Printing

This is one of my absolute favorite apps for giving students practice with printing letters and numbers. At this time, the letters are uppercase only (with a very small lowercase). For students who benefit from "rainbow writing", this app is wonderful. Students can choose from 10 different colors and can trace the path with color as many times as they like. A feature that I particularly like about this app is that it also features a whiteboard with colors so that the student can then practice printing on their own!!! A memory game is also included, but the pictures are very small. I've been able to trial this app with a lot of students who are struggling with printing and have found it to be highly engaging, easy to use and very effective.
 * PreSchool Education HD (Sound House LLC) (Free)**

I don't see a lot of D'Nealian printing approach in my schools, but there are some students who do benefit from a style of printing that does not require a lot of pencil lifts (which is required of manuscript printing methods). This app is a wonderful app for students using or needing to learn the D'Nealian printing method. The app scores each letter attempt and requires students to master correct technique. While this app is not for everyone, it certainly is a nice option. BTW, I now have excellent D'Nealian printing...
 * Letter Practise (Backflip Education) ($0.99)**

Available in both iPhone and iPad editions, this is a great app that uses a 3 line approach to printing. The multi colored lines (dark blue top line, light blue middle line and red bottom line) is a nice match for students using this kind of paper. The app incorporates upper case, lower case and numbers. Students can watch a model being formed, then trace along a shadowed path. Selecting the question mark icon at the bottom of the screen gives feedback on your tracing. Little red dots appear when you don't stay on the lines, along with feedback to "try again"; positive feedback and gold star for correct tracing.
 * Trace Right ($0.99)**

This handwriting game app is a fun tracing game for letters and numbers. Lots of auditory feedback and opportunity to rotate the iPad to "catch" the moving letter provides students with a fun way to practice tracing. I'm a big fan of this app, however I have a few students who get easily frustrated by the fact that you must trace somewhat correctly. Assessing whether your student is ready for this app due to the smaller size of the tracing and the need to be fairly accurate is important. For students who do not get easily frustrated, this app is fantastic! Fun fact: this app is now also available in french and spanish!!!
 * iWriteWords ($2.99 for full version,** Lite version free)

Here's a printing app that requires students to trace letters (following verbal and number dotted cues). Accuracy is important here, but the larger size makes this app easier than iWriteWords. Upper and lower case letters and numbers are practiced following a traditional manuscript approach. One of my favorite things about this app is that you can add students and have report cards to track student performance with WiFi connection.
 * Pre-K Letters and Numbers (Brightstart) (Free)**