Samantha+Osenbaugh



I Love Math 1. Explain the purpose of the software program. What are the appropriate grade levels and subject areas for this software? This is math learning software. It is for grades 2nd to 5th.  The software gives students a personal learning experience to their needs. It gets students ready for problems in the real world and helps develop critical thinking problems. 2. List and explain what software categories this software program falls into. The software categories include: drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional game, or problem solving. This is problem solving software specifically for math skills. It gives students the tools and tips to solve math problems. It gives real world problems so they use their newly learned skills outside of the classroom. 3. Describe a scenario where you would be able to integrate the use of this software program into your curriculum. What grade level? What subject area? How would the software integrate into the other classroom activities? Many times in a classroom you have a student who may not be learning as quickly as other students. Some students learn in a different way. With an interactive game that teaches them about math one may catch that student’s attention. 4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this program? One of the strengths this software has is that directly focuses on math. It gives real life situations and even personalizes the learning experience for the learner.

5. What is the cost of this program? Where can it be purchased? From PlanetCDrom.com this product can be purchased for just the cost of shipping and handling (S/H is $6.49). Provide a web link to a manufacturer or retailer? What are the system requirements of the software? [] "Systems: Windows 98/ME, 2000/NT, XP " " Windows: 33MHz or faster processor; 8 MB RAM; 9 MB free hard disk space; 2X CD-ROM drive; 640 x 480 display, 256 colors; 8-bit sound card; Speakers or headphones. " "Macintosh: OS 7.0-9.2, OS X Classic; 25 MHz or faster; 8 MB RAM; 20 MB free hard disk space; 2X CD-ROM drive; 640 x 480 display, 256 colors; 8-bit audio; Speakers or headphones. "

Samantha, I really like how you found software that is for problem solving. A lot of students have a problem figuring out word problems. Also I think that the game component is a great way to make math exciting. I can't wait for you other reviews. - Jackie Parry

**Arthur's 1st Grade** 1. Explain the purpose of the software program. What are the appropriate grade levels and subject areas for this software? This is learning software for 1st grade level learners.  The software gives students a learning experience in many different areas. 2. List and explain what software categories this software program falls into. The software categories include: drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional game, or problem solving. This is critical thinking software specifically for skills used in the 1st grade. It has many different learning activities. Along with these learning activities is extra crafts and games included on the software. 3. Describe a scenario where you would be able to integrate the use of this software program into your curriculum. What grade level? What subject area? How would the software integrate into the other classroom activities? This is software specifically for 1st grade skills. The software can be used in many different areas including; reading, spelling, vocabulary, sentence construction, math, matching, music, story writing, crafts, categorization, and shapes. A good time to use this is to get ideas for arts and crafts to do with the students. It can also be used to teach a student that needs a program to help keep their attention with subjects that most students do not like for instance reading, spelling, and vocabulary. 4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this program? One of the strengths this software has is that directly focuses on learning activities made for 1st grade students. This software based on the cartoon TV show and book of “Arthur.” This makes the learning experience for the students more fun. A weakness is that it can only be used for 1st grade level learning.

5. What is the cost of this program? Where can it be purchased? On this website the software costs $6.99 with $6:49 shipping and handling. The website it can be bought at is http://www.planetcdrom.com/discount-software/Arthurs-1st-Grade/ Systems: Windows 98/ME, 2000, XP, Vista and MAC Windows -166 MHz or faster and 32 MB RAM, 40 MB free hard disk space, 640x480 monitor, 256 colors, Windows-compatible sound card & speakers, 8X CD-ROM drive, and Color printer recommended System Requirements for Macintosh- Mac OS 8.6-9.2, OS X, 180 MHz PowerPC® or faster, 32 MB RAM, 40 MB free hard disk space, 640x480 monitor, 256 colors, and 8X CD-ROM drive.

__**Kid Science: Gross & Icky Science** 1. Explain the purpose of the software program. What are the appropriate grade levels and subject areas for this software? This is science learning software. It is for ages 8 to 12.  The software gives science activities that can be done at home. This program gets students learning at home not just at school. These are science activities that catch a young learner’s attention. 2. List and explain what software categories this software program falls into. The software categories include: drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional game, or problem solving. This is critical thinking, problem solving, and tutorial software. It teaches students about food, insects, plants, and so much more. It gives activities that students can do in the classroom or try at home. 3. Describe a scenario where you would be able to integrate the use of this software program into your curriculum. What grade level? What subject area? How would the software integrate into the other classroom activities? This is software could be used to prefect many different grade levels learning about science. A good time to use this software is to get ideas for science projects in the classroom. It can also be used to catch the students’ attention in class by doing projects with things they know like farting, feet, and snot. The students can also do these projects at home. 4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this program? One of the strengths this software has is that directly focuses on learning activities made for science to really catch a student’s attention. This makes the learning experience for the students more fun. One weakness is that the software is meant for the students to use at home not always in the classroom. 5. What is the cost of this program? Where can it be purchased? This software is free and the website just charges $6.49 in shipping and handling. [] Systems: Windows 98, XP, Vista and MAC Windows - Pentium I processor or faster, 64 MB RAM (96 MB recommended), 640x480 monitor, 16-bit color, sound Blaster-compatible sound card & speakers, 16X CD-ROM drive (24X recommended) Macintosh - Mac OS 8.1-9.2, OS X Classic, Power Mac G3, iMac 233 MHz or greater, 64 MB RAM (96 MB recommended), 640x480 monitor, 16-bit color, and 16X CD-ROM drive (24X recommended) __ _

**Arthur's Thinking Games** <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; msobidifontfamily: Arial; msobidifontsize: 9.5pt;">1. Explain the purpose of the software program. What are the appropriate grade levels and subject areas for this software? This is learning software for ages 3 to 7. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; msobidifontfamily: Arial; msobidifontsize: 10.0pt;"> The software gives students a learning experience in many different areas. It has 6 different activities which each have 5 different levels of difficulty. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; msobidifontfamily: Arial; msobidifontsize: 9.5pt;">2. List and explain what software categories this software program falls into. The software categories include: drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional game, or problem solving. This is critical thinking and problem solving software. It has many different learning activities. Along with this it has art and music activities. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; msobidifontfamily: Arial; msobidifontsize: 9.5pt;">3. Describe a scenario where you would be able to integrate the use of this software program into your curriculum. What grade level? What subject area? How would the software integrate into the other classroom activities? This is software specifically younger grade level skills. The software can be used in many different subject areas like science, history, and geography. This software can be used to entertain a student while involving learning. It would be a great program to have when it is a rainy day and recess cannot be held outside. 4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this program? One of the strengths this software has is that it focuses on learning activities to keep the students attention. This makes the learning experience for the students more fun. A weakness is that it only comes with 6 different activities. 5. What is the cost of this program? Where can it be purchased? <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; msobidifontfamily: Arial; msobidifontsize: 9.5pt;">On this website the software costs $6.99 with $6:49 shipping and handling. [] Systems: Windows 98/NT, XP, Vista Windows: 486/66Mhz Processor or Faster, 8MB RAM, 20MB Free Hard Disk Space, 640x480 Monitor, 256 Colors, Windows Compatible Sound Card and Speakers, 2X CD-ROM Drive. _

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; msobidifontfamily: Arial; msobidifontsize: 9.5pt;">1. Explain the purpose of the software program. What are the appropriate grade levels and subject areas for this software? This is brain building software. It is for ages 5 to 9. The software is based of the “I Spy” books that most children know of. It is full of challenges, explorations, skill builders, and craft projects. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; msobidifontfamily: Arial; msobidifontsize: 9.5pt;">2. List and explain what software categories this software program falls into. The software categories include: drill and practice, tutorial, simulation, instructional game, or problem solving. This is critical thinking and problem solving software. This takes you through solving riddles and finding objects. It has 9 different areas full of puzzles, riddles, hidden objects, and games. 3. Describe a scenario where you would be able to integrate the use of this software program into your curriculum. What grade level? What subject area? How would the software integrate into the other classroom activities? This is software could be used to prefect many different grade levels. It has different areas that students could focus on. This software could coincide with the book while teaching this in a classroom. The software will make the books come to life for the students. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt; msobidifontfamily: Arial; msobidifontsize: 9.5pt; msospacerun: yes;"> 4. What are the strengths and weaknesses of this program? One of the strengths this software is that it develops visual dynamic skills. It can be used to focus on many different areas of an elementary student learner’s mind. 5. What is the cost of this program? Where can it be purchased? This software is free and the website just charges $6.49 in shipping and handling. http://www.planetcdrom.com/discount-software/I-Spy-School-Days/ Systems: Windows 98/ME, 2000, XP, Vista and MAC Windows - Pentium 90 MHz or faster processor, 16 MB RAM, 10 MB free hard disk space, 640x480 monitor, 256 colors, Windows-compatible sound card & speakers, 4 X CD-ROM drives, Printer and microphone optional Macintosh - PowerPC 90 MHz or faster processor, Mac OS 7.5-9.2, OS X Classic mode, 16 MB RAM, 10 MB free hard disk space, 640x480 monitor, 256 colors, 4 X CD-ROM drives, Printer and microphone optional
 * I Spy School Days **

Samantha, These are all excellent programs. I can tell you are planning on teaching at the elementary level just by the type of software you found. I also think you are correct in saying that some children learn at a slower pace than other students and that these types of software programs will help a slower learner learn effectively. I believe since we as teachers are not always able to give one on one attention to certain students who really need it, these programs will help them get that one on one instruction that they need. Good job! Karin Pruett