# Short Vowel Word Study — Making Reading Fun!

> Hands-on short vowel word study for early spellers. (iPhone/iPad app by This Reading Mama, LLC..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/short-vowel-word-study/id919696645 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [This Reading Mama, LLC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1169090181)
- Category: Education, Games, Word
- Price: $3.99
- Rating: 2.92/5 from 12 App Store ratings · 9 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 43 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2014-09-24
- Data updated: 2026-06-24
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/short-vowel-word-study/id919696645/reviews.md

## What is Short Vowel Word Study?

Teaching kids to spell includes much more than a list of spelling words students should memorize and write on a spelling test each week. Effective spelling methods do not rely on rote memorization, but are developmentally appropriate and hands-on. Word Study is a widely research-based spelling approach whose purpose is to “examine words in order to reveal the logic and consistencies within [the] written language system and to help student achieve mastery in recognizing, spelling, and defining specific words” (Words Their Way, Bear, et. al, 2012).
 
Word Study is developmentally appropriate because it takes into consideration what the student understands or does not yet understand about spellings and word meanings to discover where spelling instruction should start. This is accomplished by looking at the student’s misspellings of certain word patterns (from simple words like man to more complex words such as multitude). It is hands-on in that it requires students to analyze, manipulate, and create meaningful and logical generalizations of how word spellings work.
 
Short Vowels Word Study app is based on the Word Study approach described above and is for students in the late Letter Name-Alphabetic Spellers to early Within Word Pattern Spellers, according to the spelling development levels of Words Their Way.
 
Short Vowels Word Study helps kids learn the spelling patterns related to word families and longer short vowel words through developmentally appropriate and hands-on spelling activities.
 
Short Vowels Word Study teaches kids who are ready for:
> word families,
> short vowel words (CVC), and
> longer short vowel words with blends and diagraphs (CCVC and CVCC)

The Spelling Activities Included:
SORT IT - Sorting words based on their spelling pattern.
FIND IT - Analyzing words based on their patterns and finding the one that does not fit based on its phonics sound or visual pattern.
SPELL IT - Manipulating letter tiles to spell short vowel words.
WRITE IT - Spelling short vowel words by tracing and writing the word.
 
Short Vowels Word Study Bonus Sections
- a parent section that explains the theory behind the spelling activities included in the app
- a “Word Fun” section, where kids can play hands-on spelling games after earning stars from their spelling activities
 
Kids Safe,  No Adds or In-App purchases!  please see our Privacy Policy

PRIVACY POLICY
We take privacy very seriously:
Does not contain ads
Does not contain integration with social networks
Does not use analytics / data collection tools
Does not contain in-app purchases
Does contain web links for parents


To read more about teaching kids to spell through a developmental approach to spelling, visit This Reading Mama or purchase her book, Teaching Kids to Spell.
http://thisreadingmama.com/
http://thisreadingmama.com/teaching-kids-to-spell/

## Key features

- Word sorting activities
- Phonics pattern analysis
- Interactive spelling games
- Letter tile manipulation
- Tracing and writing words
- Parental theory explanation
- Bonus word fun games

## Chart rankings

- #199 in Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (9 of 9)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/short-vowel-word-study/id919696645/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Would be a great app if it had sound

*2024-03-13*

I purchased this app for my 4 yo but it has absolutely no sound, I purchased all three apps and now I want my money back.

### 5/5 — Impressed!

*2019-05-01*

I love this app because it focuses on the development of easy words. I also love that it doesn’t use any characters that are “popular”. It is engaging without being overly distracting. Thank you!

### 4/5 — So close to great.

*2018-12-21*

Overall I am pretty pleased with this game. However, it has no form of traditional gamification that will give the player a sense of progression. The only "reward" is an audio "Great job." It is most useful if you pick a particular thing you want someone to work on and then hand them the iPad. It would really only progress to a great app if you were able to instruct a child they have 30 minutes to play on the game and it would progressively get harder. The Number one complaint from my kid was that the games never end. All of that being said the games included are clever and fun. If you plan on sitting next to a child while they use this it should work great, but self guided play is unlikely.

### 1/5 — No sound!

*2018-10-06*

There is no sound in this app

### 3/5 — Needs a bug fix

*2015-03-20*

Love this app! But on the sling shot game, the letter keeps getting stuck in the top right corner and then we can't exit the screen within the app. Please fix!!!

### 3/5 — Nice!

*2015-01-17*

I like this app. I will use it at school. I would like to see at least a couple of changes. It would be more helpful to hear the letter sounds when spelling than the letter names. The letter printing demos need to be slowed down a great deal. It would be even better to see a colored line showing the letter as it it formed.

### 5/5 — GREAT

*2015-01-03*

Really think this is well thought out and developed. Hoping you are working on a long vowel word study and possibly a silent e app. 😃

### 4/5 — Great app for kids

*2014-11-06*

This app is excellent! The only reason I give it four stars is because there's a sound button but no sound. Work on fixing that and I'll give five stars. Otherwise, the app works excellently.

### 5/5 — Super short vowel

*2014-11-06*

This is a great app to use with a small group, lower students, or to use as a center and even a reinforcement for students finished with their assignments. 
I would love to see a long vowel study come out!!!
Thanks.

## Frequently asked questions about Short Vowel Word Study

### What is the learning approach used by Short Vowel Word Study?

Short Vowel Word Study is based on the research-backed Word Study approach, which focuses on examining words to reveal logic and consistencies in written language, rather than rote memorization.

### What specific spelling skills does Short Vowel Word Study teach?

The app teaches word families, CVC short vowel words, and longer short vowel words with blends and digraphs (CCVC and CVCC).

### What types of spelling activities are included in Short Vowel Word Study?

Activities include sorting words by pattern, finding words that don't fit, spelling words with letter tiles, and tracing/writing words.

### Is Short Vowel Word Study suitable for all ages?

The app is designed for children aged 4+ and specifically targets students in the late Letter Name-Alphabetic Spellers to early Within Word Pattern Spellers stages.

### Does Short Vowel Word Study have ads?

No, Short Vowel Word Study is ad-free and does not contain any advertisements.

### What is the price of Short Vowel Word Study?

Short Vowel Word Study costs $3.99 and is a one-time purchase with no in-app purchases or subscriptions.

### How often is Short Vowel Word Study updated?

The app was last updated on August 8, 2018, with version 3.1. Previous updates were released in 2017 and 2016.

### What devices is Short Vowel Word Study available on?

Short Vowel Word Study is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.1 — 2018-08-08

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Teaching spelling is more than memorizing of a list of unrelated words. It can be meaningful and developmentally appropriate, providing the phonics support that beginning and struggling readers need. Short Vowels 3.0 has been completely rewritten to provide a better developmental approach to effective spelling using the word study method.

With Short Vowels 3.0, you can select the specific word family or short vowel patterns your learners will practice from the three sort menus. Learners can make meaningful generalizations about how spelling works as they sort the words, spell the words, write the words, and play word games with the words from the sorts. This gives learners multiple and meaningful exposure to each spelling pattern.

### 3.0 — 2018-08-03

Teaching spelling is more than memorizing of a list of unrelated words. It can be meaningful and developmentally appropriate, providing the phonics support that beginning and struggling readers need. Short Vowels 3.0 has been completely rewritten to provide a better developmental approach to effective spelling using the word study method. 

With Short Vowels 3.0, you can select the specific word family or short vowel patterns your learners will practice from the three sort menus. Learners can make meaningful generalizations about how spelling works as they sort the words, spell the words, write the words, and play word games with the words from the sorts. This gives learners multiple and meaningful exposure to each spelling pattern.

### 2.0 — 2017-11-17

Minor enhancements.

### 1.1 — 2015-07-03

Updated the app icon.

### 1.0 — 2014-09-24

No release notes.

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## More apps by This Reading Mama, LLC.

- [Long Vowels Word Study](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/long-vowels-word-study/id953806544)
- [Alphabet Sounds Word Study](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alphabet-sounds-word-study/id1000174930)
- [Trace it, Try it - Handwriting Exercises for Kids](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trace-it-try-it-handwriting-exercises-for-kids/id1080790224)
- [Sight Word Games](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sight-word-games/id1151585389)
- [Alphabetic Spellers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alphabetic-spellers/id1257018826)

All apps by This Reading Mama, LLC.: https://appshunter.io/developer/1169090181

## Related topics

[short vowels](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/short-vowels) · [long vowels word study](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/long-vowels-word-study)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-24.*