Linda (Australia) Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Given that I need to spend quite a bit of time these days with my older ones, I'm a little concerned about the younger ones - we do read, do various workbooks, etc., but I'm feeling all three need a little more instruction in phonics, but how to find the time? So, I was thinking about 'Headsprout' - looks excellent, but the cost is a little ouch! And, with three users, I have to purchase the programme for each child (there is a discount for child 2 and 3, but still, it's all an extra expense). Has anyone used Headsprout? Or, is there something similar out there - either online or on CD, that provides a systematic method of teaching phonics, that the little ones could do mostly unsupervised? We have several CDs that are phonetic games and such, but I'm looking more for a phonics programme - step by step, lesson by lesson. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amber in AUS Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Have you looked at Reading Eggs which is Australian? My kids really enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Starfall.com is somewhat similar to headsprout, and is free. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 My daughter really enjoyed "Read, Write, Type." It's a bit expensive up front, but can be used by multiple children. Also, I haven't used the second part, but if you buy both together, it's not much more than the first one. http://www.talkingfingers.com/ You can download a free demo. (It took her 8 months to figure out that it was educational, she had to ask permission to "play" it, it took a while before she figured out I almost always said "yes" for that but not for other movies or games.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom0012 Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Given that I need to spend quite a bit of time these days with my older ones, I'm a little concerned about the younger ones - we do read, do various workbooks, etc., but I'm feeling all three need a little more instruction in phonics, but how to find the time? So, I was thinking about 'Headsprout' - looks excellent, but the cost is a little ouch! And, with three users, I have to purchase the programme for each child (there is a discount for child 2 and 3, but still, it's all an extra expense). Has anyone used Headsprout? Or, is there something similar out there - either online or on CD, that provides a systematic method of teaching phonics, that the little ones could do mostly unsupervised? We have several CDs that are phonetic games and such, but I'm looking more for a phonics programme - step by step, lesson by lesson. Any ideas? Linda - I don't really know much about Headsprout, but I did want to mention that Homeschool Buyers Coop was offering a half off deal on this program not that long ago. I don't know if they are still offering it, but it might be worth checking into. Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda (Australia) Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Thankyou - what is homeschool buyer's co-op? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anniet Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Linda, My 6 year old boys have used starfall, click n' read and about 2 months ago I purchased Headsprout. They absolutely LOVE Headsprout. I honestly think it is far better than anything we've done and holds the boys interest so much better. My one twin is even begging to do it on Sundays. I am highly impressed with Headsprout. I also work with my boys separately on "The Reading Lesson" because I am anxious for them to be reading better by 1st grade and I tend to go a bit overboard at times. For the Headsprout, I just signed up for the payment plan which makes it much more doable. Another thing to think about, is there is a 30 day money back guarantee or you can just sign up for the 1st 3 lessons for free to see if you like it. If I were you, I would try the 3 free lessons 1st, see how your kids like it then buy the program if you're interested keeping in mind you have 30 days to cancel. Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Heather Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 My now 7dd used Headsprout last year and it helped greatly with her reading. She did all 80 lessons and then we moved onto Explode the Code. She is finishing up book 6 now. It was well worth it for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 We're big fans of click n read.com here. It worked great as a phonics reinforcement for my son. He loves computer games so it made it easy to get him to do it, and the phonics progression is great (IMHO). I love the feedback and the systematic approach. If you use it - keep in mind it's a 3 year program (K to 2nd) so don't stress out if it moves fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda (Australia) Posted May 21, 2009 Author Share Posted May 21, 2009 Linda,My 6 year old boys have used starfall, click n' read and about 2 months ago I purchased Headsprout. They absolutely LOVE Headsprout. I honestly think it is far better than anything we've done and holds the boys interest so much better. My one twin is even begging to do it on Sundays. I am highly impressed with Headsprout. I also work with my boys separately on "The Reading Lesson" because I am anxious for them to be reading better by 1st grade and I tend to go a bit overboard at times. For the Headsprout, I just signed up for the payment plan which makes it much more doable. Another thing to think about, is there is a 30 day money back guarantee or you can just sign up for the 1st 3 lessons for free to see if you like it. If I were you, I would try the 3 free lessons 1st, see how your kids like it then buy the program if you're interested keeping in mind you have 30 days to cancel. Ann Thanks, Ann ( and all who have replied) - we've spent the day looking at the various options, and honestly, they LOVED Headsprout! The other ones we tried (Starfall, Reading Eggs, etc.) just didn't 'hit the spot' like Headsprout. (most expensive option, wouldn't yah know it :rolleyes: ) We tried out the free lessons, and they want more! Now, just have to convince hubby that I simply have far too much to cope with, and at least Headsprout would be a lot cheaper than a tutor ........ ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TundraAcademy Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 We did Headsprout when my oldest was in first grade. We started with 100 EZ Lessons and then supplemented with Headsprout. We both loved the program. He was struggling a bit with 100EZ and Headsprout helped keep him moving along. I bought it again for my next son, but he didn't use it as much because he picked up reading much faster. The graphics are awesome on it and there isn't much competition on it (which my kids just can't handle!). I think the first half of the program was the most beneficial part. My oldest never really finished the last 20 or so lessons. He was reading well by that point. I recommend it. It is much more comprehensive than Starfall. I think click n read is similar but I don't know for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JESSICAinMD Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I decided on clicknread over headsprout because of the price difference. They have a free sample lesson. The homeschool co op had a good discount. I don't know that it is still available. If not, I can email you a referral for a 15$ discount if it looks like it will be good match for you. http://www.clicknkids.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyWImom Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 We're big fans of click n read.com here. It worked great as a phonics reinforcement for my son. He loves computer games so it made it easy to get him to do it, and the phonics progression is great (IMHO). I love the feedback and the systematic approach. If you use it - keep in mind it's a 3 year program (K to 2nd) so don't stress out if it moves fast. We've done the Click N Read phonics also, and both dc love it. I've supplemented it with Explode the Code workbooks. The price is definitely right. I've always been intrigued by Headsprout though, because I think you get more for your money. The one thing I wish Click N Read had was books/or stories online that reinforced what the lessons were teaching. They do have them read sentences, but I wish it had more reading stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captivated Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 My kiddos LOVE Headsprout and are making great progress with it. Google Homeschool Buyers co-op - you can join for $5 and get group discounts on many items, including Headsprout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 I bought Headsprout for my then-6 year old daughter and she loved the first half of it. Then she totally lost interest. I think that's pretty common. When looking at reviews of the program, focus on the ones from parent's whose kids finished the program -- I was posting rave reviews when my daughter first started, now I'm sorry I spent all that money since she whizzed through the beginning and then abandoned it. I also bought Click N Read Phonics and I think it's very similar, although the graphics do not have as much variety. But by the time I got my DD to try it, she'd had enough of computer phonics programs and only did a few lessons. Homeschool Buyers Coop still has Click N Read for $29.99 (50% off) -- and that is for a lifetime license. When one child is finished, you can delete their account and set up a new one for the next child, and you can even sell or transfer the account to someone else when your family is done with it. (Headsprout is a one-time, one-child license; when your child completes the last lesson your license expires.) If you want to use Click N Read with multiple kids at one time, additional licenses are $14.95. They have a 60 day no-questions-asked refund policy, and if you get through all 100 lessons and feel like your child didn't learn to read they will also refund your money. BTW, Homeschool Buyers Coop is FREE to join (not $5): https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/index.php?option=com_epp_offer&Itemid=570 Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 My youngest did the whole Headsprout program. While she definitely liked the first half better than the second half, that was mostly because the second half required her to work harder. link to my review: http://www.thehomeschoollibrary.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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