Practice spelling patterns in a "Catchy" way with iPad

Are you trying to teach younger learners how to spell or understand word patterns?

Forget the days of writing words over and over again on paper to remember them.

Welcome to the world of Augmented Reality!

Augmented reality is one of the most actively developing technologies and although most people think of it as something associated with older grades, it can certainly assist our early learners with unique and personalized learning experiences.

Enter the app Catchy Words AR that allows students to use their iPads to literally catch letters in the air and use them to spell words. Catchy can be used anywhere, inside or outside. You can use the words pre loaded from the app or customize it and include your own personalized word list.

Ready to try it? Follow the examples below to get started.

Once you open the app point your camera at an open space and get ready to pop the word bubble.

Once you find a letter, place it in the correct box to form a word.

Customize the experience by adding your own words. Click the four lines in the upper right hand corner and click the + sign.

Want some more ideas on how to use Catchy in the classroom?

1. For special education classes, you can use Catchy to help students recognize and learn the letters in their name.
2. While using Catchy, have students take a screenshot of the word that they made. In the photos app, use the Markup feature to write rhyming words, or sentences with the word that they made.
3. If you are using the words directly from the Catchy app and NOT using your own words, have children screen record and make predictions of what the word might be.

Sounds great? How do I manage it?

1. Maybe consider adding a list of words on a small group of iPads and having students work with a partner. You don't need 20 Kindergarteners running around.
2. Try adding a list of 10 words but only "catching" one or two and doing a follow up activity.
3. Have groups take turns finding words and create a class list together.
4. Set a timer and see which group finds a word the fastest.

Now it's your turn. Bring the fun back to learning spelling with C-A-T-C-H-Y!

Download the Catchy Words AR app now.