Literacy Apps

Please note that prices on this page are for the Australian iTunes store.  International Prices and availability will vary.  Universal Apps will work on both iPhone and iPad.

Spelling

Happi SpellsHappi Spells – Publisher:  Happi Papi/Serendipity, Cost:  $1.99, Made for iPhone Happi Spells - Crossword Puzzles for Kids by Happi Papi - Serendipity

Fun crossword game with several levels, each with 12 puzzles and the promise of more levels to come.  Approximately 150 English words are used throughout the levels.  International versions in Danish, Norwegian and Swedish are available from their respective iTunes stores. Happi Spells is also available for Android from the Amazon Store. Price: 99 cents. Suitable for lower to middle primary, however older students with learning difficulties may enjoy this too.

Happi SpellsHappi Spells HD – Publisher:  Happi Papi/Serendipity. Cost:  99 cents, iPad Happi Spells HD - Crossword Puzzles for Kids by Happi Papi - Serendipity

Identical to the above but made for iPad. Happi Spells is also available for Android from the Amazon Store. Price: 99 cents.

Suitable for lower to middle primary, however older students with learning difficulties may enjoy this too.
  My Spell Test -Publisher:  Ipoxi LLC Cost:  $2.99  Made for iPhone and looks great on iPad.

My Spell Test - The Custom Spelling Test Creator - Ipoxi Very simple App and easy to use.  You can create your own custom spelling lists from your child’s weekly spelling lists, add recorded voice and then practice.  Brilliant.

School A to Z – Publisher: NSW Department of Education and Communities, Universal, Free.  School A to Z - NSW Department of Education and CommunitiesAlso available for Android if you follow the links on the School A to Z website.

There are lots of activities in this versatile App, and one of them is a Spelling Bee game that has three levels of difficulty and the option of creating your own custom list using your child’s Homework spelling list.

Reading

Picture eBooks

The Picture eBooks page lists some great eBooks that my children (and I) just love.  There were so many that they really needed their own page.

Sight Words

DET Out & About Sight words level 1 –   Publisher Queensland Government – Department of Education and Training, Cost:  Free, Universal DET Out & About Sight words level 1 - Queensland Government-Department of Education and Training

Flash cards of the first 100 sight words written in Queensland Beginner script.  Designed to give parents a resource (literally at their fingertips) to help their children learn sight words.

Suitable for Prep to Grade 2.

Happi Reads App iconHappi Reads -Publisher:  Happi Papi/Serendipity, Cost:  99 cents, iPhone Happi Reads - A Learn to Read Game for Kids by Happi Papi - Serendipity

Simple word recognition game where children match one of three words to a picture.  There are four levels of difficulty, each with 25 words.  It is simple and fun to play.  This App would suit Lower Primary. Happi Reads is also available for Android from the Amazon store, Price:  $1.

Happi Reads App iconHappi Reads HD – Publisher:  Happi Papi/Serendipity, Cost:  Free, iPad Happi Reads HD - A Learn to Read Game for Kids by Happi Papi - Serendipity

Identical activities to the above, but only for iPad.  Suitable for Lower Primary.
Happi Reads is also available for Android from the Amazon store, Price:  $1.

Phonics

Tiki Bear Phonics HD – Vowel Sounds –  Publisher:  StusApps, Cost: Free, iPad only Tiki Bear Phonics HD - Vowel Sounds - StusApps

Great way of exploring phonics sounds.  Simple to use and lots of fun.

Suitable for Early Childhood.

Tiki Bear Phonics  – Vowel Sounds –  Publisher:  StusApps, Cost: Free, iPhone Tiki Bear Phonics - Vowel Sounds - StusApps

Identical activity to above, but made for iPhone.

Suitable for Early Childhood. Happi Reads is also available for Android from the Amazon store, Price:  $1.

Tiki Bear Phonics HD – Consonant Sounds –  Publisher:  StusApps, Cost: 99 cents, iPad only Tiki Bear Phonics HD - Consonant Sounds - StusApps

This is the paid version of Tiki Bear Phonics.  Children can explore each of the consonant sounds with a practice activity and three games.  Simple and enjoyable to use.

Suitable for Early Childhood.

Tiki Bear Phonics – Consonant Sounds –  Publisher:  StusApps, Cost: 99 cents, iPhone Tiki Bear Phonics - Consonant Sounds - StusApps

This app is identical to the HD version except it is made for iPhone so the screen resolution is a little different.

Suitable for Early Childhood.

Writing

Picturebook – Publisher:  Maplekey Company LLC, Price:  Free, Universal Picturebook - Maplekey Company, LLC

Create your own eBooks with this simple App.  Share your ebooks with others via iTunes or email.    Some graphics provided.  In-App purchases add more design options, including the ability to add your own graphics.  Suitable for all ages.

Picturebook School Edition– Publisher:  Maplekey Company LLC, Price:  $7.49, Universal Picturebook: School Edition - Maplekey Company, LLC

This app is the deluxe version of Picturebook.  All resources available as in-app purchases for the free version of this app come installed as standard.    It is a great option for schools. Suitable for all ages.

Book Creator – Publisher: Red Jumper Studio, Cost: $5.49 iPad only Book Creator for iPad - Red Jumper Studio
Versatile app that allows you to create ebooks in the ePub format that can be shared through iTunes and read using iBook.
Easy to use and suitable for all ages.

Handwriting

rED Writing rED Writing - Learn to Write - Rogue MobilerED Writing – Learn to Write – Publisher:  Rogue Mobile, Made for iPhone (works well on iPad) $1.99

Practice Australian beginner writing scripts for each of the Australian States and Territories.  Individual student logins can be created.  Covers writing patterns, numbers, lowercase alphabet and upper case alphabet.

School Writing App icon AU School Fonts - learn to write your abc, numbers, words and more. - demografix pty ltdSchool Fonts – Publisher:  Demografix Pty Ltd, Price:  $2.99, Made for iPhone

Brilliant handwriting App with fonts for all Australian States and Territories, New Zealand, the USA and the UK.  Best of all, you can customise activities and use your own word lists.  Individual student profiles are available and reports can be automatically emailed to parents or teachers. Setting up activities on class sets is quick and easy.  Suitable for all ages, but particularly useful in lower and middle primary.

School Writing App icon School Writing – Learn to write the ABC, numbers, words and more. (Australia/New Zealand) - demografix pty ltd
School Writing – Publisher: Demografix Pty. Ltd., Price: $4.99, iPad only

Brilliant handwriting App with fonts for all Australian States and Territories, New Zealand, the USA and the UK.  Similar to School Fonts by the same publisher, but with the addition of a Whiteboard activity that makes it useful across subject areas. Best of all, Teachers and parents can create customise activities quickly.  Individual student profiles are available and reports can be automatically emailed to parents or teachers. Very quick to set up class sets of iPads.  Suitable for all ages.

Reference

School A to Z app icon

School A to Z – Publisher: NSW Department of Education and Communities, Universal, Free. School A to Z - NSW Department of Education and Communities  Also available for Android if you follow the links on the School A to Z website.

This versatile App has a lot to it, including a handy reference to just about every term related to English.  You can search for specific terms, browse alphabetically, or browse by topic.  As well as definitions, there are examples and links to facts sheets, web pages and other resources.

Vocabulary

Enchanted Dictionary 4-6th Grade - Golden Communications LLCEnchanted Dictionary 4 – 6th Grade – Publisher:  Golden Communications LLC, Price: $1.99, iPad Only

Dictionary Game where students rearrange words to form (sentences) definitions of words.  More than 650 words are organised alphabetically in Subject Categories and Subcategories.  You can also add you own words and definitions in any category or subcategory, or you can create your own categories and subcategories related to specific topics, themes and subjects.  Although the App is designed for children in years 4 to 6, it is useful for a wider range of ages.

Enchanted Dictionary 7-12th Grade - Golden Communications LLCEnchanted Dictionary 7-12th Grade –  Publisher:  Golden Communications LLC, Price: $1.99, iPad Only

Similar to the above version, but featuring content related to subjects covered in high school.  There are over 800 words available and, as in the 4th – 6th Grade version, you can add your own words and definitions, and your own categories and subcategories.

Word Games

Word games and puzzles can help with spelling and reading.  The word game list has a selection of some of the better puzzles I have found.

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