Word Study is one of my favorite ways to teach spelling to kids. I’ve looked high and low for a quality word study app that is developmentally appropriate, attractive and in line with the word study method to supplement our spelling instruction. The few apps I’ve come across have fallen quite short…until NOW!
I am so excited and honored to share a special project with you…Short Vowels Word Study App! {This will be the first of several word study apps based upon the word study approach to spelling.}
*CHECK OUT THE UPDATES TO THIS APP!
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The Short Vowels Word Study App is
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE on iTunes and Google Play!
Short Vowel Word Study App
This is app follows the principals of the word study approach. You can read more about that approach in my book Teaching Kids to Spell or in this 10 Days of Word Study series.
The Short Vowels Word Study app was created for spellers in late Letter Name-Alphabet Stage to beginning of the Within Word Pattern Stage. Spellers in this stage are developmentally aware that there are vowels in the middle of short vowel words (spellers before this stage tend to leave out the vowels in words, spelling BT for bat) all the way to spellers who are beginning to hear and spell both the F and R in frog. You can read more about each spelling stage here or in Words Their Way.
How do you know if this app is developmentally appropriate for your child?
This is a great question! There is a wide range of spelling skills and activities covered in this app (so it can G-R-O-W with your child), so here’s a quick list to help you know if it’s right for your students/child:
For LEVEL 1 (Short Vowel Word Families)
- My child can read word families (like cat, sat, bat, fat, etc.)
- My child is beginning to include vowels in her spellings (BAT for bat instead of B or BT for bat)
For Level 2 (Short Vowel Words)
- My child can read most short vowel words (like web, sat, log, etc.)
- My child includes short vowels in her spellings pretty consistently and may be beginning to spell some blends (such as the FR in frog or the ST in step) and digraphs (SH- in shut and TH in thin)
For Level 3 (Longer Words)
- My child can read most short vowel words with blends and digraphs (such as fish, step, flag, etc.)
- My child is spelling words with blends and digraphs more consistently
Typically, these reading and spelling skills are developmentally seen in children who are in Kindergarten and first grade. But, all children are different, so be sure to check out the points above to make sure it is a good fit for your child.
FOUR Spelling Activities for Each Level in the App:
Each level of learning will include four activities: 1) Sort it, 2) Find it, 3) Spell it, and 4)Write It
1. Sort it- Word Sorts
In this activity, kids will sort words based on their spelling patterns.
Kids will sort words by their word family patterns in the Word Family Section (Level 1). In the Short Vowel (Level 2) and Longer Words (Level 3) section, words will be sorted without images. {Each level contains at least 10 different sorts, which are selected at random, which equals many hours of spelling practice through word sorting.}
2. Find it- Analyzing Words more Deeply
In the Find It section, 4-6 words are displayed. The child has to look at the words and find the one word that doesn’t fit the pattern, similar to my Find the Oddball game. In the example above, for does not fit because the o does not make the short vowel sound like it does in all the other words.
3. Spell It – Spelling words with letter tiles
In this activity, kids will use letter tiles to spell the words pictured. In the Word Family level, just the beginning letter is used, but as the levels get more difficult, all the letters are manipulated to spell words.
4. Write It – Writing words for each level
Kids can hear, trace, then write each word selected. Kids can hit the compare button to check their spellings.
Word Fun Section
Once kids have completed certain tasks, they get to earn stars that will unlock a Word Fun section.
Here is just one of the games that will be included in that section; it’s a letter slinging game still designed for learning. The other fun game is a Word BINGO.
Available on
Find all our Educational Apps!
Read Our App Reviews:
- The Best Spelling Apps for Kids {The Measured Mom}
- Amazing Reading App {Not Consumed}
- Short Vowel Word Study App Review {Still Playing School}
- Best Apps for Kids’ Review
~Becky