Which Wordchain Do I Choose?
These tabs below provide a quick outline of which Wordchain may best suit your needs.
For an in-depth assessment, see our Wordchain Spelling Tests.
You can also view Betsy demonstrating the Games
Wordchain 1 and the processes explained Wordchain explained
Wordchains 2,3 and 4 covered Wordchain 2, 3 and 4 explained
UPDATE: December 2023 -
Wordchain 2024
We are making some very big changes to Wordchain for next year, adding several new features.
- The speed challenge. How far down a chain can you get in 60 seconds? Can you beat that score? This feature is now live.
- A digital version of the fluency sheets, developing rapid blending. Click on any part of the word and hear that part (suffix, blend etc) Analyse the words, and then test yourself to see how many you can read in a minute.
- We hope to add in the big word challenge. (Divided into Big Words, Very Big Words, Huge Words and Colossal Words) The digital guys are working on this, and so far so good. It may or may not be in place for the beginning of the school year.
- Wordchain 5 will be added, all about multi-syllable words, complex suffixes, Latin, French and Greek spelling patterns. This will test most students. This level has a much more sophisticated format. The blending activities relating to this level will eventually be added, but probably not until late next year.
- Dictation sentences relevant to the different levels will be added into the teacher portal.
This will make Wordchain a complete, self-teaching, one-stop shop for all key decoding and spelling skills, from the simplest words to the most complex.
Because Wordchain will be so much bigger, we will be offering a choice of six-month or 12-month licences. A 12-month licence activated on 1st June, 2024 will expire 12 months later, on 31st May, 2024. The school may choose to purchase a six-month licence, expiring on 30 November, 2024.
The licence period covers school holidays, and the pricing reflects this. However, students can login at home, and many choose to do so, especially with a little parental encouragement.
This will mean a shift in prices. We are committed to keeping it all affordable for schools who choose to use Wordchain widely.
The pricing chart is found under the Wordchain for Web tab above
Secondary schools: The fee will be based as a proportion of students in Years 7 – 10, not the full school population. Please ask for a quote.
Note: Schools and other GST registered educational organisations can purchase licences by invoice. Parents and other single licence users will need to pay by credit card.
Note:
We are keenly aware that the demo version of Wordchain was causing headaches for some users, as students log in to this feature and lose progress. We have now completely removed all the Demo versions.
Can the student read these words accurately and easily?
peg lag rod bun fib chum shod mutter hopped rigging winner mossy baggy rubbed chuck fled span smug grab brim tacked rocky
Can the student spell these words?
chin gosh pith bitter saggy batting pegged snob prop flan trap drag picked check
The student should be able to read all the words with relative ease. If s/he makes more than 3 errors in the spelling, or if getting them right takes considerable concentration, then Wordchain 1 is where you should start.
Count mis-spelling ‘ck’ as one error, and using a single consonant where it should be a double as another. These patterns will be further practiced in Wordchain 2. It is better to get a solid foundation in the basics than to leap ahead too quickly.
Can the student read these words accurately and easily?
clump fend brunt lisp split blend trigger frothy mantle spanner shingly trinket flinger flicker swilled plumper thicken speckled snigger crumple stricken
Can the student spell these words?
stump blond crisp scram skilled grumbling simple bluster swindle crumpet frilly slacken tackle bungled frankly bluster splinter flickered
The student should be able to read all the words with relative ease. If they make more than 3 errors in the spelling, or if getting them right takes considerable concentration, then Wordchain 2 is where you should start.
These patterns are not adequately covered in Wordchain 3. It is better to get a solid foundation in the basics with Wordchain 2 than to leap ahead too quickly.
Can the student read these words accurately and easily?
welt wilt smelter slate swede prone snide splice tinge bony bonny biter smitten stripped striped brail reed gorge spoof loam mundane
Can the student spell these words?
swelter filtered drape stoke stale cheap (or cheep) freed riper ripper croak scorched frighten trail force
The student should be able to read all the words with relative ease. If s/he makes more than 2 errors in the spelling, or if getting them right takes considerable concentration, then Wordchain 3 is where you should start.
These patterns are not adequately covered in Wordchain 4. It is better to get a solid foundation in the basics with Wordchain 3 than to leap ahead too quickly.
Can the student read these words accurately and easily?
shroud dredged tribute spurn blotched yearn statute furtive mirth laird wearily macaw shrew foible taut furze
Can the student spell these words?
smudge earnest slouched immune urge clutched squirm repair bearded flawless screw embroider launch protrude exclude burden
The student should be able to read all the words relatively easily, and spell most of them. If not, then Wordchain 4 is for you!