Oxford Literacy Web Big ABC CD-ROM

KS1 (Years 1 - 2)

English

This product is distributed by Oxford University Press (Tel: 01865 556767)

I very much liked this program. It is well presented and runs well. The material is thoughtfully devised and highly suited to its purpose. The fact that it links in with the Literacy Web material is also useful and makes it good to use in the classroom setting, where well linked activities can then be organised. I see it as a useful tool for teaching and reinforcing the learning of initial sounds.

The Big ABC CD-ROM is a thorough and useful tool for supporting the teaching and learning of rhyme awareness, initial sound awareness and alphabet knowledge. It could be used from the start of the Reception year and by older children with Special Educational Needs. It is very easy for children to use independently. They enjoy the songs, pictures and interactive games and love the friendly spider that provides instructions and encouragement throughout. It can be used for whole class teaching, as well as by individuals and small groups. Teachers can customise it to suit individual, or current class needs and a record is kept of each user's progress. Children would learn a lot from regular targeted hands-on sessions with Big ABC and enjoy themselves while doing so.

I used the program to support the learning of initial sounds and names with a Year 2 child who had no knowledge of them when he came into school. It was used on an individual basis with him as part of a very concentrated structured program to promote learning to read as quickly as possible. It was configured to be in line with the focus letters of each day.

I used this CD-ROM with a class of 21 Reception children on one of the three classroom computers. I first sat all the children in front of the computer and showed them how to navigate their way around the program and play the different games. I then used it with pairs of children during Literacy Hour group work sessions and sometimes had it available as a choice during activity sessions. All the children had at least one turn with the software and needed only very occasional adult support. It was also a valuable resource for a child with a Statement of Special Educational Needs who could use it with her support assistant, with the program customised to focus on the targets in her Individual Education Plan.