App review by Andrea Meyers, Common Sense Education | Updated January 2018
VocabularySpellingCity
Get it now
  • Download on Google Play
  • Download from App Store

VocabularySpellingCity

Subscription-based, student-facing app fine for independent practice

Get it now
  • Download on Google Play
  • Download from App Store
Learning rating
Editorial review by Common Sense Education
Community rating
Based on 60 reviews
Privacy rating
Not yet rated Expert evaluation by Common Sense
Grades
K–12 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.
Subjects & Skills
English Language Arts, English-Language Learning, Critical Thinking
Price:  Free, Paid Requires a $69.95 per year subscription through the website, and supports up to 25 users.
Platforms:  Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
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Take a look inside

5 images
Student home page with links to lists and games and student records
Students can view all the word lists and select activities for each.
Some games rely on speed.
The Missing Letter activity is good for working on medial sounds.
Learning activities show statistics, providing timely feedback to students.

Pros: Touch-based, on-the-go access to learning activities.

Cons: Students cannot create or access their custom word lists in the app.

Bottom Line: A potentially more engaging -- although uneven -- option for your students, if you've got a Premium membership.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

The app is designed for students to complete the VocabularySpellingCity learning activities. Students use it in the same way as the website. For teachers with a Premium account and students with mobile access, this app provides a good option for completing independent work in class or at home, or as a learning center activity. The touch-based interactions suit some games well and can help students, especially in the lower grades, be a bit more focused. Others, however, are finicky. Teachers may want to review the mobile versions of games before assigning them for independent play to make sure students get the best experience possible.

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Standards:

The VocabularySpellingCity app offers access to all word lists, learning activities, and student records from the VocabularySpellingCity website. The app no longer works for free members (if you tap the free sample activities, it links out to the website) and requires a Premium membership to the website ($69.95 per year). For subscribers, their students can complete all assignments in the app as well as the browser. The user experience is similar between the two, but the app experience can be uneven. Some of the games play smoothly, but some do not respond well on touchscreens, which students may find frustrating if a game relies on speed. 

 

Like the website, the VocabularySpellingCity app's activities offer decent practice of vocabulary and spelling skills, but the focus is predominantly on memorization of content.The level of engagement varies, and many of the activities are screen-based multiple-choice worksheet activities. Both the app and the website have read-aloud support, and students can choose to replay words and sentences as needed. Students with learning disabilities may need support or monitoring to complete learning activities, since issues do arise. For example, the Crossword's word bank pops up over the screen and then goes away when the student types. This presents a challenge for students who need visual support to practice spelling. In this situation, a teacher might want to prepare a printed list ahead of time. 

Overall Rating
Engagement Would it motivate students and hold their interest? Is it visually appealing? Would it inspire teachers to try something new or change their instruction?

The spelling and vocabulary activities may be a little more interesting than pencil and paper, but a number of the options are simply multiple-choice problems.

Pedagogy Does the tool help teachers promote a more student-centered experience? Will students gain conceptual understanding or think critically? Does it deepen teachers’ pedagogical thinking?

The simple learning activities emphasize the lower levels of Bloom's Taxonomy (remembering, understanding, applying). 

Support Can students and teachers get assistance when they need it? Is it created with people of different abilities and backgrounds in mind? Is learning reinforced and extended beyond the digital experience?

The app is an extension of the website, focusing just on completing activities. Though it's generally easy to learn, there's not much help included.

Common Sense reviewer
Andrea Meyers Instructional Facilitator of Technology
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Key Standards Supported

Language

  • L.K.2c

    Write a letter or letters for most consonant and short-vowel sounds (phonemes).

  • L.1.2d

    Use conventional spelling for words with common spelling patterns and for frequently occurring irregular words.

  • L.1.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 1 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.

  • L.2.2

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

  • L.2.2d

    Generalize learned spelling patterns when writing words (e.g., cage → badge; boy → boil).

  • L.2.2e

    Consult reference materials, including beginning dictionaries, as needed to check and correct spellings.

  • L.2.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.

  • L.3.1

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

  • L.3.2e

    Use conventional spelling for high-frequency and other studied words and for adding suffixes to base words (e.g., sitting, smiled, cries, happiness).

  • L.3.2f

    Use spelling patterns and generalizations (e.g., word families, position-based spellings, syllable patterns, ending rules, meaningful word parts) in writing words.

  • L.3.2g

    Consult reference materials, including beginning dictionaries, as needed to check and correct spellings.

  • L.3.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning word and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • L.3.5

    Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings.

  • L.3.6

    Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate conversational, general academic, and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal spatial and temporal relationships (e.g., After dinner that night we went looking for them).

  • L.4.2

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

  • L.4.2d

    Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed.

  • L.4.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • L.4.5

    Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

  • L.4.6

    Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being (e.g., quizzed, whined, stammered) and that are basic to a particular topic (e.g., wildlife, conservation, and endangered when discussing animal preservation).

  • L.5.2

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

  • L.5.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • L.5.5

    Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

  • L.5.6

    Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition, and other logical relationships (e.g., however, although, nevertheless, similarly, moreover, in addition).

  • L.6.2.B

    Spell correctly.

  • L.6.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • L.6.5

    Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

  • L.6.6

    Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

  • L.7.2b

    Spell correctly.

  • L.7.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • L.7.5

    Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

  • L.7.6

    Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

  • L.8.2c

    Spell correctly.

  • L.8.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases based on grade 8 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • L.8.5

    Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

  • L.8.6

    Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

  • L.9-10.2c

    Spell correctly.

  • L.9-10.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9–10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • L.9-10.5

    Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

  • L.9-10.6

    Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

  • L.11-12.2.b

    Spell correctly.

  • L.11-12.4

    Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 11–12 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

  • L.11-12.5

    Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

  • L.11-12.6

    Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

Reading Foundational Skills

  • RF.K.2

    Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).

  • RF.K.3

    Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

  • RF.1.2

    Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).

  • RF.1.3

    Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

  • RF.2.3

    Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

  • RF.3.3

    Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

  • RF.4.3

    Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

  • RF.5.3

    Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

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Community Rating

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Featured review by
Johanna S. , Classroom teacher
Classroom teacher
I love VocabularySpellingCity! My students love it as well, they are engaged in each lesson.
I really like how easy the set up was and best of all no worksheets! I do wish it could leveled a little easier to cater to different needs. My lower kids, I have to create a separate list with less words and then choose the activities again. Having more challenging activities to choose from for my higher kids would be great too!
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