WisdomChamberland721
This is the second in a series of articles that i'm writing about free educational websites. Starfall is really a website that also provides educational fun through games, videos, crafts and storytelling while teaching basic computer skills. This site is exceptional at teaching and developing reading comprehension and phonics skills. Although it is designed for first grade, Starfall is a great website for Pre-K through second grade. Starfall.com is placed in sections for four stages of reading development, games and activities areas. It features:
o ABCs - Within this section, there is an alphabet chart from where kids can click on each letter to discover the sound it makes and to hear it used in a word. There is also a row of vowels that, when clicked, teach kids the vowels and short and long vowel sounds. A sign language section teaches kids to sign the ABCs.
o Figure out how to Read - On this section, there are fun animated music videos teaching the letters of the alphabets and sounds that every one makes. Stories which follow the music videos repeatedly use words containing the letters. The method of teaching pronunciation is quite creative. The "chunk that word" video is actually cute and fun as it teaches how to break words up and pronounce each chunk to be able to learn to pronounce the entire word.
o Star Fall - It's Fun to Read - This section uses Art, Magic, Music, Poetry, Tongue twisters and riddles to show how fun it is to read. There is even a task that lets the kid create a story about his or her self.
o I'm Reading - This has plays, comics, and various types of stories to add folk tales, fiction, nonfiction, Greek myths and Chinese fables for your child's enjoyment.
o Games and Activities include creating a calendar, holiday activities, word hunt, locate a clover and earth day recycling games. There are also more opportunities for creating stories.
o It comes with an online store for purchasing educational materials.
o Starfall printed material an internet-based printouts are available in the download area.
o A number of pages throughout the site have ideas for parent or teacher use of the materials on the page.
o Stargazer - Kindergarten curriculum is really a new offering of Starfall. This is a Kindergarten reading and language arts program available for sale.
