Smiley Sight Words

App Title: Smiley Sight Words

Grade Level: Early Elementary

Purpose: A   Support beginning and transitional readers in their knowledge of high-frequency or sight words.

Program Functionality: A  A variety of lists are available from functional vocabulary such as number words, colors, shapes, etc, to Dolch words, Fry words, UK word lists, and customizable lists. Up to five students can be individually programmed in the settings, making this app very functional in the classroom without a class set of iPods.

Overall Educational Value: A  I have prescribed this to four of my first grade students who have as their personal reading goal to increase their fluency by improving on the number of high-frequency words they can read. They like interacting with the iPod, as opposed to reading from the word wall or traditional flash cards; this creates a higher motivation factor to participating. Also, they like to compare their levels.

Cost: Introductory price of $.99 - a bargain, considering the number of lists.

Recommendation: This is a fun app for small groups or students working one-on-one with a tutor, aide, or teacher. I created a phrase for teaching this: "Say, check, check-in." They say the word aloud, check it by touching the word, then check-in with the smileys; thumbs up for correct, thumbs down for incorrect. Now you see the reason for close adult supervision! I have my doubts that I could set my whole class to work on the 'honor system' all at one time. No, I believe the temptation to get to the next level before a friend would be too great and they would just give themselves all thumbs-up. In small groups, I have been able to manage to keep an ear open for each student reading their word aloud and observing their progress.

Three thumbs-up smileys are needed to consider a word learned. Options are available to hide the word after three or keep them in the study list. 

Classroom Use Examples / Ideas: Right now, small groups or individuals are working out best. Possibly using pairs of students could work out. Careful teaching of the purpose of the app, explaining that the thumbs-down isn't bad, it just means you need to continue to study that word, and creating the step by step process of "say, check, check-in" or something similar would be necessary.

Developer Website: /http://www.24x7digital.com/content/view/193/90/

ITunes Link: Smiley Sight Words

Reviewer Name: Carolyn Wojtera

Reviewer Blog: http://cwojtera.edublogs.org

Other: I like the idea of the customizable list. I could see putting my first grade high-frequency words from the reading program on there. The only drawback would be that we have 6 units and there are only 5 possible lists.

Hey, check out our Ning (Online Community) devoted to helping teachers utilize these devices to the their fullest.  Please leave a comment if you agree, disagree, or have other creative uses for this app in the classroom, etc.