Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 -- English
By Dana Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Well-planned lessons will challenge, encourage learners.
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Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 -- English
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What’s It About?
Kids choose a spelling list to begin their test. The correct number of red boxes for the letters in the first word appear, then a voice speaks the word and says it in a sentence (homonyms may confuse the speller without context). Tap or drag and drop the correct letter, and the box turns green. If kids choose an incorrect letter, the box stays red. Press "hint" to make other letters pop up and get more verbal clues. Kids can't spell a new word until the current one is correct. Success messages pop up when a kid gets a word right.
Is It Any Good?
SIMPLEX SPELLING PHONICS will help kids on their quest to become better spellers and readers. The lists are both organized by letter or sound and equally as challenging as they are learning-level appropriate. Not just standard, common words are used. The list for the short "o" sound, for example, uses the word "icon," thereby stretching the student's vocabulary as well. Sometimes, the phonics explanations in the "hints" section that the narrator-teacher offers students may be too long for some younger kids to listen to all the way through. Some of the words that the app uses to praise kids when they get words right are big (such as "Impressive!") and just show up on the screen without being spoken, so younger kids may have no idea what the app has just said after they get the word right. Other times, the praise is offered verbally ("You did a good job working through that list.").
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Release date: December 10, 2011
- Category: Education
- Publisher: Pyxwise Software Inc.
- Version: 1.1.0
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 4.0 or later
- Last updated: August 19, 2016
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