“Mom, I want to do big kid school.” I have heard this from Chubbles more often
than I care to admit. Then something
came in the mail that changed her tune.
Ooka Island came into our house and I hardly ever hear Chubbles ask to
do school. Now I hear joyful glees as
she “works” on her school but she thinks she is just playing.
Ooka Island is a computer-based reading game for ages 3-7
which teaches phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. Ooka Island was created by Dr. Kay MacPhee using
the Eye/Ear Method in an adaptive learn-to-read technology. But wait, this program is not all
online. Dr. MacPhee has also created
downloadable workbooks that coordinate with the online books as well as a
sing-along songs app for the iPhone and iPad with songs from Ooka Island. Parents and educators also have access to downloadable
motivational tools, online progress reports as well as the ability to purchase any
of the 85 books (not e-books) that match the ones in the game.
Ooka Island can be purchased in three different editions:
home, school and homeschool. Pricing is
different for each but for the homeschool edition I received, the subscription
cost is $12.95/month or $124.95/year for one child. If you have multiple children using the
program at the same time, then the cost is $19.95/month or $149.95/year. If you purchase before June 1st,
2013, you can request a code for 30% off the purchase price.
We received our installation software on a USB drive but it
also comes on a cd or as a download for PC or MAC. The install took about 10 minutes and once I
entered our log-on information, Chubbles was able to play right away. She is having a great time playing the games
and following along reading the books with the built-in e-reader. Within the first hour of play, she had
completed two books and felt so proud of herself. The program immediately sent me an email with
a report of her progress. I also went
online to check her scores for each game or activity.
The program saves Chubbles’ progress so the next time she
logs-in, she will start right where she left off. It takes approximately twenty minutes of
guided learning time to “find” an ebook.
Then it is about ten minutes of following along with the e-reader before
Chubbles get to spend time in free play.
Each boy and girl will have to follow the Learning Flow so no one can go
straight to free play time in the program, they earn it. I love that!
Chubbles really feels independent but it has been great to
see each of the older ones spend time sitting next to her offering support
while she plays. I think I have spotted
Little Red and Dude wanting to play too which couldn’t hurt to review and
improve their reading skills. It might
be something to consider for me to purchase the group subscription.
Pros: This program was easy to set-up and Chubbles was able to
start right away. The games and
activities do not move too fast and are appropriate for the level of reading as
boys and girls progress. I love the options
for reinforcements away from the computer as I am one who is concerned that
children spend too much time with technology and not enough time with hands-on
learning and playing. I also think the
price is inexpensive to other programs I have researched.
Cons: As with many homeschool families, the cost could be a
factor. Also, as I did research as I do
with any curriculum or program I am considering for our homeschool, I found that
Ooka Island is aligned with Common Core Standards which would benefit school
programs required to follow the standards.
You can find out so much more and order your own copy at
Ooka Island.
This review is part of Mosaic Reviews: A medley of review
perspectives. To see other perspectives,
please visit here after May 13th.
The next review will be the Waterproof Bible.
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