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If you like Simplex Spelling HD, by Pyxwise Software, then you’ll definitely want to download their latest app, Simplex Spelling Phonics 1. Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 is similar in design, but contains twice as many words.
Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 is a spelling app that focuses on 450 high frequency spelling words. Those 450 words are broken down into 42 lessons, with about ten words per lesson. For example, lesson one focuses on the short a sound and contains words such as bag, bad and hat; lesson 42, which focuses on the y ending sound, contains icy, energy and apology. Within the lesson, each word is spoken, used in a sentence and then spoken again. There are many benefits to hearing the word used in a sentence, one of which is to help differentiate with words that sound the same, but are spelled differently; such as waist and waste.
Two other desirable features in this app are the ability to have multiple users and being able to track their progress. As a parent or teacher, you are able to see which words they have mastered for each of the lists.
Overall design of the app is okay, but like Simplex Spelling, could do with a lot more polish. The design is intuitive, after a little practice, which makes it easy for kids to use. In a few areas the sounds were scratchy, but not unbearable. I’d also like to see more consistency in what the user receives after spelling a word correctly. I like the mix of sounds and text; in some cases I did not receive either after a word, which could cause you to wonder if you misspelled the word. One other design issue was the red letters; I’d like to suggest a different color. The lighter color used to designate the vowels was easier to read.
Though red and green were used as colors in the design of this app, the developer did take into consideration how that color combination can affect color blind users. They have tried to put other design features in place to help those that may be color blind.
Bottom-line: Pyxwise Software has done it again! Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 is a terrific spelling app; one that we will definitely be using at our house, even if I cannot add my own lists!
Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 teaches a full year of spelling curriculum. It contains 42 spelling lessons that teach both phonics and spelling rules, while combining proven educational techniques such as using spelling/word patterns to aid the student’s retention of the material being taught. Phonics 1 maintains a focus on high frequency words to help build a strong foundation in spelling and reading fluency. The word lists contained in Phonics 1 are new and beautifully compliment the Dolch words lists that were used in our previous spelling app Simplex Spelling HD.
Simplex Spelling Phonics 1 builds upon all of the great features from Simplex Spelling HD with new instructional lessons, additional spelling hints and tips, and choices for US, UK, and Canadian spelling. Regular Price: Sale $0.99 (regularly $4.99).