Learn to Read with Starfall
Free Online Reading Program Uses Phonics Games, Books, and Videos
Beginning readers need a lot of reading practice, and daily work with phonics books is a good strategy to achieve fluency. Many homeschooling kids enjoy using Starfall, a free online reading program. Starfall’s interactive graphics are bright and engaging, and children enjoy reading the different levels of phonics books.
Learn the Alphabet in Level One
Kids who are just learning to read usually begin by memorizing the names of the letters and their sounds. Starfall’s ABCs, or Level One, teaches these foundational skills with 26 alphabet blocks, one block for each letter. When a child selects a block, it opens up an interactive reader with an audio clip of the letter sound and sample words beginning with the letter. The child simply clicks on an arrow to turn the page. The letter “A” reader, for example, pictures ants, apples, and an alligator.
Learn to Read with Easy Readers in Level Two
Once a child is familiar with the alphabet, he progresses to the beginning phonics books in Level Two. Starfall’s Learn to Read section starts off with short vowel sounds and words. As young readers gain proficiency, they acquire sequential reading skills by learning silent-e words, long vowels, two vowel combinations, sight words, and more.
There are three areas to explore in the Learn to Read section. The Play area features Make-a-Word, an interactive game for playful word creation. The Book area includes 15 short stories, each featuring a phonics sound or combination. The Skills area highlights interesting, short movies about words and sounds.
Expand Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary in Level Three
Starfall’s It’s Fun to Read section, or Level Three, encourages young readers to improve their reading comprehension and vocabulary through more interactive books. In All About Me, a child creates a custom book about himself or herself. Art Gallery showcases stories about master artists, and the Poetry area spotlights famous poets. In addition, It’s Fun to Read includes books about music, magic, tongue twisters, and riddles.
Transition From Learning to Read to Reading to Learn in Level Four
The I’m Reading section advances an emerging reader to the next stage of fluency. The bookshelf features six vocabulary-controlled categories: Three Little Plays, Fiction and Nonfiction Books, Comics, Folk Tales, Greek Myths, and Chinese Fables. Level Four is designed to develop a student from learning to read to reading to learn. All told, there are dozens of colorful and fun books in the I'm Reading section to hold the attention of young readers.
Free Printables and Worksheets for Starfall's Reading Program
Starfall also offers free printables and worksheets to complement its reading program. Writing journals, make-your-own books, handwriting worksheets, and puzzles are all available in the Download Center with the click of a mouse.
Starfall is a treasure trove of free resources for young students learning to read. Its popular reading program is filled with enough fun phonics games, easy readers, and videos to keep a child reading and giggling for many weeks.
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