Learning to Read

Reading Eggs http://readingeggs.com/home This site offers a 14 day free trial period. The testimonials I read recommended this program for special needs children who were struggling with reading. The graphics and voice are appealing. The program begins in pre-school and continues through age thirteen.

Word Games

Word Mash is a game to make words from letters. The site offers a game for 1st through 6th grades. There is a time limit. http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-reading-word-mash/index.html

Spelling a Fun Way

If you need a way to spell, why not try Spelling to Classical Music.  See Cathy Duffy’s review for more details and, in particular, note the cost.  http://cathyduffyreviews.com/spelling-vocabulary/Spelling-to-Classical-Music.htm

Digital Library and Reading Development Site

 

Starfall.com   Starfall.com opened in September of 2002 as a free public service to teach children to read with phonics. Our systematic phonics approach, in conjunction with phonemic awareness practice, is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, first grade, second grade, special education, homeschool, and English language development (ELD, ELL, ESL). Starfall is an educational alternative to other entertainment choices for children. (from site)

The graphics are delightful – sparkly letters, colorful pictures and letters. I enjoyed the ABC’s, the matching games, creating stories (children learn parts of speech by putting in action words – verbs).   Be sure to read the “About Us” section.  This is a fun way to learn phonics, spelling and reading.  Enjoy this site.

 

The International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL) brings a worldwide collection of free children’s books to the iPad, iPhone and computer.  Click on the book, use the tool bar on screen to increase size or turn pages.  Enjoy reading! 

 

SIGHT WORDS

Sight Word Solutions

Struggling with sight words when reading and writing, try these sites.

Learn Dolch Sight Words.  This website uses games to reinforce sight words.  Enjoy!  http://www.mrcpl.org/literacy/lessons/sight/index.html

Room 108 Dolch Word Games.  This site says the word on the computer and then asks the student to spell it.  The sight words are utilized in sentences reading paragraphs and a variety of other ways.   Enjoy!  http://www.netrover.com/~crose/dolch/dolch.htm

Here are some of games on this site:                    

(1) Listen and Spell: This is a game where the student is dictated a word and given a group of mixed up but correct letters and has to click the correct letters to spell the word. This game is timed and marked by the computer.

(2) Listen and Match: This is a game where the student must flip cards to match the sound with the word. This game is set for two players to play against one another.

(3) Jigsaw: This is a game where the student must fit a word into a groove where they can click to hear the word

There is a link to the Teacher Store which has a several items on sale.  A school license may be purchased for about $79.00 which allows all teachers in a school to access specific materials.  http://www.netrover.com/~kingskid/licensing.htm

School Licensing

Everything in the Teacherstore for all the Teachers at your school. At home or in class. Unlimited, no time limits, only a one time payment of $79.99.

DK Daily Teach

DK Daily Teach is an interesting resource for teachers and parents (especially those who homeschool).  The newsletter tells what happened on that particular date in history and offers one clip art picture daily for free.  In addition, there are fun math and language drills for children.  Interestingly, there is a current topic, taken from the daily newspaper, with discussion with ideas for lessons(K-12).  I especially enjoy knowing which famous person has/had a birthday that day.  Using these little trivia tid-bits, helps capture the young minds. Be sure to sign up if you’d like to receive the newsletter daily.  http://us.mg1.mail.yahoo.com/dc/launch?.gx=1&.rand=1pl5orrcubrv5   Enjoy!