Star Words on www.bbc.co.uk
'An alien spaceship is stealing letters. Get them back by clicking on the picture that starts with the stolen letter.'

Once upon a time, we learned to read using Dick & Jane or Janet & John books. Now there are sites all over the internet where children (and adults) can practice reading, writing and spelling using stories and games – here’s ten examples to try out. By Suzanne Elvidge

All games are free downloads or free to view online, and need the minimum of equipment. Some games require your browser to have a 'plug in' for Shockwave, Flash or Java.

To play a game, simply click on its name. If you are a parent, we advise you to try the game and the site it's on first before letting your kids play them, to make sure you're happy. Don't forget, you can also find great games for kids at Christian Aid's Global Gang website

When downloading games from the Internet, don't forget to keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware software up to date.

Monster Shopping Trip
Listen to the story, and if you click on the ‘read’ button, read along as well. There are lots of other stories on the site. (Warning – doesn’t seem to work in Firefox).

Star Words
It is all a bit loud! Match the letters to the shape (if you change to ‘scatter’ in the control panel, the words will break up first and you have to click on the letters in the right order). There are more games on the BBC Schools website.

Look, Cover, Write, Check
Click on the lists of words on the left hand side, then click ‘start’. A word will appear, and then be covered up. Type the word in the box, then click ‘check’ if you are not sure, or the right arrow to go on to the next word. If you get it wrong, you’ll see the word again so you can have another go.

The Word Wheels
Another noisy one. Look at the picture in the bottom left hand corner – what word is it? Find the first letter of the word in the middle window using the blue start/stop button on the left-hand wheel, and then get the rest of the word using the green start/stop button on the right-hand wheel. Click the red ‘Make word’ button, then check it using the yellow button.

Phonic Fighter
An alien spaceship is stealing letters. Get them back by clicking on the picture that starts with the stolen letter – if you click the right one, you will shoot the alien and get a point. If you click the wrong one, the alien will shoot you. Click on the orange arrow to go to the next letter. And more noise!

Seaside Circle Game
Click on a vowel sound. You will hear a word to spell – drag the right flags onto the sandcastles and click the tick to check. If you are right, you can click the red button to go on to the next word.

Roy – Tale of a Singing Zebra
Tom’s the Zebra is getting ready for bed. Help him to get all the things he needs by matching words to colours. If you get it wrong you can click the flower to try again. The website has lots more reading and spelling games.

The Description Detective
Read the description carefully, and find the person in the playground, the airport, the restaurant or the park

Myth Brainstorming Machine
You’ve read all the stories you’ve found and have decided you want to write your own? The Myth Brainstorming Machine will help you get some ideas. Click ‘Draw’ to add characters and settings, and use the ‘Effect’ button to change the mood.

Then go to the ‘Idea Outline’ window, which will give you some words top start off your writing. And if this all seems like too much hard work, write a poem about a monster instead.

Who Killed Angela Spelling
Learn how to scan-read and play the game to practice your skills (there’s a section on skimming too).

• Other games

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