LetterSchool

Looking for a way to spice up letter formation practice? LetterSchool is one of the top apps to do just that! It puts the focus on correct formation of letters and has kids practice writing many times to ensure retention. Teachers can choose the style of handwriting that fits their curriculum (Handwriting without Tears, D'Nealian style, or Zaner Bloser style) and know that kids are being shown the correct way to form each letter.

Kids can practice writing letters in any order they choose. The app guides them to first tap on the starting points for each stroke, then trace the letter, and finally write it without hints. In the first two steps, kids see special magic ink appear as they tap and trace the letter. Instead of traditional ink, kids may see a row of grass grow, or sparkling lights appear. It's unexpected and fun. If kids struggle in the third step involving their own writing, hints show up to help them. The default is uppercase letters, but teachers can adjust the settings to show numbers or lowercase letters.

After kids go through the entire alphabet, they'll unlock a second level that repeats each letter in the same method -- seeing the animation of how to form the letter, tracing the letter themselves, and then free-writing the letter -- but in the second level, the free-written letter looks like it would if the child wrote it himself.

LetterSchool is a great way for a teacher to make sure all kids are forming letters properly when their eyes can't be on all hands at once. Kids move from watching the letter formed, to tracing the letter, to free-writing the letter themselves. This repetition engages them, scaffolds the learning, and then gives them independent practice. In the second level, when kids see the letter as they've written it, they can be proud of seeing their actual work.

The use of magic ink is highly engaging for kids. They never know what kind of surprising ink will appear, and it keeps them coming back for more. The special ink is only there in the formation steps; when kids actually write a letter, it appears with regular ink. Some may wonder the significance of the animation's connection to the letter, but there isn't one.

Another plus is that LetterSchool doesn't let sloppiness pass. If kids get off of the path, the app has them restart the stroke. The app also reinforces learning the alphabet by introducing a toy to correspond with each letter.

Kids may do best to move to a stylus to make the transition to pencil and paper easier. Unfortunately, there is no left-handed option as of yet.