Let's Make Words ~ TOS APP Crew Review

I am so excited to be sharing with you today, for the first time, as a member of the New TOS APP Crew!  Yep, we are now reviewing APPs for iPod, iPads, and more.  So, without further ado, I give you...

BFH

Barchoshky Fluent Handwriting

'Let's Make Words'

iPad app

If you are like me you love to find fun and educational books, games and activities for your children to encourage any area of learning you can even when school is not 'in session' [don't tell my children but school is always in around The Brasher Homestead - Life is Learning]. The TOS APP Crew has been given a wonderful opportunity to review a fun and yet educational new APP for the iPad.  A fun way to introduce handwriting to your up-and-coming writer or even your struggling writer. 

"Learn and teach handwriting with phonics, an app designed by a Handwriting Specialist and an Early Childhood Specialist. The purpose of Letters Make Words is to help beginning writers develop good handwriting habits for all academic and adult needs, and to learn basic phonemes.

 

The first screens offer suggestions of how to use Letters Make Words. Then letters are presented. The user can select any letter. Each one comprises a complete unit of instruction for that letter, a warmup pattern, the letter and a word to trace and to sound out. When a letter has a different sound depending on its usage in words, choose from either of two words. The next screen has three words to sound out with a silly sentence for the child to write on paper." ~iTunes Store Description

Using your iPad and writing finger [index finger] your child learns the fluid motion of the Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting method and learns how to spell phonetically.  BFH is a form of writing in intalics where your child is given the ease and flow of connecting letters into words.  I love this way of writing.  I write naturally this way myself and find that it allows my children the ability to flow through the letters without struggle that some boxed and up-and-down letter don't allow.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

After a brief written introduction on how the program works, you are taken to the screen above. We chose the BEGIN option to begin with.  Here your child is guided, by a lovely voiced lady, through pattern writing and writing letters directly on the iPad [super cool - who knew back in the 70's...never mind it makes me sound really OLD].  Once they have completed a couple of exercises with the letter pattern/letters they are then prompted to trace several words containing the letter sound just practiced.  They are also asked to try and practice writing these words in a sentence [given at botton of screen] on a seperate piece of paper.

Your child can also choose the letter they would like to practice.  The narrator will again guide them through pattern and letter writing and then a word containing the letter sound.  She has them trace using her melodic 'up and then doowwnnn and up and then doowwnnn and then up'.  Moving through the pattern/letter she asks them to talk through it with her the second time. 

Anna has really enjoyed working with this program.  No matter where we are she can pick up the iPad and just practice handwriting.  I recommend this program for anyone wanting to try the Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting method and also to encourage better handwriting skills.  How many programs can you buy for $2.99.  I believe you are going to enjoy this one.


BFH Let's Make Words at the iTunes Store:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/letters-make-words/id478304226?ls=1&mt=8
PRICE: $2.99
Category: Education
Released: Nov 16, 2011
Version: 1.0
Size: 31.9 MB
Language: English
Seller: Swansbury, Inc.
©2011 Swansbury, Inc.
Rated 4+
Requirements: Compatible with iPad. Requires iOS 3.2 or later

From My Heart to Yours,
Mindy B.
Revelation 12:11

Please visit the TOS Homeschool Crew and READ more reviews on BFH Let's Make Words iPad App.

Disclaimer:  As a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, I received products, for free, for review.  All of the opinions expressed on My Own Sense and Sensibility are solely my own, and I only suggest products or services that we personally use or believe will be helpful to my readers.