Review by Amanda Bindel, Common Sense Education | Updated December 2013

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Phrasalstein

Name: Phrasalstein
Item: Phrasalstein
Rating: 3
Author: Amanda Bindel

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Tricky phrasal verbs are no match for monsters

Subjects & skills

Grades This grade range is based on learning appropriateness and doesn't take into account privacy. It's determined by Common Sense Education, not the product's publisher.

4–7

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Teachers say (1 Review)

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Kids choose a verbal phrase, watch an animation, see a definition, and read a sample sentence.

Kids can customize the language for instructions, sample sentences, and definitions.

The phrasal shows in English, but the rest is in the chosen language.

In the exercise section, kids match a phrase to an animation.

Pros: Animated monster skits demonstrate phrases in a way that makes sense.

Cons: Content is pretty specific and not very broad.

Bottom Line: Great for ELL students figuring out the tricky English language; decent for elementary idioms.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

ELL teachers will find Phrasalstein especially valuable for students to use and explore on their own. ELA teachers, especially those in late elementary grades, could also use it to expose kids to idioms. Since it's available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android phones, Android tablets, and Kindle Fire, Phrasalstein is a great app for BYOD classrooms where kids have a variety of devices. Teachers could show students a few sample animations, explain the idioms or phrasal verbs specifically, and then have students use digital creation tools to create their own skits or animations demonstrating another phrasal verb or idiom.

What Is It?

The English language is complicated, and phrasal verbs are one of many tricky parts. Go in, go for, go off -- same verb, different meanings. Phrasalstein uses monsters and short animations to demonstrate the meanings of common phrasal verbs. The whole process is set up like a machine in Dr. Frankenstein's lab. Students scroll the dial to a verb and a preposition and hit "view." A window opens showing a short animated clip that demonstrates the meaning of the phrasal verb, and another window gives the meaning or translation and a sample sentence. This great tool for English language learners lets kids customize the language in Settings and view instructions and translations in their chosen language, with the sample sentence in both English and that language. To test understanding, kids can challenge themselves in the exercise section, where they'll view the short animated clip demonstrating a phrasal verb in action and match it to the correct term on the dial.

Is It Good for Learning?

Phrasalstein doesn't have broad appeal since it's focused on English language phrasal verbs, which are most likely already ingrained in native English speakers' grammar. For English language learners of any age, however, the cross-cultural appeal of Frankenstein, Dracula, and their monster crew make learning this tricky aspect of the English language fun. Short, simple animations demonstrate the concepts in a way that makes sense, and the option to see instructions and translations in other languages makes it easier to use. Phrasalstein includes about 60 phrasal verbs, like lock up, mist over, tidy up, and wash down. Students, especially those learning the English language, will enjoy learning the terms from Dr. Frankenstein's monster mash.

Rating Details

Overall Rating

Engagement Is the product stimulating, entertaining, and engrossing? Will kids want to return?

A monster theme adds some fun to a not-so-fun grammar topic. The short animations are a bit goofy, a bit shocking, and engaging enough to help kids learn the phrasal verbs.

Pedagogy Is learning content seamlessly baked-in, and do kids build conceptual understanding? Is the product adaptable and empowering? Will skills transfer?

Seeing phrases in action helps kids incorporate the new terms into their vocabularies. An animated demonstration of each phrase, partnered with an example and a definition, gives kids a depth of understanding of the term and its usage.

Support Does the product take into account learners of varying abilities, skill levels, and learning styles? Does it address both struggling and advanced students?

No data is saved to track words reviewed or learned. Instructions are available in several languages.

Common Sense Reviewer

Amanda Bindel Classroom teacher

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Featured review by
Cynthia S. , Media specialist/librarian

Media specialist/librarian

Fremont Public Schools
Fremont, United States

Phrasalstein: Unexpected Fun in Learning Verbs & Prepositions

This app is just quirky enough to engage students and help them grasp the concept of verbs and prepositions with it graphics and old movie music.

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Phrasalstein

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