Little Speller First Words

Price: $0.99
Grade Recommendation: K - 3rd
Subject: Reading
Specific Skill: Spelling
Levels: N/A
Players: 1
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

Wow! I am quite impressed with how much this spelling app can be customized to meet students' needs. It features over 1,000 words already, but you can even add (and delete) words too.

Once the app begins, a picture is shown along with the letters needed to spell the word. The app also states the intended word. Students then have to drag the letters in the correct order to spell it. Immediate feedback is given.

That's the gist of the app, but there are so many ways to customize it - making it easier or more challenging. You can turn on/off the following: sound, word hints, visual hints, letter hints, and letter repeat. Also, the order of the words can be alphabetical or random. The letter order can be left to right or in any order. You can even use all lowercase, all uppercase, or capitalized letters. Also, you can customize the length of the words. But perhaps the most beneficial customization option is the ability to control the word library.

This app is a must-have for classrooms with younger students in it. At this price point, it's a steal!

Word Topple

Price: Free! (99 cents for ad-free version)
Grade Recommendation: 3rd and up
Subject: Reading
Specific Skill: Spelling and vocabulary
Levels: 12
Players: 1
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

The object of the game is to form words in order to topple buildings and other structures. Words can be formed by swiping a finger across letter blocks or tapping each letter individually. The final letter in each word needs to be double-tapped to 'play' that word.

The letter tiles used to form an acceptable word 'fall', disrupting the building or structure. Longer words cause more damage than shorter ones. The user clears a level by getting all of the blocks below the checkered line (after causing damage) - so strategy comes into play as well as word sense.

I like how the app provides the definition for all acceptable words.

Even the ad version is recommended; this is a fun little word game that students will enjoy.

ABC Spelling Magic 2 - Consonant Blends

Price: Free!
Grade Recommendation: K - 2nd
Subject: Reading
Specific Skill: Spelling and phonics
Levels: 2
Players: 1
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

I'm quite impressed with this free app. It focuses on consonant blends and is the perfect way to tackle spelling and phonics instruction.

Children have a choice between 2 levels/activities:

Word Jumble: They're shown a picture and the letters (out of order) that spell the picture. They must arrange the letters to correctly spell the word. When a letter is selected, the device says its sound. The app is self-correcting; letters put in an incorrect spot will automatically 'bounce' out of that spot. There are 7 categories of single consonant blends (animals, outdoors, actions, people, home, work, and items). But you can also choose between double or even triple blends!

Moveable Alphabet: This level/activity is more challenging because the needed letters are not provided for the user. Rather, the entire alphabet is presented. The consonants appear in red and the vowels are in blue. The categories and choice of double or even triple blends remain.

The app can be customized even more by turning the following features on or off: letter sounds, letter hints, and double letter helper.

This is an excellent free app; it should be on every iPad or iPod Touch that will be used with early learners.

Word Domino

Price: $0.99
Grade Recommendation: 2nd and up
Subject: Reading
Specific Skill: Spelling/vocabulary
Levels: 3
Players: 1
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both

The goal is quite simple - build words (from a specific category - like sports) from the syllables shown. In 'classic' mode, syllables are shown on stationary dominoes. But in 'bubbles' mode, the same syllables are shown on floating bubbles - adding a little complexity to the task of making words.

Users can choose between 3 difficulty levels (1, 2, or 3 stars). In addition, you can play a 'Full Game' where categories change during the game. Or you can play a 'Training' round and pick a specific category.

Categories: wild animals, farm animals, musical instruments, the house, furniture, weather, colors, fruits, vegetables, trees, flowers, seaside, clothes, transport, DIY, sports, food and drinks, fishes, verbs, and the human body.

Users may even choose the preferred language - from English, French, Spanish, or German. The app also keeps track of high scores in both game modes.

This is one of the rare apps that's appropriate for an elementary, middle, or high school classroom. At this price point, it's highly recommended!

Word Seek HD

Price: 99 cents
Grade Recommendation: 3rd and up
Subject: Language Arts
Specific Skill: Spelling, vocabulary
Levels: 1
Players: 1 - 2
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both (called Word Seek Social for iPod)

Please note that this game is tied to Apple's Game Center. One person can play without signing in, but that needs to be done if two people play against each other (via the 'Challenge' option on the main menu). (I assume you have to sign in to the Game Center for the iPod Touch version.)

This app is quite appropriately titled - users seek for words amongst given letters. The letters can either be arranged in a 4x4 or 5x5 array. When users find a word, they drag the letters in order (horizontally, vertically, and/or diagonally) and release to 'make' it. The letters do not change at all during the course of a game. Each found word earns points based on the letters it's comprised of. Besides customizing the board size, users can also select a 3, 4, or 5 minute time limit or get rid of the time constraint altogether.

After each game, the app displays your total score and your personal best. But it also displays the number and percent of words found out of the total that were possible for that game. It also displays the lengthy list of all possible words.

Memory Game Spelling Words

Price: $.99
Grade Recommendation: K - 1st
Subject: English Language Arts
Specific Skill: Spelling
Levels: 3
Players: 1
For iPad, iPod, or Both: Both


This app is quite similar to the traditional matching game we all know and love. The user has the choice between 3 levels: 1. Words with short vowel sounds, 2. Long vowel sounds, or 3. Sight words. In addition, you can choose to display 6, 12, or 18 cards.

The words change each time. Meaning, a user can play the same level back-to-back and receive different words each time.

The app automatically reads each word that is turned over and it comes embedded with background music. The only way around this is to mute the device.

Unfortunately, after each game students have the opportunity to play a non-educational dinosaur matching game. Luckily this game only lasts a short while. But you also have the option to remove this feature in the 'Settings' tab.