That said, I still am not happy with any curriculum I have come across for the PreK-2nd grade level. In my never ending curriculum search, I came across some great iPad apps recently. I thought I would put the full review, including what my 3, 4, and almost 7 year old children thought of the apps.
PreK-2nd grade students, and their current reading level:
Cory- nearly 7 years old, struggling reader, but knows his ABC's and letter sounds.
Katharine- 4 years old, knows ABC's and letter sounds, hasn't figured out how to sound words out yet.
Gregory- 3 years old, still working on ABC's and letter sounds.
Apps for education:
Phonics:
Pocket Phonics
Shows letter, says letter, has them trace the letter. After a few letters, they have you put the sounds together to form a short word. Tracing has to be close to correct or they have to redo the letter. Has a dot with where to start and an arrow pointing in the direction they need to go. To put the short word together, they ask what letter makes the 'iii' sound. Then sounds the word out with them. Has a corresponding picture once the word is together.
Katharine- right at her level, enjoyed playing.
Gregory-slightly above his level, but he hung with it and really enjoyed the app.
Cory-said it was 'boring', a bit below his level.
Lite version has 6 sounds: s, t, i, a, p and n. Also only lets you have one child have an account. The full version (2.99), allows more accounts and has more sounds. Note: the full version requires iOS 6.0 or better.
Decision: Will likely buy the full version so Gregory and Katharine can have their own accounts and get all the letter sounds. I will probably wait until I review all the apps to make sure this is the best one out there. Seems so unlikely since it was the first one I did! lol.
Word Magic
Shows a picture of a word, and you can choose the beginning, middle or end of a word for them to fill in one letter that is missing.
Lite version has 5 words, full version has 100+ words.
Gregory- n/a
Katharine- not quite to her level. Got frustrated quickly.
Cory- a little more to his level, but didn't quite hold his attention.
Decision: Will likely leave on the iPad (free version), but won't pay for the full version. Needs a bit more interaction.
iww (iwritewords)
If I were to pick a perfect app, this would be it. They have the choice of numbers, letters or words. First you trace the word, guided by a red monster that has to follow the number in the correct order, make sure you stay close to the numbers and hit them all in the right order or you have to start over! Once you finish the letter/number/word, you can either drag and drop or tilt the iPad to get the tiles into the hole.
Lite version limited to 3 letters and 3 words.
Full version, $2.99.
Gregory- saw K playing and was fighting for his turn! Once he got his turn he was HOOKED.
Katharine- loved it, kept her attention for quite awhile.
Cory-a bit below his level for letters/numbers, but great for reviewing letter formation, and great practice on a few sight words.
Decision: Bought full version. :) That said, probably not an app they will likely pick up and use on their own, but will be great to use as part of my electronic curriculum for them.
More reviews to come as I get time to download and have the kids test them out!! :)
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Online educational sites that have passed the test of time on Cory:
Starfall.com (we currently use the full version, more star fall, which was $35/year. Unsure if we will renew when it runs out.)
primary games.com (specifically the sight words section, FREE)
abcmouse.com (Cory's favorite. He asks to play all the time. For one subscription, you can have 3 separate children's accounts. $7.95/month or $80 for a year. We paid for the full year. Cory will probably beg us to renew it.)
yourchildlearns.com (specifically the letter sounds section, FREE)
Teachyourmonstertoread.com (another of Cory's favorites. Provided by Usborne. This one is FREE)
Redapplereading.com (got a deal on this through groupon. Original price is 6 months $39, lifetime standard $69, lifetime premium $89. Can't remember what one I got. This one doesn't quite hold Cory's attention as much as abcmouse or teach your monster, but it has really user friendly parental progress reports.)
webkinz.com (just for fun! They do have a free section now, but of course if you buy a webkinz stuffed animal that has the code it opens up more games and items for your pets.)
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List I am working from to do reviews (other ideas/suggestions welcome!)
Learn to read:
pocket phonics (lite available, 2.99 full version requires iOS 6.0 or better)
reading for kids (?? couldn't find this one)
word magic (lite available, .99 for full version)
iwritewords (lite version available, 2.99 for full version)
learn to read - four letter words (.99)
ABC phonics animals (lite available, )
rock ’n learn phonics easy reader
Booksy (free, requires iOS 6.0 or better)
my word wall
story patch
learn to read!
reading raven
K-3 sight words
Aesop’s Quest
Read me stories
kids can spell
Bob Books #1, #2
Martha Speaks Dog Party
Learn with Homer
Starfall learn to read
Feel Electric!
Starfall $2.99
Hooked on Phonics (free)
sight words list (free)
games to learn to read (free)
first phonics and letters (free)
ABC phonics & sight words (free)
ABC’s:
Letter lab
ABC alphabet phonics
super why!
C is for Cow
Elmo loves ABC’s
Montessori Letter sounds HD
Eggy Alphabet
Eggy Alphabet
Speech:
The articulation Carnival
Articulation Games
The phonological processes
Farm academy (infant - 3yo)
quick arctic
articulation station
speech with milo articulation board game
Articulate it!
I dare you articulation
Geography:
Stack the states
Math:
Zombie math
Other:
Brain Bop
Brain Pop
A+ Speller
