Available in the App Store

[appimg 465184366]

Phonics Tic-Tac-Toe is one of three excellent apps by Lakeshore Learning Materials. If you are thinking that Lakeshore Learning Materials sounds familiar, it is because they are well known for creating excellent educational materials.

This app takes what we know and love about the traditional tic-tac-toe game and combines it with what kids need to know about phonics. The end result is a fun, interactive way for kids to practice their language skills; skills such as beginning and ending sounds, vowel sounds, and counting syllables to name a few.

The Tic-Tac-Toe app is recommended for ages 6-8 (grades 1 through 3). There is no voice or narration in this app. The users will need to be able to read the question or have someone available to read it to them. The user interface in Phonics Tic-Tac-Toe is very nicely done; the app is intuitive, but does have a good in-app help that is easily accessed, if additional information is needed. Other design factors such as colors and graphics are vivid, crisp and clear; sounds are appropriate and add to the fun.

Adding voice or narration for assisting those who cannot read the questions and the addition of more questions would make this a five star app.

Bottom line:
Lakeshore Learning Materials apps are very well done. They can be used in the classroom or at home. I would highly recommend all three apps.

All three of the Lakeshore apps are currently free until Dec. 30, 2011. The apps are universal and work well on either device.

Children build language skills in a fast-paced game of tic-tac-toe! Fun, interactive game explores vowel sounds, syllables and more. For ages 6-8 years.

Free for a limited time—until December 30, 2011! Plus, check out the other Lakeshore Learning Materials apps: Letter of the Day Interactive Activities and Beginning Sounds Interactive Game.

Requires iOS 3.2 or higher.