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Freefall Spelling
Common Sense says
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- $1.99
- Education
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Freefall Spelling is an enjoyable, simple app for young kids who are just learning to spell. All three modes of play on Freefall Spelling --Freefall, Scramble, and Type -- include a friendly voice speaking the words that are also shown in a drawing. Then kids match or insert letters to form words in a series of rounds, and all rounds reward kids with fish and other items to put into an animated fish tank. In Freefall Mode, kids must work fast because the letters are falling at a quick pace and once they're gone, you lose your chance to earn a new fishy reward for your tank. A fun, multi-setting first spelling practice experience.
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What's it about?
As kids playing Freefall Spelling swipe a finger on the screen to move dropping letters into the right spots, they spell words that match the corresponding pictures. Three modes to choose from, Freefall, Type, and Scramble. In Freefall Mode, spellers have to work fast because the letters are falling at a quick pace. Once they get a certain number right, kids win items for an in-app fish tank. Parents can build their own customized lists or choose from 150+ pre-programmed words.
Is it any good?
With two levels -- one with "hints" and the other with more challenging words and no letter hints -- FREEFALL SPELLING is a great choice for pre-spellers and new spellers to practice letter recognition and basic word building. Words like "Cat" and "Bee" start off the rounds, progressing to "Lego" and "Mouse." In between rounds, kids earn fish tank rewards. The voice accompanying the app is encouraging, but the music is somewhat annoying (you can turn it off in settings). Perhaps the best part of this app is the handmade drawings that are both inviting and calming -- just like the app itself.
Talk to your kids about ...
Create a new spelling list on the app for your kid based on words he or she is learning at school or words from a favorite learn-to-read book.
Talk to kids about working under pressure. If the pace of the app seems stressful for them, reassure them that it's OK to take their time and they will get faster as they play the game.
App details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Subjects: Language & Reading: letter or word recognition, spelling
- Skills: Emotional Development: handling stress
Thinking & Reasoning: part-whole relationships
Self-Direction: working efficiently - Price: $1.99
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Release date: October 31, 2012
- Category: Education
- Size: 65.00 MB
- Publisher: Merge Mobile
- Version: 2.4
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 4.3 or later
For kids who love practicing spelling and vocabulary
Our editors recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.