Montessori Crosswords

App: Montessori Crosswords

Company: L'Escapadou

Cost: $2.99 USD

Device: Apple or Android tablets or smart phones

SAMR Model: Modification

App Map Score: Here

Participatory Literacies Score: Here

Description

Montessori Crossroads is an interactive spelling app. Students can interact with words based off of different levels. They may practice with CVC words, CCVC, CVCC, words with digraphs, or words of any complexity. Students can also practice with words that focus on one sound, letter cluster, or create their own words with a movable alphabet. Students may also select themed lists and spell words that fall under those themes. Letter sounds are narrated as students select them. The users or teachers are able to upload their own lists as well.

The app gives the user a word to spell along with a visual of the word. The letters used in the word are then given and students are to drag and place the letters in the correct place. Students can spell the word on its own or use a crossword function where they can apply letter knowledge between different words.

Differentiation

This app allows for differentiation because it provides different levels of spelling support. Students can create their own words or practice letter sounds in the "Movable Alphabet" function. Students are given opportunities to interact with words that range in difficulty. Students also can interact with themed words or teacher generated lists. Students can practice their vowel sounds with CVC, CVCC, or CCVC words. They can practice words with digraphs or clusters. Students can spell the words separately, or for an extra challenge, complete a crossword.

Montessori Crosswords can be used independently by students or in a group. While this app does not have multiplayer modes, students could use this app taking turns spelling words, putting every other letter into place, etc. This could be used in guided reading groups or literature circles. A teacher can use this app by displaying it on an interactive whiteboard through a streaming device (such as Apple TV) in a whole group setting.

Comprehension

In order for a student to comprehend their reading, students should be able to fluently recognize letter sounds or words. This app helps reinforce phonics and phonemic awareness through repeated exposure and spelling activities. Montessori Crosswords helps reinforce word recognition, allowing for more fluent reading and focus on a text's content. This app may also lead to increased recognition of academic language through teacher generated lists or themed lists. Recognizing these letters, sounds, or words fluently allow for students to quickly decode unknown words. This helps them focus on the story and comprehend their reading instead of getting stuck on unknown sounds or words.

Possible Downfalls

Montessori Crosswords have an interactive component after the user finishes spelling a word. The user is able to manipulate different visual effects. While this may be fun and help build fine motor skills, it does not relate to the literacy content. Students may get distracted and focus on this instead of continuing on to the next word. This function can be turned off in settings.

After engaging in the interactive visual effects feature, the app has the user click a back button instead of a next arrow to move on to the next word. This is not very clear and seems to go against what one would expect when finishing an activity, but I think it can be taught and students will catch on very quickly.

This app offers some ways for students to apply their knowledge by spelling the word prompts and through the moveable alphabet function. In order for students to apply their knowledge using higher order thinking skills, teachers could assign related activities through different apps or digital resources.

L'Escapadou (2017a). Montessori Crosswords photographs. Licensed under https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/montessori-crosswords-fun-phonics-game-for-kids/id384334005?mt=8

L'Escapadou (2017b). Montessori Crosswords (5.1) [Web application software]. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/montessori-crosswords-fun-phonics-game-for-kids/id384334005?mt=8