Karin+Pruett

1.  The purpose of this software is to aide children in the concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and beginning geometry. The appropriate grade levels are 2nd – 4th and the subject area is Math. 2.  This software falls under the instructional game category because it is having children work through Math lessons, puzzles and problems. 3.  A scenario I would use in the classroom would be to have students work with the software to have an added learning base for when actual Direct Instruction would be taught. The students could use it to advance further or to have a refresher of what was taught. Because this is a Math program it would be difficult to integrate it into other areas of teaching. 4.  The strengths of the program are they are helping children gain the knowledge they need to do well in Math. It covers a wide range of material, not just one area. The only weakness I could see would be those students who do not learn well without Direct Instruction. However, because this would not replace Direct Instruction I believe students would excel with this program. 5.  The cost of this software is: Math Blaster Ages 7-9 (5-User Lab Pack) $125.00, Fully Installable License (6-249) $20, Fully Installable License (250-1000) $18. It can be purchased from [] [] System Requirements are: Windows® 2000/XP Pentium® II 266MHz (Pentium® II 300MHz or faster for XP) 64 MB RAM (128 MB RAM for XP) 12x CD-ROM drive 16-Bit color Windows compatible sound card
 * Math Blaster **

1.  The purpose of this software is to help students understand sentence structure, use compound words and contractions. Be able to identify syllables, prefixes, and suffixes. The use of proper punctuation, capitalization and much more pertaining to reading. The grade levels covered by this software are 1st – 3rd and the subject area is Reading. 2.  This software falls under the categories, instructional and drill and practice because the students all start on a low level of learning and as they progress they are challenged more. There are also read along books for the students to read and explore. 3.  A good scenario would be to have students, during independent work time, go to the computer and work on their lessons. Maybe having 10 to 15 minutes per student at a time working on their lessons, depending on the amount of computers available. This software can be used for reading and writing skills which is a huge part of what kids are expected to learn in the Elementary level. 4.  The strengths of this software would be that it starts students off on a low level so that different types of learners can learn at their own pace. Lower level learners are not forced to advance until they are ready and higher level learners can move quickly through the program. The only weakness I would find would be the higher level learns getting through the program to quickly and getting bored or needing further program software. 5.  The cost of the program is: Reading Blaster Ages 6 -8 (Lab Pack 5) $125. It can be purchased from: [] [] The system requirements are: Windows® 98/ME/2000/XP Pentium® II 266MHz (Pentium® II 300MHz or faster for XP) B RAM (128 MB RAM for XP) 12x CD-ROM drive 16-Bit color Windows compatible sound card
 * Reading Blaster **

1.  The purpose of this software is to give end of the year 3rd graders or beginning 4th grades a jumpstart on their learning. It helps students in math, reading, geography, science and other areas. 2.  I think this software program falls into instructional and drill and practice. It is first teaching the students about the certain areas of learning and then the students work through different areas to learn. 3.  A good scenario would be to have students towards the end of 3rd grade start on this software to get that needed jumpstart into 4th grade. Another good thing would be to have new 4th graders, especially the lower learners, use this software for the first couple weeks or months of school to get an idea of what they need to learn for 4th grade. Since this program is so diverse it can be used for multiple subject areas. 4.  The strengths would be that this program can help prepare new 4th graders or just completing 3rd graders in what can be expected from them at the 4th grade level. The down side would be having enough time for students to actually use the programs and not letting the program take away from Direct Instruction. 5.  The cost of this program is: $60 for personal use, or $125 for a 5 user lab pack. It can be purchased from: [] [|http://www.ccvsoftware.com/item/Knowledge+Adventure/JumpStart+Advanced+Series] System Requirements are: Windows® 98/ME/2000/XP Math & Science Challenge 2000/XP Pentium® II 266 MHz (Pentium® II 300 MHz or faster for XP) 64 MB RAM (128 MB RAM for XP) 12x CD-ROM drive 16-bit color Windows®-compatible sound card PowerMac G3 266 MHz or faster - OS 9.2.1, 10.1.5, 10.2.3, 10.3.1 (Field Trip Adventure Disc: OS 9.2.1, OSX Classic Mode) 64 MB of RAM (128 MB RAM for 10.1.5, 10.2.3, 10.3.1) 16x CD-ROM drive 16-bit color
 * Jump Start Adventures 4th Grade **
 * Windows® System Requirements **
 * Macintosh® Workstation **

1.  The purpose of this software is to help students strengthen their reading skills, such as comprehension, vocabulary and recognition. It also helps student with problem solving and reasoning in math. The grade levels for this software are kindergarten – 5th and the subjects are reading, writing, and math. 2. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The categories that this software fall under are drill and practice and instructional. This program builds off of what teachers teach in the classroom so that students are just building on to their learning. It gives them more of a visual outlook then just listening. 3. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> A good scenario would be to have students, who need that added element of learning, sit down at the computer after a lesson is given on go further than the teacher has time to. It can help reinforce what the student has already learned and help them to build on that learning. 4. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The strengths are, students are getting more instruction on a certain lesson then the teacher has time for in the classroom. Weakness would be that it is developed more for lower level learners rather than all learners. 5. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The cost of the program is: personal use $59.98, a 5 user lab pack is $259.98, a 10 user lab pack is $464.98, and a 20 user lab pack is $749.98. It can be purchased from: [] [] System requirements are: Pentium II 266 MHz or faster Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP (including Tablet PC Edition) or Vista 128 MB minimum RAM 800x600 (minimum) 1024 X 768 (recommended) 16-bit color or higher 75 MB minimum install 250 MB full install CD-ROM drive (for installation only) Optional: Windows compatible printer Optional: Internet browser Optional: Soundcard and speakers Optional: Microphone Optional: Interactive electronic whiteboard Macintosh G3 300 MHz or faster OS X, version 10.2.8 or newer 192 MB minimum RAM 800x600 (minimum) 1024 X 768 (recommended) Thousands of colors or higher 75 MB minimum install 250 MB full install CD-ROM drive (for installation only) Optional: Macintosh compatible printer Optional: Internet browser Optional: Microphone Optional: Interactive electronic whiteboard
 * Kidspiration 3.0 **
 * Windows® **
 * Macintosh® **

1. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The purpose of this software is to help students in learning about science. Particularly, astronomy, life science, the food chain, and much more. The grade levels for this program are 3rd to 8th and the subject area is science. 2. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The category this program falls under would be simulation. Students have to help the Zoombinis restore their island after it has been destroyed by an enemy. 3. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> A scenario I would use would be to have students work on this program before and after we learned a lesson on astronomy, life science, the food chain, etc. It will help students to visualize what really can happen when our world changes and what can happen if certain elements are taken away. Because it is only pertaining to science it would be hard to integrate this into other aspects of the classroom. 4. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The strengths would be that students actually get to help build a society and learn about different science aspects of the life around us. A weakness would be that students may not truly understand why things in the world around us need to be in our world for it to function. That is where Direct Instruction from the teacher would play a vital role. 5. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> The cost of this program is: School version $69.95, Lab 6 $179.95, Lab 25 $550 You can purchase this program from: [|http://store.sunburst.com] System Requirements are: <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;"> ** Windows ** Pentium II Win 95/Win 98/Win ME/Win XP 32MB Mac 8.X/Mac 9.X 32MB
 * Zoombinis Island Odyssey **
 * Macintosh ** PowerMac

Kid Inspiration 3.0 catches my eye because when I was just learning how to read my teacher did not take the time out to really help me. If I was able to use programs in school to help my reading and comprehension maybe at a young age I would be a strong reader!! Reading needs to be a serious focus at such a young age, because there are a lot of kids who are not very strong readers and who shy from reading in front of their classmates!!! Stephanie Zelones