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Our Top Tips for Using the Letter Tiles App

Are you using the Letter Tiles app and need a few tips for using it more effectively? We’ve got you covered! Watch as Shanna demonstrates our top 11 tips in the video or continue reading below!

Tips for Using the Letter Tiles App

  1. Add tiles to the word-building area.

    There are three ways to place letter tiles in the word-building area, so take your pick! You can drag the tile from the tile storage area and drop it in the word-building area, you can swipe the tile, or you can simply tap the tile.

  2. Move the letter tiles around.

    There are two ways to move the tiles around the word-building area. Use one finger to move an individual tile or use two fingers to move an entire word.

  3. Remove tiles from the word-building area.

    To remove one tile at a time, drag or swipe the tile down toward the tile storage area. To remove all the tiles at once, simply drag one tile up to the top of the screen.


  4. Search for tiles in the tile storage area.

    The first way to find a tile in the tile storage area is to swipe left until you find your tile. To avoid grabbing a single tile, use two fingers on the screen as you scroll. You can also narrow your search by using the category tabs at the top of the Tile Storage Area to find specific tile types. For example, if you’re looking for a Vowel Team tile, just touch the Vowel Team tab to find your tile.

  5. Use optional tile functions.

    When you touch and hold a letter tile, you are given two options. You can capitalize the first letter on the tile (ear becomes Ear) or you can hear the different sounds the phonogram on the tile makes.

  6. Use the All Tiles option.

    Are you using an older edition of All About Reading and the lessons don’t quite match up? Or maybe you prefer to use the reading version of the syllable tags instead of the spelling version. Choosing All Tiles from the subject drop-down menu gives you the option of using all the tiles from all levels of both programs.

  7. Lock the screen.

    To eliminate the possibility of adding unwanted placeholder boxes or moving tiles around during blending exercises, click the lock icon in the navigation bar above the word-building area.

  8. Give your child fewer tiles to work with.

    If your child is having a hard time spelling a word, narrow his options by placing a limited number of letter tiles in the word-building area for him to choose from.

  9. Use placeholder boxes to help your child segment words.

    When you tap the screen in the word-building area, a light gray box will appear. Each box is a placeholder for a single phonogram and can be moved around just like a regular tile. These Elkonin boxes (or sound boxes) can help children segment words into their individual sounds, a critical skill for spelling. The gray placeholder tiles can be helpful in many situations, such as the lesson in which your child must choose whether to use C or K at the beginning of a word.

    On the other hand, if you or your child finds it frustrating to have these placeholder tiles appear when touching the screen, you can turn them off in the settings menu.

  10. Divide words into syllables.

    When it’s time to divide a word into syllables, you can easily pull the word apart by touching your fingers on the two tiles where you want to split the word and dragging outwards.

  11. Watch the features videos on your tablet.

    Afraid you’ll forget some of these helpful tips? Don’t worry—there are videos right on your app to remind you of all these helpful features! Simply go to the Settings menu and click on either Overview or Advanced Features to watch the videos. To exit the video, touch your screen and find the X button in the upper right corner.

download Tips for Using the Letter Tiles App quick guide

Have you discovered a tip for using the Letter Tiles app? Please share in the comments below!

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Debbie

says:

I purchased the app for our kindle and we are upgrading to an ipad. Will i have to buy the app all over again?

Robin

says: Customer Service

Unfortunately, yes, Debbie. The app has to be purchased directly from the app store, and one app store purchase cannot transfer to another app store. So, if you are purchasing for different type of device, you would need to purchase for each type of device; the programming that makes it work is different for each type. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help!

Elisa Inigo

says:

When is the alphabetize option going to be available?

Robin

says: Customer Service

Elisa,
The Alphabetizing feature is available on the app already! The update went out a couple of weeks ago.

If you are not seeing the Alphabetizing option, make sure your app has been updated. Open the Letter Tiles for Learning app in your device’s app store and see if there is an “update” button there (otherwise it will say “open”). Click to update the app.

If your app is up to date and you still cannot find the Alphabetizing feature, please let us know at support@allaboutlearningpress.com.

Michele

says:

I love the app but I can’t find the scrambling for alphabetizing mentioned in AAS color level 1, lesson 4. On page 61, the Teacher’s Manuel says “From the drop-down menus, select Alphabetize and All Letters.” But I can’t figure out which drop down and I don’t see alphabetize anywhere…

Robin

says: Customer Service

I’m sorry about that, Michele!

The Alphabetizing feature of the Letter Tiles app is not yet functional. We hope to have it available very soon, but we’ve had unforeseen delays.

An easy way to work on this though is to use the yellow phonogram cards instead of the letter tiles. They are easy to shuffle and scramble, too! Our article on How to Teach Alphabetizing has more information and printable activities you can use. Just start with “stage 1” for now; this will be a skill your child can work on gradually over time. In later levels, your student will get practice alphabetizing words to the first, second, third, and fourth letters.

I hope that helps. Thank you for your patience.

Michele

says:

Thank you!

Valerie Walsh

says:

Hello, Can I download the letters app, or do I need to purchase it?

Robin

says: Customer Service

Valerie,
The Letter Tiles for Learning app an optional purchase that can be used in place of the physical Letter Tiles, or on days that you want to take reading or spelling on the go. It is compatible for Android, Amazon, and Apple tablets and touchscreen Chromebooks.

Cait M

says:

My daughter prefers the app over the tiles. I find the app to be quicker to work with, so I appreciate the tips!

Robin

says: Customer Service

I’m glad the tips will be helpful, Cait!

Allison Chavez

says:

I haven’t tried the app yet but I’m thinking it would help us…hoping to try it soon!

Heather

says:

The app is wonderful! I am teaching both my children at the same time and it is great to be able to have each child have their own set of tiles and board to work on.

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you for letting us know that the app is working so well for you and your children, Heather!

Simo

says:

Great , creative and well structured. My kids love to use it! Thank you!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Great to hear that your kids love to use the app, Simo! Thank you!

Kassi Johnson

says:

The app was a game changer for us!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Wonderful to hear, Kassi!

Roxane Kummer

says:

hoping to win this, my daughter could really benefit from using this app

Roxane Kummer

says:

hoping to win this

Pes

says:

I am four kids and tutoring a child, Ive been looking for recourses and this looks amazing. Cant wait to discover more!

Robin

says: Customer Service

I’m glad you like the looks of this app, Pes! Let me know if you have questions or need anything.

Jessica

says:

I have a 4 year old fascinated with letters and numbers. I’m just starting to teach him more officially with fun activities using regular flash cards and matching them and putting them in order and such. I’m excited to begin this program soon! I also have older boys I homeschool that need review. One hates writing, but I know if I do games and programs with him it will help. This year I had 2 miscarriages so school went out the window since I had no program set.

Robin

says: Customer Service

We have lots on our website for teaching letters to little ones, Jessica. Check out our Preschool blog posts!

As for an older student that hates writing, see if you find our Dysgraphia: How can I help my child? The tips there can be very helpful for students that have trouble with the physical act of writing.

I am sorry for your losses, and hope you are healing well.

Claudia Shelton

says:

Great tips, we have had the app since the beginning but not used it to the full potential, this will really help us to incorporate it more into the lessons.

Robin

says: Customer Service

I’m glad these tips will help you use the app more fully, Claudia!

Sylvana Miller

says:

Great tips looking forward to using the app

Sylvana Miller

says:

Great tips looking forward to using the app

Jen

says:

At this point, we have made little use of the app which is disappointing considering the money spent on it. However, my son simply hasn’t needed it. Of course, I have more kiddos and we may use it more with one of the others! :)

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Jen. Yes, some students do not need the letter tiles or app as much, although they are still very useful for demonstrating rules and concepts even if the student doesn’t use them. Hopefully your other children will get more use of it!

Grace

says:

I haven’t used the app as much as I should be because it’s such an excellent resource! Thanks for the reminder :). We love AAR!

Robin

says: Customer Service

You’re welcome, Grace! Glad to hear All About Reading is working well for you.

Leah

says:

So glad I spent the money for the app! My kids and I love it. Such a great tool!

Brenda French

says:

Thank you for the tips! We also use the place holder boxes to space our words when writing out lists of words.

Angela

says:

Oh how I love the letter tiles app!!!! Thanks for these tips!

Roxanne

says:

Great tips! I have two kids using AAR and one using AAS. Using the app makes switching between lessons fast and super easy!

Anita

says:

I really like to teach with letter tiles.

Jennifer

says:

Love the Letter Tile App! It’s a million times easier than keeping track of all the letter tiles on a magnet board!

Robin

says: Customer Service

Thank you, Jennifer!

KW

says:

The app is great! Love how easy it is to use and happy the letter sounds are included.

Melinda

says:

I am impressed with all the thought put into this app! My child loves loves loves using the app. Thanks for the tips!

Brittany

says:

My 1st grader is having great success with this program and it is definitely one of the highlights of our day. I’m excited to try this app out!

Lindsey Jones

says:

My child loves the letter tile app!

Sarittha

says:

I have not used the tile app but using the wooden tiles available in Amazon using your ideas. It does work great from the beginning to struggling readers while substituting the vowels or digraphs etc.

Jamie

says:

These are great tips! I didn’t know I could drag the whole word!