Spelling Stage

4.7
Where to Buy

 

Spelling Stage App Review

App Info

Price: Free (In-App Purchases)

Overview

Spelling Stage is a spelling practice app designed to be entertaining, flexible, and helpful. A subscription gives access to dozens of preloaded lists containing hundreds of words ranging from fox to chiaroscurist. There is a free trial available so you can see all the app has to offer, as well as a range of subscription options. There’s something here to challenge beginners all the way through spelling be champions. Plus, users can add their own content, easily creating visual, auditory or combination cues.

Features include:

  • Wide array of built-in lists and words
  • Customizable main character
  • Create your own unique word lists
  • Hint system
  • Audio and/or visual clues

Quality

Spelling Stage is a high quality app that is intuitive to use and fun to play. Developers did a fine job of making the app simple enough that even young spellers can play while keeping it challenging and entertaining enough even for students in older grades. There is an easy-to-use control panel that gives access to volume settings, hints, keyboard presentation, sound effects, and a reset button. The keyboard can be set up as a QWERTY or alphabetical mode, which helps younger children who are not yet familiar with the standard keyboard layout.

Education

This app is great for helping children (no matter what their ages) get a handle on English spelling. The built-in lists include basic words such as “fox” and “dog,” as well as a wide array of basic sight words that children must memorize in order to be successful readers.  Words like “what” and “said,” that do not follow the usual phonics rules are best learned as thoroughly as possible, and that includes being able to spell them.  For older students, there are some built-in lists that cover common social studies topics, such as state names, as well as some medium level lists. Experts and spelling bee contestants (and even high schoolers studying for those important tests) can use the highest level lists, which contain words I’ve never even heard of.

The game is set up to mimic a standard spelling bee, where the main character takes the stage and listens to a verbal prompt, sees a visual cue, or both. It’s the player’s job to tap out the correct letters on the virtual keyboard. Incorrect letters produce a quick buzzing sound (quite appropriate for a spelling BEE), and varying numbers of hints are available. More are earned by successful spelling.  The upper level lists also offer some hints and tips for studying challenging words, which when taken together, make a nice study guide.

Perhaps the most useful feature is the capability to easily add personalized words. Simply type in the word, record a cue and upload a picture if desired, and save! It would be a great way to practice those weekly spelling lists so common to elementary students.  The app can also accommodate up to four users, which could promote some healthy competition.

 

Entertainment

Spelling Stage makes spelling about as fun as it can be. Small successes are marked by quick flashes of happy characters. A successfully completed list prompts a delightful band to parade across the screen, complete with floating balloons that list statistics such as the number of correct words and the percentage spelled correctly.

Success also has other rewards.  The main character is somewhat plain when the app is first opened, but good performances on the spelling lists opens up access to extra faces, hats and hair, and more. Once accessed, players can change the look of the avatar whenever they wish.

Value

Spelling Stage is free to try, and offers several subscription options. Purchase a 1 month subscription for $1.99, 3 months for $5.99, and 12 months for $7.99.  The prices are quite reasonable if you have someone in your family or classroom who needs to practice spelling. The app is so flexible and versatile that nearly anyone can benefit from using it.

 

Child Friendliness

This app contains quite a few unprotected links and similar things. The in-app purchase is protected behind a parent gate, but since the app is intended for such a wide age range, the parent gate is only effective for children who cannot yet read.  This means that young elementary children could potentially access the subscription center without permission.

  • NO 3rd party ads
  • YES in-app purchase but behind a parent gates (easy access by reading)
  • YES unprotected links to social media
  • YES unprotected links to email, ratings, and developers’ website
Spelling Stage
Spelling Stage
Spelling Stage is an engaging app that makes spelling practice as much fun as it can be! With a paid subscription, it offers a wide range of words that will be suitable for everyone from preschoolers through adults and makes a great practice tool for an amazing array of situations.
Quality
Education
Entertainment
Value
Child Friendly
4.7
Where to Buy