If only SpellingCity.com had been around during my children’s elementary school years. Today’s students can type in their spelling words, click a “test me” button, and have the computer take over quizzing responsibilities previously held by parents, in my case usually while attempting to prepare dinner.

The free tool’s friendly interface is easy to use and allows children to listen to a word, or hear it in a sentence, before typing their answer. For more challenging lists students can choose the “teach” button to have each word spelled and defined prior to taking the practice test. For extra practice, the site can also use spelling lists to generate word searches and scramblers, matching games, alphabetized lists, and crossword puzzles.