Spelling 1-2, Software & Workbook
© 2007 School Zone Publishing
As workbooks go, this 64-page color workbook/software combination is not a bad product. However, the real highlight is the software—a CD tucked into the back cover that runs on either Mac or Windows computers. It sells for $8 (or less) at traditional retail stores or online at www.schoolzone.com. The tedium of learning to spell words is broken by the release of trapped fish, short interludes by a fish band, and the ability to earn corny fish prizes. The workbook contains 62 color-page phonics and early reading worksheets on tear-out pages, while the software contains three solid spelling games that are easy to customize with a child's weekly spelling list. They are: Ship's Galley (type letters to spell words, and earn fish); Coral Reef (put letters in correct order to make words, and hear a band); and Neptune's Cave (pick out the misspelled words from a list of four possibilities). These games use audio well by reading the target words with clear narration and spelling out each word, one letter at a time. Included in the program is a list of 2000 spelling words that can be read aloud, or you can enter your own. It also incorporates a tried-and-true progress tracking method—as a child makes a correct answer, a star is filled in at the bottom of the screen. Upon exiting the program, progress can be printed. All in all, this is an outstanding spelling program that contains the essential spelling program features. You certainly can't argue with the price.
$8, Windows, Mac OSX
Teaches: language, reading, spelling of 2000 first and second grade level worlds
CTR Rating: 96%