Kids' Vocab - Mindsnacks

Solid word lessons reinforced by somewhat-stressful games

Learning rating

Community rating

Based on 2 reviews

Privacy rating

Expert evaluation by Common Sense

Grades

4–7
Price: Paid
Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch

Pros: Lessons are multimodal and well-organized.

Cons: Some games are a bit hectic, especially for kids who don't like fast-paced word games.

Bottom Line: Great vocab practice for kids who enjoy thinking under pressure.

For classroom use, the best feature on this app is the wealth of progress data provided to teachers and students. Each student using this tool gets a profile page that tracks levels completed, active days, "hot streaks," skills, and achievements. The words they have trouble with are listed, and they're notified via bar graph about how close they are to mastering other words.

Kids' Vocab - Mindsnacks includes nine games and 25 lessons that help kids learn 350 vocabulary words and phrases based on Common Core standards related to spelling, context, categorization, and more. First, students view the lesson. Kids can hear words pronounced, see them as images, read them used in sentences, and learn a fun fact about each. Then kids tap "I'm done reviewing" and move into a mini-game called "Swell," in which they simply tap on a word that matches the word in bold before the time runs out. Kids can move on to other games (with names like "Pounce" and "Belly") that include cute animations but test speed and accuracy when identifying vocabulary words.

The lesson-first format is reinforced with fun games. For lessons, words are listed by groups of related words. By following directions, viewing images related to the words, reading the definitions and words in a sentence, and listening to the words spoken, kids encounter new vocabulary through multiple modalities. They can then reinforce what they learn via the fast-paced games where they practice handling stress and working efficiently. Some of the games in Kids' Vocab -- Mindsnacks can be quite hectic, with words popping up, answers being timed, and fast-paced music in the background. If kids like high-pressure sorts of games, this may be a good vocabulary practice app for them. For kids who need time to think about vocabulary, some games may not be a good fit. Muting the sound may make learning more productive.

Learning Rating

Overall Rating
Engagement

Colorful lessons and games draw kids in, and detailed feedback will keep them striving to improve. Especially engaging if kids like rapid-fire word games.

Pedagogy

Kids are introduced to the vocabulary words through an organized list: Each word is given verbally, in a definition, in a sentence, and with an image. Then vocabulary is reinforced through games.

Support

The app gives clear written instructions. A lot of data is provided, including points earned, number correct, high score, a bar graph to indicate mastery, and a list of "trouble words."

Common Sense reviewer
Dana V.
Dana V. Teacher

Awesome Visual Vocab App

I saw this app in a 2nd grade classroom. It stood out, because it's very visual (amazing graphics) and all of the kids chose to play it. They love this app and it's always great to have engaging apps for centers.

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Privacy Rating

Data Safety How safe is this product?

  • Unclear whether this product supports interactions between trusted users.
  • Users can interact with untrusted users, including strangers and/or adults.
  • Unclear whether profile information must be shared for social interactions.

Data Rights What rights do I have to the data?

  • Users can create or upload content.
  • Unclear whether users retain ownership of their data.
  • Unclear whether this product provides processes to access and review user data.

Ads & Tracking Are there advertisements or tracking?

  • Unclear whether personal information are shared for third-party marketing.
  • Unclear whether this product displays traditional or contextual advertisements.
  • Unclear whether this product displays personalised advertising.

Continue reading about this tool's privacy practices, including data collection, sharing, and security.

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