Description (straight from Everyday Speech):
Our story based approach provides a context for learning language - giving the words meaning rather than simple imitation and memorization. Let's Use Language promotes literacy and provides an excellent starting point for further discussions and learning beyond the scope of the story.
Each lesson comes with interactive Q&A to stimulate discussion and measure retention. After reading the story, users answer 5 questions focused on the skill at hand. Custom illustrations accompany each question and provide additional context.Features (from Everyday Speech):
- 10 stories written to introduce children to language development concepts
- 40 lessons focused on common core language concepts, specifically: Knowledge of Language, and Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
- Interactive Q&A in each lesson, promoting retention and providing feedback
- 138 custom illustrations designed to make the stories fun while providing a context for language
- Complete customization: create your own skill sets, stories, and lessons using your own pictures and text!
- Full text-to-speech support for all content, including user created content
Now let's check it out a little further. First, select your skill set. You have four choices: vocabulary, sequencing, categories, and opposites.
Click on the target story, and it will open up a screen that looks like the picture below. If you click on the speaker button on the left above the story, the app will read the story to you!
Click either "Start" or "View questions" and it will take you to a screen like the one below. Again, click on the speaker buttons to have the question and answers read aloud.
One of my favorite features of the app is that you can create your own lessons! This is what Everyday Speech says-
Let's Use Language allows users to easily create their own stories and lessons, complete with Q&A! You can even use your own pictures! Turn any paper-based lesson into an interactive experience your students will love! Write stories with your class for an all-inclusive learning experience, or turn a field trip into a story starring your students! Users can also add questions to existing stories and lessons.
The app also features a great settings menu, where you can learn more about Everyday Speech, share the info with a friend, check out other apps from Everyday Speech, and turn on/off text-to speech!
Overall, I really like this app. I loved that I already knew how to use it because it's the same format as their other app (Let's Be Social). Even if I hadn't known how to use it beforehand, it would have been extremely easy for me to figure out. My students enjoy the story format, so this app definitely gets and holds their attention! I really like that it covers multiple areas of language and that there are a lot of stories per skill set.
So in summary...
What I love:
-It was developed by SLPs.
-It goes along with the Common Core.
-It is extremely easy to use.
-It is story-based, which peaks student interest.
-It has a wide variety of stories for each skill set, and the stories are applicable to our students.
-You can add your own lessons or skill sets.
-There is an option to have the app read the story, questions, and answers.
-It can be used with a lot of different students--those with autism, those with language disorders, those who are learning English.
What I would love to see in a future update:
-The app mentions that it is based on Common Core, but it doesn't list which standards are used. I would love for the specific standards targeted to be listed after the title of that section. For example, list the related vocabulary standards after the title. This will allow for the SLP to connect their IEP goals with the standards more easily. I also don't know the rules about using the standards, so this may not be possible.
Would you like this app? It is available NOW on iTunes for $9.99!
Everyday Speech was super generous to donate TWO codes for lucky readers to win. Enter the giveaway below! Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Note: A code for the app was provided for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions expressed are mine.
This app would be perfect for all of my language groups! It looks like it targets many language goal areas.
ReplyDeleteAlways looking for new language apps. I will have to check this out!
ReplyDeleteI want to use this app with my high-articulation and my language kids. I'd also like to try it out to see if it's something I'd recommend to some of my families. I also want this app because working with the preschool special ed program for the county means we have pretty much a $0 materials budget.
ReplyDeleteI work as a SLP at a non-profit pediatric hospital with little-to-no budget for apps. We serve kids ages 0-21 years so this looks fabulous to use with a wide range of ages especially with the option of creating your own lessons. Thanks for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that having the Common Core Standards for each activity would help tremendously! I am in the process of adding this information to my commonly used lesson plans, and I think it's great to be able to go back and review that information.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! I would use this with almost all of my students. I like the idea of customizing stories and activities. The interactive interface would also be a great motivator.
ReplyDeleteI have a large, varied caseload in the public schools. I would have so many students to use it with!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to use this app in therapy groups with my students.
ReplyDeleteI love to use stories in my therapy. I would use this app a lot!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your reviews. I am looking for apps that cover a wide variety of skills to suggest for purchase for our clinic iPads. It is especially helpful to note both positives and negatives, and knowing sills are evidence-based.
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