babygemma Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Hi, I've read that some of you are using Starfall for phonics/reading. I am considering using this for my 4.5 yo ds and am curious how you use the program, how much time is spent viewing it on the screen since I'd like to limit it, do you use it daily, do you print the worksheets and is it successful? Thanks so much. I appreciate your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Three Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 My DD does Starfall for fun. She goes on once or maybe twice a week, for about 20 minutes after she does her regular phonics work (ETC, which she does almost daily, her choice). She has no screen time in the morning, other than the occasional Starfall. On Starfall, I'll direct her to the skills she's been working on with me, but she gets to choose where she goes and what she does, often working on something else. She is allowed to print off one worksheet, story, calendar, etc. DD practices reading aloud in the afternoon (PP, Dick and Jane, Bob books, etc), so it doesn't impact that at all. Starfall is a nice addition as a special treat, with good learning opportunities -- including mouse control -- but that's it for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2att Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Starfall is a nice addition as a special treat, with good learning opportunities -- including mouse control -- but that's it for us. That's us, too--just for fun, when the mood strikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jplain Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Yep, just for fun here too. But DD did learn her short vowel sounds really well by listening to the short vowel songs. That was kind of nice, because sometimes I have to stop and search my brain to make sure I'm saying the correct vowel sound when I'm reading the syllables and nonsense words in Phonics Pathways. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda_Jo Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 It is not our primary phonics program either. We use ETC doing one letter a week. A few times each week dd gets about 20 minutes on Starfall.com. She does the letter of the week twice, and then she can choose any letter she wants for the rest of the time. Older dd is reading on her own now, so she also gets about 20 minutes to click through the books- if one reinforces a concept we just learned I'll have her do that book first- otherwise she can choose what to play/read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakblossoms Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 We use it for fun. My second son had a difficult time reading and starfall gave him some fun reading practice. Our youngest liked it so much, he started asking to play the apple game (that's what he calls it). Our youngest has been much more receptive to reading lessons than the other two. I don't know if it's the fun of Starfall or just being the youngest. But, my life will be so much easier if I can have him reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Just for fun, maybe once or twice a week, 20 or 30 minutes max. It is not my primary phonics resource. I didn't even realize that there were printables on that site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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