LetterSchool

© 2012 Boreaal Publishers
$50, iPad, iPhone, Android
Teaches: Handwriting, letter formation, numerals, upper/lower case, D'Nealian, HWT and Zaner-Bloser, reading
CTR Rating: 96%
Editor's Choice

CTR Review

Learning to write letters and numerals will never be the same after a child tries LetterSchool on an iPad's slippery screen. This single app from the Netherlands has raised the bar for all letter/numeral recognition apps. Content includes both uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as numbers from 1 to 10. One of the most valuable features is the ability to toggle between three types of letters/numeral styles -- D'Nealian (used in many US schools), HWT (Handwriting Without Tears) and Zaner-Bloser (the "traditional" format). We also like how you can bookmark up to three sessions over time, so you can see which letters a child has experienced. You start with a set of letters (or numerals, if you have it set up in numeral mode). The letters are set on a timed look, and might giggle or meow at you; effective, but potentially distracting. (It would be nice to either tone this down or have a mute button.) There are no cursive letters making this app more meaningful for the younger grades. In addition, we noticed that some of the animated effects, like the bubbles, feel unresponsive. Each letter or numeral comes with three engaging tracing games designed to introduce the name, sound, and the strokes required to learn it. In Tap, children find the "magic dot" at the beginning of the letter, tap it, and watch as the first part of the letter comes to life. (The letters and numbers might be displayed as grass, that you mow as you trace.) You can then tap the next dots shown at the end of each stroke to complete the next line... when finished you earn a star, and unlock the next game. Trace requires children to trace the letter correctly all the way to the end to earn a star and unlock the next challenge, Write. In this activity children must write the letter on their own without a helper line. This is the type of app that helps you remember why you paid $500 for an iPad.