Smarty Spell App Review

I have a couple Smarty Ears apps, and by following them on Facebook, I saw they were looking for bloggers to review their new app, Smarty Spell.  I was excited for the opportunity to check it out! Smarty Spell is listed in the App Store for $3.99.

I downloaded it the same night I received the notification it was available.  I wanted to check it out before introducing it to my kiddos.  I'm glad I looked at it ahead of time.  I love that each student can have their own account.  I entered each student's name prior to introducing the app to them.  You can also add a picture or an avatar, but I was more concerned with getting the app in their hands, so these are currently blank.

The navigation of the app is very user friendly.  Students are able to navigate on their own with little difficulty.  The app includes word lists for grades K-6, so differentiation is made easy by just reminding students what level I want them to work on.  By choosing a grade level, you get a preloaded list for that level.  There are also theme lists.  I think it would be great to have lists by phonics skill as well. This seems to be the way many spelling lists are set up, so I think this would be an advantage for the app.  We do not give weekly spelling tests in K where I teach, but we do word work, this feature would be great to tie into that!  You are able to set up your own list, but it would be great to have these already included.

I like the ability to see a report of each student's learning/progress.  This is a great feature when students are working independently; they know there will be some accountability when I reference that I saw how they did.

My kiddos' complaint is that the "praise" after getting it right always says the same thing.  In many of the other apps they use, "praise" is typically varied (great job, awesome, way to go, etc) so I think they almost expect that.  When a student misses a letter, the app fills in the letter and waits for child to attempt the next letter.

Overall, I think this is a good app for students to practice spelling.  My favorite features are the individualization aspect (differentiation) and the ability to see each student's individual progress.

*I was not paid for this review, however, I was given the app for free to provide a review.*