Starfall ABCs

How I used it: I began using Starfall to help my students identify letters and letter sounds. My students use Starfall as an option for computer center. I also use the website as a whole class incentive. I project the program on my Promethean board and students are able to come up and use the touch pen to choose their favorite letters to explore. I also use Starfall as a reinforcement tool for parents to support their children's development at home. Students had no real trouble accessing and navigating the site. The students seem to really enjoy exploring the other games on the website. They especially loved creating and printing jack-o-lanterns from the Pick a Pumpkin game. As the teacher, I loved how the students were asked after each activity how they felt about the game they just completed as this helps them become reflective thinkers. My opinion: Starfall is a fun and easy way for students to have exposure to letters and letter sounds. Thanks to Starfall my students don't even realize that they are learning, they are having too much fun. Students are able to navigate the site with little to no adult assistance. I did find that students got frustrated when they would click on the options on the right side of the page. The options on the right lead to ways to pay for activities beyond the main page. Starfall's website would be more kid friendly if they only displayed options/games that are free on the main page. This would prevent students from clicking on games they can't access for free. All in all, I would recommend Starfall for students ages 2-6 as I feel that they would find the site fun, interactive and educational.