Lesson Tips

	Versatile Uses

Lessons can be implemented as a whole lesson or divided into parts to support individual skill instruction. They can assist as a unit introduction, an online unit, a review, an assessment tool, remediation, enrichment, extension, and a supplemental resource. Since StarrMatica can be accessed at home, lessons can be assigned as homework or for extra student practice.

Whole-Class Uses

     StarrMatica can be used on a daily basis as a way to integrate technology. Lessons work well as an exciting group activity when used with an LCD projector or interactive whiteboard in a whole-class setting. Instructional slides can be used as visual explanations and examples, and multiple students can interact with a wireless mouse. The practice section provides ready examples in place of overhead transparencies or time spent writing on the board. All students can be involved by writing answers on individual white boards, and a student can be chosen to select the correct answer with a wireless mouse.

Computer Lab

     StarrMatica can be used in a lab with a whole class working on individual computers, in partners, or in small groups. Teachers have found inexpensive headphone splitters useful when students are paired in computer labs. Some schools have opened their computer labs to families one night a week so they can learn with StarrMatica.

Pre-Test

     Teachers have used StarrMatica’s assessment as a pre-test to assess prior knowledge, to assess a student’s level of comprehension, and to plan data-based instruction. The data is used to plan instruction for the entire class, to group students for instruction, and to recommend slides that would assist individual students.

Build Background Knowledge

     Teachers have used StarrMatica to build background knowledge before using traditional teaching methods.

Integrate Lessons

     Lessons have worked well for teachers as a review at the beginning or end of class.Teachers use our practice section as part of their morning routine or to grab their students’ attention after lunch. Teachers have used StarrMatica on an LCD projector as a transition tool to re-focus students’ attention quickly.

Remediation and Enrichment

     In today’s classroom of diverse learners, students who learn concepts quickly can work independently on the challenging enrichment section to prevent boredom while other students receive more direct instruction with the basic concept. Use our comprehensive resources page to direct students needing remediation to additional practice opportunities. Engage “early finishers” or students needing additional enrichment with more difficult sites. Our short descriptions before each link help you to quickly find an appropriate resource for each student.

Voiceover Assistance

     Reading literature is written at third- through sixth-grade levels, allowing you to assist some students by turning on the voiceovers and challenge others by turning them off.

Behavior Management Plans

     StarrMatica has been used for motivation as part of behavior management plans. Students work toward the goal of having fun with a StarrMatica lesson of their choice.

Involve Parents

     StarrMatica is an amazing resource for parents looking to assist their children. Parents and children can work on lessons together at home, thus increasing parental involvement and extending learning time. Through our lessons, parents learn concepts with which they may be unfamiliar and better understand how a concept should be explained to their children.

Conferences

     Share StarrMatica with parents at conferences or through notes sent home. Explain which skills children need to work on, then give parents the tools to help by suggesting StarrMatica slides that specifically address the identified deficiencies.

Weekly Bulletin

     Send a short note home with your students every Friday sharing the skills on which you will focus for the following week. Include StarrMatica slides students can review at home to support your instruction.

Technology Night

     Showcase StarrMatica at a technology night to get parents and students excited about learning.

Link to StarrMatica

     Link StarrMatica to your school’s website and your classroom pages to provide easy access for families. Bookmark StarrMatica on classroom computers so students may work on skills during study times. Link StarrMatica to popular Webquests.

Summer School, Before School and After School Programs

     StarrMatica is an entertaining, innovative tutor for use with summer school, before school, and after school programs.

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