SilvasWhiting732
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 website is exceptional at teaching and developing reading comprehension and phonics skills. Although it is designed for first grade, Starfall is a good website for Pre-K through second grade. Starfall.com is to establish 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 select each letter to discover the sound it can make and to hear it found 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 how to Read - Within this section, there are fun animated music videos teaching the letters from the alphabets and sounds that each one makes. Stories which follow the music videos repeatedly use words containing the letters. The method of teaching pronunciation is very 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 demonstrate how fun it is to read. There is even an action that lets the little one create a story about his / her self.
o I'm Reading - This section has plays, comics, as well as other types of stories to include folk tales, fiction, nonfiction, Greek myths and Chinese fables for the child's enjoyment.
o Games and Activities include creating a calendar, holiday activities, word hunt, look for a clover and earth day recycling games. There are also 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 Several pages throughout the site have suggestions for parent or teacher technique materials on the page.
o Stargazer - Kindergarten curriculum is a new offering of Starfall. It is a Kindergarten reading and language arts program available for sale.
