 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Phrase Wit
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
- Price: $1.99
- Category: Lifestyle
Common Sense Media says
Illuminating look at expressions you're using incorrectly.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Phrase Wit helps older kids nail tricky phrases in the English language. Those sometimes funny phrases such as "bide your time," "neck and neck," and "nip it in the bud," can quickly cause embarrassment when one uses them incorrectly ("nip it in the butt," for example). But when older students use these phrases and terms correctly when speaking and writing, it shows a particularly refined command of language skills. The game, lists, and explainers on this app are particularly useful for students in creative writing or public speaking, and for people for whom English is a second language.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn how to correctly say and write common informal or metaphorical phrases that are often misused in English. The phrases in Phrase Wit are probably most meaningful for tweens and up, but not because of any offensive content. ESL students could also benefit from learning the correct expressions. Teens can get a better grasp on quirky phrases; a longer list of sayings would give the app a boost.
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communicationconveying messages effectively, speaking
- Creativity
- Emotional Development
- Health & Fitness
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Self-Directionidentifying strengths and weaknesses
- Tech Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning
What's it about?
Teens can read explanations of each misused phrase as well as quotes from literature to see the phrase in use. There's also a timed multiple-choice quiz section to see if you can fill in the correct phrase in context. If your kid is interested in writing or public speaking, Phrase Wit is a useful tool to identify words and phrases that they may not be using correctly, and also discover some new phrases that might help them speak and write more creatively and vividly.
Is it any good?
For older kids and adults who enjoy the turn of a phrase and speaking in colloquial expressions, PHRASE WIT will hold interest for sure. The "Common Phrase/Mangled Cousin" list, although not definitive by a long shot, is fun to look through and see what you may have been saying incorrectly. The game is also good practice in using the phrases correctly and seeing how many you can choose right off the bat, so to speak. It will be nice to see more phrases added over time, and perhaps more ways to practice putting them to use.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn how to correctly say and write common informal or metaphorical phrases that are often misused in English. The phrases in Phrase Wit are probably most meaningful for tweens and up, but not because of any offensive content. ESL students could also benefit from learning the correct expressions. Teens can get a better grasp on quirky phrases; a longer list of sayings would give the app a boost.
Subjects
- Arts:
- Hobbies:
- Language & Reading: speaking, vocabulary
- Math:
- Science:
- Social Studies:
Skills
- Collaboration:
- Communication: conveying messages effectively, speaking
- Creativity:
- Emotional Development:
- Health & Fitness:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Self-Direction: identifying strengths and weaknesses
- Tech Skills:
- Thinking & Reasoning:
How kids will learn
Phrase Wit's Common Phrase/Mangled Cousin list can help teens realize what they may have been saying incorrectly. A multiple choice game also tests proper use of the phrases in context. And the in-depth explainers with literary examples provide concrete definitions, origins, and usage information.
How parents can help
- Look through the list with your teen and confess any phrases you've been misusing, or tell a funny story of a misused phrase in your past.
- Watch for other colloquial phrases in daily life and point them out to your teen.
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| Category: | Lifestyle |
| Platforms: | iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad |
| Price: | $1.99 |
| Size: | 12.00 MB |
| Publisher: | Ballpoint Inc |
| Version: | 1.2 |
| Release date: | January 9, 2012 |
| Minimum software requirements: | iOS 5.0 or later |
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