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Word Wall HD
Common Sense Media says
Creative games offer great practice in early reading skills.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Word Wall HD teaches early reading skills through four colorful, creative games that are easy enough for very young pre-readers to play, yet increasingly challenging enough for new readers further along the path to practice their skills in fun, engaging ways. Kids practice building and recognizing words through the use of word families (building many words containing the "am," "at," or "ug" combinations, for example) and sight words. There are also cute stickers and a "word wall" for kids to collect favorites.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn word recognition and word building, as well as phonics-based letter sounds with Word Wall HD. Players practice these early reading skills through four colorful games that are easy enough for very young pre-readers to play, yet increasingly challenging for more advanced readers. Kids can build and try to recognize words through the use of word families (e.g., building words containing the -am or -ug combinations) and sight words. Parents must sign up for the free SmarTots service to get feedback about their child's progress. More complexity and interactivity would give Word Wall a boost in solidifying early reading concepts.
Subjects
- Arts
- Hobbies
- Language & Readingletter or word recognition, reading
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Direction
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoningprediction, solving puzzles, whole/part relationships
What's it about?
Word Wall HD has four basic games as well as two options to practice matching (via drag-and-drop) letters and words. The multisensory approach is based on the idea that kids should "see," "hear," "play," and "write" to learn pre-reading skills. The games "See and Find," "Hide a Word," "Bubble Words," and "Jigsaw Words" are all similar to other game concepts kids may have already encountered online or off. Kids get cute in-app stickers as rewards and a "word wall" on which to post the stickers and their favorite words.
Is it any good?
WORD WALL HD provides young kids a great place to practice word recognition and word building through simple, minimal-stress games. Kids who have different ways of processing language will probably find something on this app that appeals to them since it uses a combination of learning styles. The "Bubble Words" game, in which players have to choose from letters floating in bubbles to form the word that matches the picture on the screen, is probably the most challenging game. Other games on the app either allow you to set an "easy" or "hard" level or are simple enough for young learners to enjoy even if they cannot read the words presented in the game.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn word recognition and word building, as well as phonics-based letter sounds with Word Wall HD. Players practice these early reading skills through four colorful games that are easy enough for very young pre-readers to play, yet increasingly challenging for more advanced readers. Kids can build and try to recognize words through the use of word families (e.g., building words containing the -am or -ug combinations) and sight words. Parents must sign up for the free SmarTots service to get feedback about their child's progress. More complexity and interactivity would give Word Wall a boost in solidifying early reading concepts.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading: letter or word recognition, reading
- Math:
- Science:
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication:
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction:
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning: prediction, solving puzzles, whole/part relationships
How kids will learn
World Wall HD reinforces key concepts through gameplay. .
How parents can help
- Sign up for the free SmarTots service connected to this app to get learning reports and more ideas for further targeted activities.
- Take some of these games -- such as the memory matching game or the puzzles -- offline and create your own versions with your kid's weekly school spelling list.
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| Category: | Education |
| Platforms: | iPad |
| Price: | $.99 |
| Size: | 34.70 MB |
| Publisher: | Emantras Inc |
| Version: | 1.2 |
| Release date: | July 17, 2011 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 4.2 or later |
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