R Spelling Apps Good 4 U?

Nowadays it seems our kids are inundated with technology, almost from the time they’re born! Whether it’s the latest must-have toys and games or going online to download next week’s homework assignment, technology is everywhere. Even my 20 month old son knows how to swipe his finger across mommy’s phone to make colors and shapes react! But is it all it’s cracked up to be?   Some experts worry that children are sacrificing basic skills such as verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, and even spelling as a result of this always-on-the-go tech world. The reality of course is that it’s not always easy to get your son or daughter to take interest in anything that isn’t online. So why not embrace technology and use it to our advantage as parents? For example, check out these easy-to-use spelling apps to get your children’s attention, and speak to them in a language they really get – IMHO, these apps R 2 cool! <3   Clifford’s BE BIG with Words (0.99¢), from PBS Kids, is a spelling app that helps children practice spelling three letter words. Kids are guided toward spelling words by choosing from a selection of letters. Once a word is completed each letter is read out loud. Additionally, each word is pronounced showing kids the connection between sounds, words and their spellings — building an understanding of words through alphabetic and phonemic awareness. No need to worry about spelling mistakes — the app is designed so that whatever letter kids choose will spell a word.   Bob Books #2: Reading Magic HD ($3.99) is an interactive book app that uses spelling, repetition, and phonics to build beginning reading skills. Each 12-page book can be played at 4 different difficulty levels — beginning readers drag and drop letters to match words while the app sounds out the letters and reads the word aloud, more advanced readers select letters on their own. Children’s efforts are rewarded when the black and white illustration fill with color and become animated.   Licking Letters (0.99¢) is an app that helps kids practice identifying capital letters and spelling three-letter words. Players, with the help of Hoppy the Frog, complete words by tapping the letters as they move across the screen. Hoppy then licks the letter to add it to the word. The first few rounds have three-letter words and only include the target letters, but the app gradually increases in difficulty. Completing a round earns a coin, which can be used to buy costume items for the frog.   Word Magic (0.99¢) a basic spelling app. For each word, the game presents a picture illustrating the word and the missing letter or letters has to be guessed. Difficulty options include: missing one letter or two letters, word lengths, upper or lower case letters, and if the missing letter(s) are at the beginning, middle, or end or words. As the game progresses, it provides a running total of right and wrong spellings, provides ongoing positive reinforcement sound effects, and awards prizes as the child progresses.   Pogg Spelling and Verbs (0.99¢) Pogg is a little green alien that acts out spelled words. There are two modes: pictures and spelling. Picture mode offers children that are not yet spelling an icon of the word, when clicked the word is read out loud, and Pogg performs the word. The spelling mode lets the child freely type words into the “What should Pogg do now?” box, encouraging kids to experiment with spelling basic words, and showing short movie clips of Pogg doing that action — for example, typing “hat” results in a short movie of Pogg putting on a hat). The spelling dictionary offers over 300 word/phrase combinations and the developer plans to release many extra word animations as free upgrades to everybody who purchases the app.   EXTRA CREDIT: To download a full list of iPad compatible spelling apps from the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA), click here.   Think your child might need some extra help with spelling and an app won’t cut it? Call Club Z! today at 800-434-2582 for a FREE tutoring lesson.