This Makes Spelling Fun!

Spelling tests; we all remember them, few of us fondly.  It isn't that words aren't enjoyable.  As a writer, I'm the first to say they can be.  Petulance, smug, anachronistic, boiled--there are some great, delicious words out there.  It's just that whole test thing; the pressure of having to spell things exactly 100% perfectly in a set, relatively short amount of time.  I wasn't thrilled with the whole process as a child, and neither is my third grade son.  However, we seem to have stumbled on a product that makes prepping for these weekly evaluations a heck of a lot easier (and, believe it or not, quite a bit of fun).

The Franklin KID-1240 Children's Talking Dictionary is part computer (albeit of the low-tech, old-fashioned "Speak and Spell" variety), part dictionary, and part video game (albeit of the low-tech, old fashioned "Pong" variety).  Think of this product as a fun calculator for words.  If a kid types in a word correctly, the definition immediately pops up in clear, easy-to-read text along the small grey screen.  But even better, if a child types in a word incorrectly he is presented with a list of possible correct spellings, and once he selects one he is given the definition.  So, when my son typed in "fabulas," a small, pixilated bird flew across the screen with the word "Sorry!" and then the words "fabulous," "fibulas," and "fables" flashed into view.

You may have noticed I've yet to mention the "talking" part of the Talking Dictionary, and there's a reason: the voice is extremely annoying.  So annoying, in fact, that the first thing my son did was swiftly figure out how to turn the sound off.  I have never seen my son figure out something technological so quickly.  He was like MacGyver.  I actually think this would be a better tool if not for the telemarketer-esque robotic voice.

That said, what makes this toy a great product is how intuitively usable it is for the second through fourth grade crowd.  With a fun selection of games including "Hangman" and "Jumble" and the ability to store personalized word lists, it's complex enough to keep your child entertained and simple enough to use right out of the package.  

It is pricey, though (around $60).  For that kind of money it would definitely be worth it to talk to your child beforehand and make sure it is something he or she would use and find helpful.

As for our family, the Franklin KID-1240 Talking Dictionary has made those Monday night spelling word cram sessions a whole lot less stressful.  Now if the folks at Franklin Electronics can just come up with something to help out with laundry …