Wordshark 5

Combine the excitement of games with learning to read and spell

Wordshark's strength lies in its educational integrity. Each of the 60 motivating games provide a multi-sensory approach using sound, graphics and text to teach and reinforce reading and spelling.

It uses over 10,000 sounds and pre-recorded words grouped in specially selected word lists, with the ability to add your own words.The many permutations of games and word lists create both variety and motivation. The program includes a high quality phonics approach which is available for the majority of the word lists.

The games are also excellent for use on interactive whiteboards and children enjoy playing the games on the big screen using the on-screen keypad.

Games include zapping words, tracking through mazes, card games, alphabet bagatelle and many more.
Each of the 60 motivating games is designed to help with one or more aspects of reading and spelling.

• blending sounds into words for reading
• segmenting words in to sounds, syllables, prefixes and suffixes for spelling
• all common letter and auditory patterns
• spelling rules
• syllable work for longer words
• high frequency words
• homophones
• alphabet
• dictionary skills
• use of words in context and much more

For what ages is it suitable?

Wordshark is designed to help students mostly between 5 and 15. The games and the selection of pre-recorded words have been specifically structured to assist those with specific learning difficulties (Dyslexia).
The variety of games, concepts and words make Wordshark suitable for use in both primary and secondary schools as well as for home use, across all ages. Variable speeds and other options meet all levels of skill.

Features

• Over 9,000 words and sounds are pre-recorded
• Personal learning support – by setting up individual program of work for each student
• Records of student activities are kept and student’s specific progress can be tracked
• Interactive whiteboards support – an effective way to use Wordshark with groups. Wordshark 5 comes with its own onscreen keypad. Works great with touchscreen monitors too!
• Customisable speeds and options meet all grades of skills. Choose the words and games that students can use. This can also be done for groups of students.
• Easy to follow manual with tips and advice on use of Wordshark
• Search engine gives quick access to find individual words, letter patterns, and graphemes
• Printouts of word searches, spelling lists, and sentence worksheets (crossword puzzles). Flash cards for each list can also be printed. (A4 size down to credit card size).
• Help screens can be shown and spoken alongside games as you play them
• Your own words can be easily added and recorded

Structured Courses

Wordshark 5 games support the latest recommendations for a high quality phonic program. Teachers have a very wide set of word lists to choose from, grouped into courses. Several can be worked through in sequence or dipped into as needed.

• An easy-to-follow course to support the UK national curriculum
• The Wordshark course (default) – a structured sequential course
• Everyday vocabulary lists (especially useful for ESL)
• Secondary school subject lists
• High frequency words
• A course to support 'Letters and Sounds'
• A course to support 'Alpha to Omega' by Beve Hornsby, Frula Shear and Julie Pool
• An alphabet and dictionary skills course

USB Version

• The USB product offers a versatile single user licence which allows the program to be accessed on any computer with an open USB port.
• There is no need to install the program onto the computer so by simply plugging the USB into the port users can access Wordshark / Numbershark wherever they need to.
• The unique advantage of the USB is that all user data is stored back on the USB itself. Student records and any new word lists created are saved on the USB allowing full mobility between different computers.

These features make the USB option ideal for situations where either the students or teachers require the flexibility to use the programs on different computers and/or at different locations such as home, school or study centres. It enables teachers to ‘manage’ the programs from home by allowing them to set work, review student records and create word lists. The USB stick can then be taken back into the school to use on a whiteboard computer, for example, or for setting work for a child who is off school.