Wordshark - Literacy Software for Children

Wordshark is a computer program to help you read and spell.

It uses 55 specially designed games to teach and to reinforce reading and spelling using 9,000 pre-recorded words grouped in specially selected word lists. You can also add your own words.
 
The numerous permutations of games and word lists create both variety and motivation.

Wordshark includes:

• a high quality phonics approach to reading based on 'Letters and Sounds'.
• Different games include blending sounds into words for reading and also segmenting into sounds and syllables for spelling.
• All common letter patterns and auditory patterns are covered, also spelling rules, homophones, alphabet and dictionary skills.
• The tailored games and structured word lists make Wordshark especially useful for students with dyslexia as well as for general use.
• The games are excellent for use on an interactive whiteboard and children enjoy playing the games on the big screen. An on-screen keypad is provided with the program.
• The program has an A4 size manual with advice on use of the program. There are also on-screen help boxes for every game as well as pop-up teaching notes.
• Variable speeds and other options meet all levels of skill.

The program includes: phonics, onset and rime, homophones, spelling rules, common letter patterns, visual and auditory patterns, prefixes, suffixes, roots, word division, high frequency words, use of words in context, alphabet and dictionary skills and more.

The games and selection of pre-recorded words have been specially targeted 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.

Operating systems
PCs need Windows XP, Windows 7 (or Windows 8 - but not in touch screen mode)
Apple Macs need OSX 10.4 to 10.8

Networks
Schools should buy a licence based on the maximum number of computers that need to use the program at any one time.

Single User Version (also sold in packs of 3 and 5)
This version can be installed on and moved between any stand alone computers with CD or DVD drives, but needs the disk in to run. It is not intended for use on networks, many of which will not accept this version.