If you are looking for a reading program (free offer)

[AAK]

This month, Funnix is offering their program for free.  Here is the link:  http://www.funnix.com/

Amy

[SundayCrepes]

Has anyone used this?

[AAK]

I would love to know that too--I downloaded it to get another tool in my box so to speak.  I have found people on other boards that have really liked it, but they were all helping struggling readers.  

Amy

[tankgirl73]

I had never heard of it but I'm going to try it (downloading right now).  Apparently it's the same guy who did 100 Easy Lessons... We got that from the library and I liked a lot of things about the methodology, but had to return it.  Couldn't keep it forever.  ;)  Doing it on the computer might be more engaging for many kids.  

[*farmergirl*]

thanks

[shaywyn]

Thank you!

[*farmergirl*]

Well I downloaded it all and checked out the first lesson. TBH I don't like it. Thanks for the chance to check it out tho- sooo glad I didn't spend the 250$ it would otherwise cost.

[AAK]

Originally Posted by *farmergirl* 

Well I downloaded it all and checked out the first lesson. TBH I don't like it. Thanks for the chance to check it out tho- sooo glad I didn't spend the 250$ it would otherwise cost.

Yeah, I am not too thrilled yet either.  I have only looked at the early lessons.  I did the assessment with my dd and we should start at 101 I guess.  So, I might look at it from that point.  Or even at the second level.  I hope that the readers are decent with the second level.  I realize it is free. . . so I didn't spend any $$$ but I had some high hopes since it has been selling at the $250 for years, and like a pp mentioned it is from the 100 easy lessons guy!

Amy

[nov05mama]

We use Headsprout and are almost done with the Early Reading portion (he's on episode 56/80) so I wanted to try to find a good 'inbetween' before moving on to Headsprout Reading Comprehension and I had heard Funnix 2 would be a good middle. 

I downloaded it yesterday and decided to just install Funnix 2 instead of all of it, and while we have only one a portion of Lesson One, I am not all that impressed. We LOVE Headsprout and this doesn't even come close to comparing. The interaction is lacking, the graphics are lacking...and honestly I would have been angry if I had spent that kind of $$ on this program. I was thinking I was just spoiled by Headsprout, but I can see from other replies that's just not the case! It is a nice tool to have, but I don't have rave reviews for it ;) 

[AAK]

I am glad to hear that you have liked headsprout though!  I have been toying with doing it.  I feel that we have come so far with reading (my dd is dyslexic) and I will keep doing what we are doing, but I want a fun tool for reinforcement etc.  I wish headsprout wasn't two separate programs though.  I feel that she would need the last bit of the first one before she moved on. But, I don't really want to buy both!

Amy

[luv-my-boys]

we use headsprout as well and LOVE it.  It has my struggling learner to read DS sounding things out and starting to print out words on his own and he's only on episode 29.  We tried the 100 easy lessons and it was just too bland for him.  He is a very visual learner adn loves the computer so headsprout really engages him and keeps his attention.  To supplement we actually do a phonics workbook from Seton (phonics 1 ) and jump around to different letters and sounds depening on what headsprout is doing.  the workbook is short enough that it dosent bore him.

I'll look into the website as we too are looking for more online reinforcement.

[EviesMom]

I too tried 100 Easy Lessons and both DD and I got tired of it fairly quickly. Also probably some dyslexia; it runs in the family, and she did really easy readers starting at age 4 but 1.5 years later hadn't progressed at all and didn't understand sounding new words out. OTOH, she tested at 94th percentile on the CAT (Kindergarten level) end of last year, so she was never too far behind, just not moving forward much.

We started Headsprout over the summer and she's on lesson 70. Reads simple chapter books now, long words, etc. Is doing invented spelling and writing more herself.

All that said, I don't think I'll try Funnix. I'm not sure if we'll start Headsprout comprehension this year or wait for next year and do more free reading time for the rest of the year, maybe pick up some spelling, which we don't really do right now. She's interested in the idea of book reports, so we might just do a book a week with a report on each, maybe alternate fiction and non.