In Year 2 at Becontree Primary School the iPads have been used
on many different occasions. In one of our Year 2 classes we
have a child who hardly speaks any English and is at the very
early stages of learning her letter sounds. When the rest of the
class are completing their handwriting practice, this particular
child uses the ‘iWriteWords’ app on the iPad, with the support
of an SSA. This allows the child to practise forming letter
sounds whilst hearing the sound of the letter as well. The SSA
also encourages the child to say the letter sound as well in
order for her to try and learn them. The only slight problem
with this app is that some letters do not conform to the cursive
handwriting style that we teach the children in Year 2. For
example a ‘t’ and ‘l’ are slightly different to the way that we
teach the children. Now that this child has become familiar with
the app, she can use it independently if needed. The iPads have
also been invaluable during Reading and Spelling Workshop
lessons, especially for