Word Builder - The Phonics Teaching Tool 2.2.1

Word Builder™ emerges as an essential resource for educators involved in teaching phonics, offering a scientifically grounded approach to developing foundational reading and spelling skills. Developed by speech-language pathologist Dr. Bartek Rajkowski, PhD, this application facilitates a nuanced understanding of letter-sound relationships through an engaging, user-friendly interface. Its design caters effectively to beginning readers, students experiencing reading difficulties, and those acquiring English as a second language.

According to professional assessments, Word Builder™ distinguishes itself by enabling learners to manipulate individual sounds within words, fostering phonemic awareness and decoding skills. Its structured scaffolding allows students to work independently at appropriate difficulty levels with minimal guidance. The integration of Jolly Phonics letter groups adds pedagogical value, supporting multisensory learning strategies. Overall, it represents a practical investment for practitioners seeking to enhance early literacy development in diverse learner populations.

It is important to note:

• The application requires an iPad 2 or higher.
• It includes voice options reflecting Australian, North American, and British English pronunciations.
• While engaging for students, Word Builder™ is designed as a serious educational tool; it does not read or spell words for students but instead facilitates active learning in decoding and spelling skills.
• For optimal results, it is recommended to use Word Builder™ alongside a synthetic phonics program such as Jolly Phonics, MULTILIT, or Letters & Sounds.
• For guidance on integrating the app into your curriculum or personalized instructions, please consult our website or contact us directly.

Skills Developed Through Word Builder™

Research supports that proficient reading involves converting letter patterns to sounds and blending these to recognize words. Decoding is central to literacy acquisition; thus, the app emphasizes effective code-breaking strategies elucidated by decades of empirical evidence. It aims to foster students’ ability to independently decode unfamiliar words by reinforcing these critical skills.

Application of Word Builder™ by Educators and Specialists

• Create words by constructing with letter-sound tiles for learner practice or dictation exercises.
• Customize available letter-sound sets to match learners’ proficiency levels, from basic phonemes to more complex patterns.
• Save personalized tile configurations aligned with specific phonics curricula or individual student needs.
• Utilize an integrated memory-aid feature that supports retention of letter-sound relationships, adjustable according to learner requirements.
• Modify existing words by swapping or removing letter-sound components.
• Construct irregular words through sound modification while preserving original patterns, exemplified by words such as ‘said’ and ‘who.’
• Insert special elements like blank tiles, syllable markers, and apostrophes within words for advanced spelling instruction.
• Capture images of created words and organize lists using the notes functionality.
• Share word constructions via email, social media platforms, Airdrop, and other channels seamlessly.

User Experience for Students

• Encourages experimentation with common English letter-sound patterns in an interactive environment.
• Allows learners to hear phonemes individually by tapping on patterns.
• Supports word formation through pattern combination, fostering active engagement with spelling tasks.
• Provides visual feedback via mouth animation, illustrating speech articulation linked to written forms.
• Enables reordering and replacement of patterns through intuitive drag-and-drop gestures.
• Includes verification features so students can confirm correct spelling of their constructed words.