Learn with Homer {Review & Giveaway}

I am a mother to a pre-reading little girl and an elementary school teacher (I've taught almost every grade from pre-K to 5th grade) and I am constantly on the look out for some great literacy apps for my home and school iPads. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to spend some time using the Learn with Homer app with Jenna.  She loves it and so do I.  It is a FREE app (available on 2nd generation and above iPads only), developed by literacy experts, and targets kids ages 3-6.  It incorporates drawing, voice recording, stories, songs, and more, along with more traditional phonics exercises to teach kids how to read. 
Jenna has been using it for a couple of weeks and specifically asks to play on "Mommy's work iPad" just to use this app.  The graphics are great and the content is perfect for pre-readers and ELLs. 

Amazing graphics

Here are some of the basic Learn with Homer features:

Learn to Read teaches your child to read with phonics lessons and games.

Story Time unlocks the joy of reading with original and classic stories, poems, and rhymes. 

Discover the World builds knowledge and vocabulary with science, history, and related fiction. For example, children might study peacocks and then read a Peacock fable.

Homer’s Clubhouse allows children to draw and record their reactions, ideas, and dreams.

Parents can even track children’s learning and share their creations on the companion website www.learnwithhomer.com/parents.

The app is free to download, and includes one level of Learn to Read and one Discover the World pack, plus access to the Clubhouse and parent tools. Additional content is available through in-app purchase.

Jenna has been enjoying it (especially the voice recording part) and I can definitely see how teachers can use this in their classrooms.  The part I think is great for teachers is that children can navigate the app on their own, but you can still keep track of their progress!

This is my first real review on my blog and I would only put something on here that I believe has real merit.  Definitely check out Learn with Homer if you have a young reader at home or a class full of kids who want to learn to read in a fun way!

GIVEAWAY: I am giving away a $25 credit to the Learn with Homer Society6 shop to one lucky reader. The winner can choose from the gallery of original illustrations featured on the app! To enter, just leave a comment below. 

A winner will be randomly selected on Tuesday, August 20.

{All opinions stated are my own. I was provided with a gift card to make in-app purchases to facilitate my review.}