RickerPatton190

This is the second in a series of articles that I am writing about free educational websites. Starfall is a website that also provides educational fun through games, videos, crafts and storytelling while teaching basic computer skills. This web 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 set up in sections for four stages of reading development, games and activities areas. It features:

o ABCs - On this section, there is an alphabet chart that 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 long and short vowel sounds. A sign language section teaches kids to sign the ABCs.

o Learn to Read - Within this section, there are fun animated music videos teaching the letters from the alphabets and sounds that every one makes. Stories that follow the music videos repeatedly use words containing the letters. The approach to teaching pronunciation is very creative. The "chunk that word" video is really 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 see - This section uses Art, Magic, Music, Poetry, Tongue twisters and riddles to demonstrate how fun it is to read. There is even a task that lets the kid create a story about their self.

o I'm Reading - This has plays, comics, and other types of stories to include folk tales, fiction, nonfiction, Greek myths and Chinese fables for your child's enjoyment.

o Games and Activities include building a calendar, holiday activities, word hunt, look for a clover and earth day recycling games. Additionally, there are more opportunities for creating stories.

o There is an online store for purchasing educational materials.

o Starfall printed material an internet-based printouts are available in the download area.

o Numerous pages throughout the site have suggestions for parent or teacher use of the materials on the page.

o Stargazer - Kindergarten curriculum is really a new offering of Starfall. This can be a Kindergarten reading and language arts program available for sale.