PledgeCents Preferred Partner Highlight: StarrMatica
The Vision
"I always knew I wanted to be an elementary teacher. I idolized my creative fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Burnett, who inspired my love of writing with outdoor journeys to sit under trees and journal. I was intrigued by my sixth grade teacher, Mr. Campbell, who designed fantastic labs for us to experiment using the scientific process. I loved school buildings with colorful bulletin boards, clanging bells, squeaking shoes in the gym, and loud conversations in the cafeteria. So it was no surprise when so many of my peers were struggling to decide their future careers, I declared elementary education as my major and never looked back.
I taught fourth grade for five years, first at Briggs Elementary in Maquoketa, Iowa, and then at Ekstrand Elementary in DeWitt, Iowa. I loved finding creative ways to help students learn, even going so far as to turn my classroom into a rainforest! I had fun using technology in my lessons, which also came as no surprise. My mom was a business education teacher, so I grew up learning to type with Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing on the first IBM computers. (And playing Snake Byte when my lesson was finished!)
My first year of teaching, I won Iowa’s Spotlight on Education Technology Award for my use of technology in the classroom. So you can imagine how excited I was when at Ekstrand, I was one of the first teachers to receive a projector. I saw it as a window to the world and an exciting new possibility for engaging my students. But my excitement quickly turned to disappointment, and my disappointment to frustration, and my frustration to dread.
I searched the internet hours at a time for quality interactive content to visually explore math concepts and apply reading comprehension skills. I should have been developing engaging lessons using interactive content during all those hours, not simply searching to find it.
Much of my school’s software collection was out of date and what did work only covered a small portion of my curriculum. I investigated new software, but it was sold in pieces and parts, and the comprehensive programs were ridiculously expensive. I was tired of searching and angered by the lack of a solution.
The Product
What I really wanted was a library of digital content that covered my entire curriculum and allowed me to select the resources that were best for my lessons and my students. That library simply didn’t exist. So in 2005, I decided to create it myself so other teachers wouldn’t experience the same frustrations I had.
From its classroom roots, StarrMatica has grown to be an award-winning library of online digital content for interactive whiteboards, flat panels, tablets, response systems, projectors, and computers. Teachers and students benefit from 5,500 K-6 reading and math simulations, animations, activities, games and assessments searchable by grade, topic, state standard, Common Core Curriculum, Next Generation Science Standards, and textbook curriculums.
Classroom educators design and review our research-based content, making StarrMatica like a friendly colleague with digital content expertise, or as I like to say, “Your Digital Content Teaching Partner.” Just as I had envisioned, educators who partner with StarrMatica quickly locate targeted content for specific lessons and for individual students, so they can spend their valuable time planning effective lessons that leverage technology so every student can shine.
My team and I are continuously adding new content from the web to our library and developing our own content additions to meet the needs of our members. One of the unique things about StarrMatica is that teachers can request content additions and see them appear in the library the next month. Interactive content is my passion, and it is always a thrill when we find or create new content for the library because I know how helpful it is going to be in so many classrooms.
StarrMatica grows and evolves every month. It is fun to look back several years and think about all of the changes that have been made, like adding digital backpacks and placing user controls on our animations, to make our library even more useful for teachers. And it is also exciting to think ahead to our future plans to make all content more easily accessible on all devices and to help teachers to change their instruction meet the Next Generation Science Standards.
My greatest joy is visiting classrooms that are using StarrMatica and hearing from teachers and students how much it has helped them. I miss having my own class of unique students every year; however, it makes me happy to know that my creation is impacting more lives than I could have within the walls of my classroom."
-Emily Starr, President/CEO, Former Fourth Grade Teacher
Testimonials
We interviewed Jennifer Miller, a First Grade Teacher at Eagle Heights Elementary in Clinton, Iowa about her experience with StarrMatica.
How did you learn about StarrMatica?
"As a long-term substitute I was able to attend a training offered in the Clinton District about 6 years ago. Ever since the training I was hooked. When I taught 4th grade for a year, I used the program extensively to differentiate instruction. As I moved into teaching 1st grade it was a necessity to bring StarrMatica with me."
How do you use StarrMatica in your classroom? What are the benefits?
"StarrMatica is used in whole class and small groups currently. I will be using it to differentiate instruction for individual students in the near future. StarrMatica is generally used to hook the students into a lesson, as an introduction. Then I move into students using the program to play some of the many games and practices offered. In addition, I have utilized many of the virtual manipulatives the program provides as well. StarrMatica also has great Webinars and trainings. I have participated in quite a few of these as well.
We don’t have student textbooks-- we follow the Common Core Standards. Unfortunately it is up to us to find many of our own resources. Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers are great, but it takes time to find appropriate resources that fit the standards in addition to usually costing an additional fee or requiring prep work. StarrMatica takes the time issue off the table. It is incredibly user friendly, even for teachers that don’t feel like they do well with technology integration. On average, I feel that by using StarrMatica I cut my planning time down to almost half. StarrMatica provides my focus lesson and opportunities for small group, whole class, or individual work.
StarrMatica allows me to not need a textbook or worksheets for students to practice skills and show proficiency at mastery of these skills. I appreciate the ability to look at the content available in other grade levels. This allows me to go back to skills from the previous year or advance to another grade level to meet student needs. In addition, I appreciate knowing that if I have a concern, question, or comment regarding anything with StarrMatica content I can send an email and get a response quickly."
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experiences with StarrMatica?
"StarrMatica content is AD free! It is evident that content is gone through on a regular basis to ensure content meets Common Core Standards and doesn’t have pop-up ads that are sometimes not appropriate for students or are distracting."
What would you say to another teacher who may be hesitant about trying a new #edtech product in their classroom?
"Being uncomfortable and nervous about trying a new product is ok, but you won’t get out of that discomfort if you don’t push forward and try something new. With the technology of today educators need to embrace the new and not hesitate to ask for help. Many companies, like StarrMatica, will provide free training to educators on their products. There may even be experts within your building or someone that is willing to jump in and try a product with you. Then there are the students-- no matter their age they can probably help you as well as you work through using a new product. It is a learning experience for students to see you try something new."
