http://www.starfall.com/n/level-a/index/play.htm?f

I think this website is interesting.  If your kids are learning to read, this website is fun.  Let me know what you think.

Thank you,
Mary Ann
mom to Hettar 3 and half and Islena 27 mos.

It's a cool site if you plan on using a phonics approach.  If you haven't thought about it before you should look into a whole language approach in order to compare. When I was teaching I saw a lot of students have a much better success rate (and interest level) with whole language.  That being said, phonics was very successful with most average students.  It was the students at the top and bottom of the learning curve that I dealt with the most ,because I began my teaching career as the reading tutor (and art teacher and grader for older grades and...and...and...)  

I know its a big debate in the education community, and I will probably use a combination of the two.

Mary

My son learned to read through whole language (I guess, since he taught himself and I didn't expose him to phonics beyond telling him what sounds the letters made). Some people say that these kids have more trouble with spelling later, but that hasn't been the case with him -- I think he spells better than my husband already!

What a cool site.  My twins were having a blast going through the stories.  Thanks for sharing.

Can someone tell me more about the "whole language" approach?  I *think* that must be how I learned to read myself-Elizabeth, I think I was like your son, I just somehow taught myself before anyone realized it!  I think it started with memorizing stories as they were read to me.  So now that my son is showing real interest in spelling words and recognizing words, I am wondering how to approach the whole reading thing!  

Thanks in advance,

Alexis

Oops, forgot to say thanks for the refernce to the site, too!  I am going to trry whatever my son has fun with for a while, and he seems to like it so far.

Alexis

You are welcome.  It feels good to share.

Elizabeth, I was really bothered about phonics.  I don't think we learned that in the Philippines.  I was telling my husband about it, that people make a big deal here aboout phonics.  When my husband first met me, he was so impressed of my spelling.  He would ask me a word, and voila! the answer is always right.  Until now, he's still impress with my spelling LOL.  If you encounter lots of Filipino almost all of them are really good in spelling

That's why, sometimes I am so concerned of how I'm gonna teach my kids.  I didn't even go to pre-school when my peers did and I was way ahead of them in reading.  Anyway, I might do the same thing with my kids.

Mary Ann
mom to Hettar 3 and a half and Islena 27 mos.

Alexis, I think that must be how I learned to spell.  I read and would always remember what the word spells because it is embedded in my memory.

Mary Ann
mom to Hettar 3 and a half and Islena 27 mos.

I on the other hand was taught word recognition in preschool and had such a difficulty with reading and school until I had a teacher that took the time to sit and work with me in phonics.  After that I went from a struggling student to an A / B student.

Everyone has to find how their child learns best.  We will probably try phonics first since it is what worked for me and has worked for my step daughter.

Hi All,

   Thanks to all your comments and inputs.  I realized that a person learns differently depending on how they learns best.  Just like my husband who doesn't like audio books.  He said he had a hard time comprehending and focus his attention to it.  He liked to learn in print.

Thanks,
Mary Ann
Mom to Hettar almost 4 and Islena 27 mos.