# The Sounding Out Machine — Assistive Reading Device > Assistive reading tool for children to sound out challenging words. (iPhone/iPad app by FIZZBRAIN LLC.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-sounding-out-machine/id1063090009 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [FIZZBRAIN LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/349835342) - Category: Education - Price: $3.99 - Rating: 4.07/5 from 30 App Store ratings · 24 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 11.2 · 365 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2015-12-12 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-sounding-out-machine/id1063090009/reviews.md ## What is The Sounding Out Machine? The Sounding Out Machine is an Assistive Reading Device. It helps children focus on challenging words in their texts, and then models how to sound out those words. Teachers love to sit next to students and listen to them read. They model how to chunk words, break them into syllables and use phonics skills to figure them out. But teachers don't have enough time to sit with all their students as much as they would like. The Sounding Out Machine does for students what a teacher would do if I she were sitting next to them! Children use the Word Window to isolate and enlarge a difficult word. Then, just like a teacher sitting next to her students, The Sounding Out Machine models how to chunk the word into syllables and use phonics skills to blend the phonemes together and sound out the word. Children can use their own digital word card to practice and become independent. STUDENTS WHO BENEFIT •Students who need modeling in chunking words and using phonics strategies to sound them out. •Students who report their book page looks like a "sea of words" - the Word Window helps them focus in on challenging words. •Students who have difficulty coordinating an index card on a book page. •Students who prefer reading on a screen. MODES •Camera mode - take a snapshot of the book page. •Library mode - load in page snapshots from the photo library. •Typing mode - type in challenging words. TRACKING STUDENT WORK Teachers love the way The Sounding Out Machine emails a report of students' challenging words. They can use this list for instruction or for creating personal spelling lists for their students. NO ROOT WORDS NEEDED Figuring out the root of a word in order to use a dictionary can bog down many young readers. So The Sounding Out Machine allows children to submit a word in many forms, such as "reply," "replies," "replied" or "replying." This allows them to quickly continue with their reading work instead of getting stuck. CUSTOMIZATION Children who need extra support can use a digital card or marker to track the text as they read, in the same way they might use an index card to focus on a line of text. This can be customized in many ways. There are many color choices for word cards, and Shared Reading mode allows children to set a small pointer at the end of each line, just as they might see during a Shared Reading lesson. The keyboard is also customizable, including a regular (qwerty) keyboard or an ABC-order option. VARIETY OF PHONICS MODELS The app supports various phonics models, including Blended or Synthetic phonics. DICTIONARY The app has an extensive dictionary of over 80,000 words, including multiple forms for each root, ("reply" "replies" "replying") and names ("Huggins," "Lorax"). We will continue to expand the dictionary in future updates, so be sure to let us know if you discover a word that needs to be included! ## Key features - Word Window for isolating and enlarging words - Models word chunking and phonics blending - Camera and Library modes for text input - Typing mode for direct word entry - Customizable digital word card and pointer - Reports challenging words to teachers - Supports various phonics models ## Recent user reviews (10 of 24) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-sounding-out-machine/id1063090009/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Found this gem of an app. Just wish I found it sooner! *2022-01-26* Can’t believe there is no recent review of this great app. I hope even more that the creators continue to develop it. With the last two years especially, reading and speech have been impacted. This is such a wonderful tool that empowers them to figure it out or click the “teach me”. We used the option type your own word option when coming across a word they didn’t understand. So the act of typing helps link the letter to sound recognition as well as the wonderfully sounded out words. Please please please keep adding to the library. Going to pass this app along to others. ### 1/5 — The app is bad *2019-04-09* The Cramer dos not work do not wast your money ### 4/5 — Can be helpful *2016-03-06* This app is fun and colorful. However, we found it difficult as you have to take a picture of the page you want to use. Then, you have to type the word you need help with. It does sound out the words great and my daughter was able to follow along. So, as long as you know you have to type in the words, it works great. ### 4/5 — Helpful for struggling readers *2016-03-05* I tried out this app and can see its use to help readers when they come to a word they don't know. I like how it can color chunk out parts of words for older readers. I found typing in the word was the best way to use this. When I took a picture and put a box around it, I still had to type the word in, so that was disappointing. I can also see using this as part of a phonics lesson in small groups of beginning readers. ### 4/5 — Great for helping special needs kids! *2016-03-05* My son has autism and is just getting his words... this is that extra bit of help he needs sounding out new words! Great idea! Love that after working with him a little, he will be able to work on photos of his reading pages independently. He loves not having to ask me all the time! ### 5/5 — A great device to help children read difficult words! *2016-03-05* I'm really impressed with this app. I never knew this existed and I definitely plan to use this with my own son who struggles to read. I'll then take it to school for my first graders! ### 5/5 — For Any Age With Special Needs *2016-03-05* This will be great for someone special to me. Recovering from a stroke - she is having difficulty sounding out words. I am excited to try The Sounding Out Machine with her. Thank you. ### 5/5 — Pretty cool! *2016-03-05* I think this will be very helpful with my students that struggle with words when they are reading. This will encourage some independence on figuring out how to pronounce the word. ### 4/5 — The sounding out machine *2016-03-05* I love this idea! The whole idea of a machine can appeal to lots of little ones! With my son with autism, I feel like the story length would have to be minimal to maintain his attention span after taking the picture, searching and spelling the word. I do love the capability to send to list of struggling words to the parent or teacher! ### 2/5 — Needs more work *2016-03-05* We downloaded the app and the colors are very vibrant and welcoming. When we tried using the "teach me" button initially it was not clear that we had to use our word card, once we figured we need to use a word card to get a word to type in we were not able to see the word card because it was off to the left side of the screen and we were on able to move it to the center to read the words. It was great to type in the one word we could see (all) and hear the iPad voice sound out the letters and then teach us how to say that word ## Frequently asked questions about The Sounding Out Machine ### What does The Sounding Out Machine do? The Sounding Out Machine is an assistive reading device designed to help children focus on difficult words in their reading material. It models how to break down words into syllables and use phonics skills to sound them out, mimicking the support a teacher would provide. ### What are the key features of this app? Key features include a 'Word Window' to isolate and enlarge challenging words, modes for inputting text via camera, library snapshots, or typing, customizable digital word cards and pointers for text tracking, and reporting of challenging words to teachers. It also supports various phonics models. ### How much does The Sounding Out Machine cost? The application is a paid app. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, indicating a one-time purchase for full access to its features. ### Who would benefit from using this app? Students who need modeling in chunking words and using phonics strategies, those who feel overwhelmed by text, children who have difficulty coordinating an index card on a book page, and those who prefer reading on a screen can all benefit from this app. ### Can the app handle different forms of words? Yes, the app is designed to handle multiple forms of root words, such as "reply," "replies," "replied," and "replying." This feature helps young readers avoid getting stuck on word variations and allows them to continue their reading work more smoothly. ## Version history (last 3 releases) ### 2.0 — 2019-04-18 Updated for latest iOS ### 1.1 — 2016-01-13 Phonograms now read as one unit by default. New words added. Be sure to let us know if you find any words you would like to include in future updates! ### 1.0 — 2015-12-12 No release notes. ## More apps by FIZZBRAIN LLC - [Touch and Write](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touch-and-write/id504319132) - [Cursive Touch and Write](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cursive-touch-and-write/id528183660) - [Hebrew Touch and Write](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hebrew-touch-and-write/id547109890) - [Australian Touch and Write](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/australian-touch-and-write/id561573160) - [Shapes Touch and Write](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shapes-touch-and-write/id567317819) - [Random Name Picker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/random-name-picker/id604757788) All apps by FIZZBRAIN LLC: https://appshunter.io/developer/349835342 --- *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 2026-06-10.*