Embark on a colorful journey of language development as we delve into the efficacy of using the Rainbow Sentences app in therapy. You might have noticed a brief mention of Rainbow Sentences in my post, 10 Apps that Stand the Test of Time. I’d like to delve into creating grammatically correct sentences in more detail with the vibrant features of this app.
Rainbow Sentences, developed by Mobile Education Store, is accessible for $9.99 on the iPad platform.
I was given this app over a decade ago so I could put it to the test and offer a first person, hands on review of the product.
PROS:
- You can toggle to allow sentence recordings to build expressive language skills and practice articulation of speech at the sentence level.
- Reinforcing puzzle completion after accurately word ordering several sentences. The app stores the puzzles for you so when you return to your profile, you can pick up where you left off.
- You get a nice break down of how many items clients answered correctly on their first, second, and third attempts for each complexity level. Plus, you can email this information!
- Shown a scrambled sentence, you select “show,” then “play lesson.” This tool teaches sentence formation by answering questions, color-coding parts.
- This tool guides clients in formulating sentences, answering questions, and color-coding sentence parts like “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “why.”
Rainbow Sentences Settings
First, you set the stage at the settings screen. Select the on or off mode for the following:
- Audio instructions
- Correct answer reinforcement
- Record correct answer
- Line color coding: Subjective parts of the sentence are coded in blue, while the predicate portions are red.
- Word color coding: For more support, you can allow clients to match words to designated line colors.
- Word grouping: Challenge your clients a bit by selecting this option and just a few lines are shown. Users must group words together into an accurate sentence with minimal cueing.
Levels of Play
There are three complexity levels in Rainbow Sentences for constructing short to longer grammatically correct sentences. The first level is simple: sequence a few blocks or 4-5 words into a grammatically correct sentence order.
The second level is slightly harder as it requires sequencing three blocks or seven words into a grammatically correct sentence.
The last level is the most difficult and can contain four blocks or as many as fourteen scrambled words.
As stated in the PROs section, you receive a breakdown of correct answers for each complexity level on first, second, and third attempts. Plus, you can email this information!
I couldn’t find any cons to owning this app, especially if your child needs help with constructing grammatically correct sentences.
Nanette Cote is an ASHA certified speech pathologist, published author, and private practice business owner with 30 years experience.
