Preschool University Takes On Spelling Practice
Read more literacy app reviews on phonics.org to make informed choices about your child’s education.
Continue reading to learn more about the ABC Spelling Magic apps available through Preschool University.
What is ABC Spelling Magic?
ABC Spelling Magic is a group of four spelling apps developed by Preschool University. Each app Spelling Magic app is numbered from 1-4 and has its own spelling phonics focus:
- Working with CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words like ‘fed’
- Working with CCVC/CVCC words
- Words with words with multiple syllables
- Silent final e rules like ‘bake’ or ‘bite’
With over 50 educational apps, Preschool University has an abundance of digital options for literacy learning. These vast app options allow for more individual choices for educators and parents.
However, this volume of app choices can also be overwhelming for adults to choose from. Finding and matching specific apps to the next literacy skill to be learned can be trickier than using one app that encompasses all of these literacy skills in a sequential format.
This review focuses on usability, engagement, and quality of literacy instruction for the four Spelling Magic Apps created by Preschool University.
Is ABC Spelling Magic Easy to Use?
The following factors impact the usability of the ABC Magic Spelling apps.
Navigation
The ABC Spelling Magic app offers a user-friendly experience with easy sign-in and no login requirements. It features two main play areas:
- Word Building: players spell specific words with a limited selection of letters
- Movable Alphabet: players spell specific words with the entire alphabet to choose from
An added benefit is the Spelling Magic 4 game, which introduces a section for transitioning from long to short spelling, enhancing phonetic understanding (e.g., changing “can” to “cane”).
Once a user starts a session, they must complete it without the option to exit. This ensures a focused learning experience but may be challenging for users with shorter attention spans. Words are thoughtfully organized by vowel sound or a language theme to allow for more focused practice.
Gameplay and Instructions
ABC Spelling Magic offers an engaging and user-friendly experience, making it easy for kids to play and interact with the various games. The word-building game is designed with scaffolding in mind, allowing children to select from a limited set of letters, which simplifies the learning process. For those ready for a challenge, the movable alphabet option requires children to choose from the entire alphabet, providing a more advanced gameplay experience.
To maintain a consistent learning environment, all four apps feature two different routines, with variations only in phonics focus and difficulty. This consistency not only aids learners but also helps educators and parents easily pick up and engage with any game, regardless of the child’s level. While the game instructions may be a bit verbose, they contain tips for parents and educators willing to navigate through the text, ensuring that everyone can support the child’s learning journey.
Engagement in ABC Spelling Magic
The following factors may impact the engagement of users playing ABC Spelling Magic.
Simple Appearance
User engagement in ABC Spelling Magic can be influenced by several key factors. The app features a simple and uncluttered design, which is beneficial for both older and younger students. This straightforward appearance minimizes distractions, making it easier for children with attentional or auditory difficulties to focus on their learning. The absence of excessive animations, sounds, and rewards allows for a more direct and effective educational experience.
Additionally, the use of actual photographs to represent words helps bridge the interests of younger and older children, reinforcing vocabulary concepts in an engaging way. However, this simplification may also lead to feelings of boredom for some users who might prefer more dynamic elements in their learning tools. Additionally, the layout and presentation of the app feel slightly outdated. Overall, while the app’s simplicity enhances accessibility and focus, it may not cater to every child’s preferences for engagement.
Literacy Learning With ABC Spelling Magic
The following factors impact the quality of literacy learning in the ABC Spelling Magic apps.
Direct and Explicit Instruction
ABC Spelling Magic is specifically designed for children who already have a grasp of letter sounds and understand that words are formed by combining these sounds. Literacy experts emphasize the importance of direct and explicit instruction in spelling, and the app encourages interaction between learners and guiding adults. However, the effectiveness of this approach heavily depends on the knowledge and willingness of the adult to support the child, which may vary in different circumstances.
While the app offers a structured learning experience, it lacks essential spelling tips and explanations that could further benefit children. For instance, the first app in the series includes words that end with “ll,” but it does not explain the rule behind doubling letters. This could be addressed by introducing concepts like the Floss or FLSZ rule, which states that single-syllable words ending in the letters f, l, s, or z are often doubled. Providing clearer explanations of such spelling patterns would significantly enhance the app’s instructional effectiveness.
Sequential Learning
ABC Spelling Magic features four versions, each designed with increasing levels of difficulty in phonics knowledge. This progressive structure aligns well with the educational recommendation to build phonics skills sequentially, starting with simpler patterns and gradually introducing more complex ones. However, there are some important phonics concepts that are not included in the app’s scope and sequence.
For instance, digraphs—two letters that represent a single sound—are notably absent from the phonics plan. This would include words like ‘chat’ or ‘shut’. Given that digraphs are a common and essential phonics pattern, their omission may limit the app’s comprehensiveness in teaching foundational spelling skills. Addressing this gap could further enhance the app’s effectiveness in supporting sequential learning in phonics.
Elkonin Boxes
Elkonin boxes are a common teaching strategy for showing learners how to segment words into their individual sounds. Each sound box represents one sound in a word. ABC Spelling Magic uses Elkonin boxes to teach segmentation skills for both the Word Building and Movable Alphabet games, which is a solid instructional strategy for teaching foundational spelling skills.
Unfortunately, the ABC Spelling Magic apps make a slight mistake when using these boxes. Words that have double letters (two letters representing one sound) like ‘fill’ use two sound boxes for the letter <L>s instead of one. This is a confusing and mistaken use of sound boxes that are intended to emphasize the connection between sounds and letters in words.
Are the ABC Spelling Magic Apps Good For Learning to Spell?
The ABC Spelling Magic apps from Preschool University offer a structured and user-friendly approach to early literacy development. With a clear focus on phonics progression and accessible gameplay, these apps offer some basic spelling skills and practice for learners who already know their letter sounds.
However, while the simplicity of the apps keeps the focus on learning, it may not capture the attention of all learners. Additionally, certain prevalent phonics concepts, such as digraphs are missing from the sequential learning plan for spelling in these apps. While some instructions are available in the app, they do not cover the explicit instruction of common spelling rules and patterns such as those involved in double letters at the ends of words. Finally, while the use of Elkonin boxes is commendable for spelling instruction, there are mistakes in the execution of this instructional tool that let down the app.
ABC Spelling Magic: Overall Ratings
Quality of Literacy Instruction: 2 / 5
Usability: 3 / 5
Engagement: 2.5 / 5
