Showing 6 results
June 10, 2021
Too bad they made changes
Not as good as the Spelling City version. All was going smoothly with transition until they changed the practice test element. My students did the practice test daily before games. Previously, they could then quiz on the words they missed. Then they changed it. Our test averages were 95%-100% prior to the change. My student's grades plummeted after that.
After change, 75%, with two tests needing to be retaken (even lower than 75%). Quarterly average went from a consistent 98% down to 90% (only because two tests had to be retaken)! For years, they have been consistent 98%. Test scores went down 20-25 points. Vocab A-Z customer service recommended that I have student write and practice writing missed words and to quiz them verbally. If I am doing that, what is the point of having a program?? Also, test printouts are antiquated. Previously had how many missed and the test average. Now only shows how many missed and I have to go manually calculate the average. That would be fun for a teacher with multiple classrooms. Also, spelling tests would not only show misspelled words (how student spelled them on the test), but also the correct spelling. New tests only have a checkmark that student missed it. Then I just got my renewal notice and they are tripling my annual rate from what I've paid under Spelling City for years. No thank you. This customer for the past 8 years is leaving. Big mistake changing to Vocabulary A-Z ;-( I have already left my opinion with the customer service rep (2 different ones) and told them which recent changes they made that were detrimental to my student. I waited several months hoping it would be corrected, but I think the changes are here to stay...sad. Now researching other programs.
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May 1, 2021
Disappointed and Will Not Renew
Before KAZ/VAZ purchased SpellingCity, both the students and I were very happy with their services. Students would continue to use SpellingCity to practice their words even after the assignment had "closed". Unfortunately, once SpellingCity was acquired by KAZ/VAZ, the games started freezing or would not work at all on a multitude of devices and operating systems, regardless of the type of wireless or wired network. The students cannot repeat the activities once they have been completed once, which goes against the reinforcement of generalization among the terms, and the number of students who become frustrated and voice their frustration about the glitches grows each week. I've contacted the company on several different occasions and the result is always the same: nothing will nor can change. My school district will not be renewing our subscription in the future. If we could have, we would have pulled our subscription once SpellingCity was taken over.
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April 5, 2021
Bummer to turn a great product into a difficult one when teachers are trying to purchase this program out of pocket. I have emailed and get no response.
If this went back to the way it was, I would continue to purchase this program. The way it is now will cost them to lose customers. The switch from spelling city to a-z changed nothing and I didn't receive any new products. They claim we now have vocab but we had it before as well. I work with several teachers who pay out of pocket and will not continue to do so if this remains the same.
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2 people found this helpful.
January 9, 2021
VAZ acquired Spelling City, recently. Spelling City allowed you to enter a word list which the platform would use to create phonic, spelling and vocabulary games which now gives VAZ a more integrated platform.
It's a great time saver and carefully targets my word study, phonics, spelling and vocabulary needs for each student with premade lessons you can pull from RAZ, many textbook adoptions or word lists you create yourself. LOVE this program.
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July 11, 2016
Great supplement to vocabulary instruction
This is an easy to implement vocabulary program that requires little preparation. I like that is user friendly and can be used weekly for a vocabulary routine. Additionally, it is not just words and definitions. The practice pages include analogies, sentence completion, and application to check for deeper understanding.
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August 30, 2014
This is a great teacher resource to customize vocabulary lists and lessons for differentiated instruction!
Vocabulary A-Z is an effective teaching tool that helps to increase vocabulary for all types of learners. It's a terrific time-saver that offers customized or pre-made lessons. The lesson plans and the ability to customize vocabulary assessments make it easy for planning and preparation. Teachers can incorporate vocabulary into all content areas which helps students to expand their knowledge. Students can become better readers and writers as a result!
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