhancing reading and spelling skills.
What you do with it: play the memory game with words (instead of pictures like in the 'classic' memory game). Match pairs of words by either reading or listening to them. 3 play modes: single player, two players (where kids take turns) or player against the 'computer'. There is additional minigame which can be played between the main memory games.
What we liked: the concept, easy operation, good educational value, number and choice of words (short vowel words, long vowel words, sight words), many configuration options (uppercase/lowercase, word lists, 6/12/18 tiles), clear pronunciation of all of the words, the visual prompt option (to take a quick look at the cards).
What we didn't like: dull graphics, big ad for other apps from the developer, no rewards system (could be helpful as the game can get boring after a while), the scoring system is not kid-friendly. The extra minigame is very basic (you just tap a 'similar' dinosaur and that's it).
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 3.99$ (was 4.99$)
Overall Score: 87/100
version reviewed: 1.1.0
reviewed:
What it is/what you do with it: an arcade-style game for spelling practice.
18 levels (with increasing difficulty), over 3000 words.
What we liked: the concept. Great range of words to practice (the choice of words is based on the research from the team behind the Oxford Dictionaries for children). Ease of use. Multiple user accounts. The Dictionary feature with pronunciation and definitions. No distracting elements.
What we didn't like: we wish there was more variety in the game (can quickly get repetitive). Only random word play mode - no option to choose specific words or create user-defined word lists for practice. We wish there was an easy 'unlimited time/unlimited errors' mode.
Appysmarts
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 2.99$
Overall Score: 87/100
version reviewed: 3.6
reviewed:
What it is: phonics and spelling practice (320 words, 3 levels of difficulty + focus on one sound mode + 'movable alphabet' activity). The crosswords range from single words to 3 word crosswords.
What you do with it: using image clues spell the words by dragging the required letters into place.
The 'movable alphabet' activity lets you create and play with letters/words.
What we liked: the concept, good educational value (number and choice of words), easy operation, visual clues, many adjustable options, tips for parents.
What we didn't like: no proper 'progress monitor' (just a simple completed word counter. No rewards system (the 'interactive animation' with bubbles may not be sufficient to keep kids occupied).
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: free (was 2.99$)
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 87/100
version reviewed: 1.0.4
reviewed:
What it is: an app for teaching letters, phonics and spelling (about 100 words).
What you do with it: drag the letters to the right place to spell the words (letter sounds/phonics practice). The words will be read aloud, and spelled either letter by letter or by phonics (depending on the mode). The advanced modes don't include the visual clues (spelling practice).
What we liked: the concept, quality graphics, easy operation, voice clues, additional interactive elements, overall 'look and feel' and quality of the app. Good educational approach (inclusion of both letters and phonics, choice of words). Good progress/scoring tool.
What we didn't like: range of words could be wider. The progress will not be saved when you close the app. Audio quality could be a little better. The activities are rather repetitive.
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
