VocabularySpellingCity.com {Schoolhouse Review Crew}

 

There are a couple subjects I've always struggled with in finding the "right fit" in curriculum for my children. Math is one. The other, spelling and vocabulary. You may remember that we reviewed VocabularySpellingCity.com a little over a year ago. I was happy to receive it again this year, to see what new changes may have been made.

VocabularySpellingCity.com is an interactive learning site where parents (and teachers) can register for free and save word lists that their children can then use to play a variety of learning games and activities.

They also offer  VocabularySpellingCity Premium Membership (for use with up to five children) which includes the following additional benefits:

• Student progress tracking
• Access to Premium games, including vocabulary and writing activities
• Individual student logins for accountability
• The ability to group students and lists for differentiated instruction
• Assignments
• No commercial ads

In addition, they offer free mobile apps for Apple devices, Android devices, and the Kindle as well! Premium Members can log into the apps to access many of the Premium features. I was really excited to see the addition of apps for the Kindle, since Botanist Boy has one, and can now work on his assignments on it.

In VocabularySpellingCity.com, you will find Over 42,000 spelling words with customizable sentences and definitions. I like that a real person says each word and sentence (rather than a computerized voice!). There are around twenty-five games or activities to play either online, or to print off.

Some of the activities include: Flash Cards, Word Search, Hang Mouse, LetterFall, Word-O-Rama, and Crossword. There are handwriting sheets to print off, as well.

I like how you can customize word lists for your children. You can use one of the Featured Vocabulary and Spelling Lists, such as:

• Multiple Meanings   
• Science Vocabulary
• Dolch Sight Words   
• Contractions
• Homophones   
• Compound Words
• Math Words   
• Analogies
• Possessive Nouns   
• State Capitals 

There are also alphabetized word lists by grade, as well as lists of reading vocabulary, taken from popular literature, such as Frog and Toad Together; Charlotte's Web; The Swiss Family Robinson; The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; Jane Eyre.   

I like that, as a parent, I can go in to the parent/teacher account, and set up assignments for the boys.  First, I choose what lists I want them to work on. For example, I am currently having little bit work his way through the alphabetized lists by grade level. Botanist Boy, though, I have him working on vocabulary words related to what we are studying in our history course. (These can be found under Teacher Resources.) Then I import them.

After that, I go to the "parent premium toolbox" and click on "assignments," then click on "create a new assignment." Then select a word list; select the activities I want him to do with that list; assign to my student; then add assignment details, such as due date for completion.

This way, you can spend a few minutes (okay, maybe longer, while you're trying to decide from all those lists just which ones you want your student to cover for the year), and literally set up your student's spelling and vocabulary assignments for the whole school year!

Botanist Boy is still reluctant to work on this, but I really think the fact he can do them on his Kindle, rather than my computer, makes it much more appealing to him. Little Bit enjoys working both on the computer and his iPod. Still, there is much someone has to read to him, since he struggles so with reading, and just plain isn't fluent yet.

His favorite activities are WordFall, and Word Search.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Crew has to say about their adventures with VocabularySpellingCity.com!

Cost: Vocabulary Spelling City's premium membership is $29.99 per year per family for up to 5 students, grades K-12. For more than 5 students in the family, or for classroom or co-op use, the annual cost is $49.99 for up to 25 students. And don't forget about the free app for your Apple, Android, or Kindle devices!

Contact Information:
Website
Email
Address:
VocabularySpellingCity.com, Inc.
6300 N.E. 1st Ave., Suite 203
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 
Phone: 954-357-1150
FAX: 954-626-3656
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