Carlee+Snarich

Software Research

Program: **Classroom Newspaper Workshop**

Purpose: Instructs students in creating a classroom newspaper, while incorporating Language Arts, writing, science and math skills. The appropriate grade levels aren’t specified but I think that if would be best used in grades 3 and above. By this time the students are good writers and will better understand the fun of a classroom newspaper. This can be an exciting program for most subject areas including: language arts, science, history, art, music, and math.

Software Categories: This program would fall into a tutorial and a drill and practice category. The tutorials would be the lessons in each subject and the drill and practice would be the students being able to practice what the lesson taught them.

Where would I be able to integrate the use of this software? This software can really be used in all subject areas. I would use this as a weekly writing assignment, however. Every Friday when the day was almost over I would divide the students into groups and allow each group to write a different type of story or do a different activity for the newspaper. One group could write a story, another could perform an interview on another student, and there can also be investigations. This would be a fun way for the students to think about all of the different types of stories that are needed to make a successful newspaper. I would also have an editing group that would perform the language arts part of the program. Each group would alternate each week so that every student had the chance to perform every part. I think that this would work perfectly with 5th graders because they will be able to use an actual local newspaper for an example and understand every part that is needed to be done. This software would integrate into the other classroom activities by allowing the students to use different subject areas for their stories. They could perform a science experiment and write a story on it, or research a time in history and then write about it.

Strengths: Some strengths of this program are that it is a really fun way for students to learn how to write the correct way and gives them a chance to get creative with their ideas. Since many “fun” activities have been removed from schools, this would a perfect one to put into them. It can follow the standards and curriculum while letting the students have some fun.

Weakness: I really like this program and the only weakness I could find was that the software is kind of costly.

Price: For a site license for this software it would cost $699.95. I believe that this would allow all of the classrooms to be equipped with the program, however it does not specify what that means. It can be ordered over the phone at 1-800-342-0236 ext 267. More information can be found online at __http://powens.my.cape.com/cnwframes.html .__

The system requirements include: Color Macintosh computer with 4 megabytes of RAM. The hard drive must have 9 MB of space, and the minimum size of the color monitor is 12”, which must be set to 256 colors or gray scales. The system must be a 7.0 or higher.

Program: **Thinkin’ Science**

Purpose: This program teaches: Basic science methods and concepts, scientific reasoning, problem solving, measurement data interpretation and memory skills. This program is designed for student’s age 8 to 11, so particularly 3rd grade to about 6th grade. Science is the main subject area but other subjects are also included such as math and writing skills.

Software Categories: Problem solving would be the main category; students are given problems that they must come up with solutions to solve. Other categories that you will find in the program are instructional games and tutorial.

Where this progam integrate into my curriculum: I would use this program when teaching science. It is a very fun way for students to learn things like light, sound, and electricity. Those subjects can be very confusing to younger students, and this software will make it easily understandable. When doing a science lesson in my classroom I would base my entire lesson on the material that is explained on Thinkin’ Science. I would set up stations and allow the students to use this software as well as perform experiments so that they will have a deep understanding of what is being taught. Being able to learn science on a software program and then put that knowledge to use in an actual experiment will be very enjoyable for the students. I would use this program with 3rd, 4th, or 5th graders. I think that any of them would be able to understand the lesson. The software would integrate into other classroom activities by the students being able to work on the program and do other activities at the same time.

Strengths: Some strengths of this program are that is has good reviews and is well liked by students. Also that it is easy to learn how to work. Another strength is that the lessons don’t seem like lessons to the students because they are set up in fun ways. Students will learn and enjoy it, and that is what matters most.

Weaknesses: There are a few weaknesses that I noticed about this program. It only teaches about certain parts of science, there are not lessons for everything. Another weakness would be that there are not a lot of hands on activities.

Price: On Children’s Software Online, this program is currently on sale for $9.95 with free shipping. This is not the entire program, it is only the light, sound and electricity software. You can also find it on Amazon and other website online. To purchase this software visit one of the following websites: http://www.childrenssoftwareonline.com/Default.aspx?m=item&pID=1919 http://www.amazon.com/Edmark-EDMARK-THINKIN-SCIENCE/dp/B000WE2KAC Note: When you purchase the Amazon version, you get the entire program, not just the sound, light and electricity version. The cost of the entire program is $37.06.

System Requirements: Windows 95,98 or higher, 3.1 or a Macintosh, 486 Pentium processor and better, 5MB of hard drive, 8 MB of memory, double speed or faster, and you must have a windows sound card.

Program: **SuccessMaker**

Purpose: The purpose of SuccessMaker is to present standards-based instruction to all types of students. Whether they are at risk, high needs, or gifted, all students will learn with this one-on-one software. SuccessMaker is made for all students from Kindergartners to 8th graders. The subjects that are addressed through this software are Language Arts, English, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

Software Categories: The main category that this software fits into would be drill and practice. They are shown how to solve a problem, then given the chance to solve it. There are also instructional games that the students are allowed to play.

When this program would integrate into my curriculum: Since this software addresses so many subject areas, I could really use it with any lesson. I think the best time to allow the students to use the program would be during a free time, or during a computers lesson. I could assign all of the programs that I would want finished on a Monday, and they would have until Friday to finish all of them. Some schools have a designated time for the students to go to the computer lab, and when that time cam the students could work on SuccessMaker and learn the computer at the same time. If there is time left at the end of the day, I would also allow make students to work on their assignments then. I could also integrate this software into other classroom activities by having my students perform tasks on SuccessMaker during math, science, language arts or social studies lessons. Since most classrooms are not equipped with enough computers for every student, I would have the program be a station for just a small group of students then they would switch after a certain amount of time.

Strengths: Some strengths of this program are that it teaches many subjects and that it teaches along the lines of the standards. It is very helpful that it teaches by standards since that is so important. Another strength is that it is very fun for the students, and it is proven to improve test scores.

Weaknesses: It is individualized work that the students and doesn’t allow them to work with each other. That is really the only weakness I found with this program.

Price: If you are a teacher at a school that is Title I, 21st Century, Title III, Reading First, Title V, IDEA, or EETT there is funding available for your school to get this software. I have looked all over for a price and can’t seem to find one. You can get more information at this website: http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZ4Z4&PMDbProgramId=55601&PMDbSiteId=2781&PMDbSolutionId=6724&PMDbSubSolutionId=6731&PMDbCategoryId=806 Or call this number to purchase the program through RM.com 0-845-070-0300.

System Requirements: Pentium 3 processor or better, 512 MB of memory, 6 GB of free space, SCSI or IDE drive, and CD-Rom is required.

Program: **Essential Skills**

Purpose: This program offers assistance in a variety of subject areas, and teaches many different things in each area. There are programs for grades Kindergarten through tenth, and the subject areas that there are include: reading, phonics, vocabulary, grammar, science, math, and geography. Software Categories: Drill and practice is the main category that this software falls into. Problem solving is also used in the games. The student is taught things and then practice problems that involve what they were taught.

When would I would integrate this software into my curriculum: Since there are so many subject areas that are met with this software, and it is standards based, I could really use it any time. I would really like to use if for Language Arts lessons, however. There are really great programs on the software that helps with reading and writing skills. I would teach a lesson and then allow them to practice what I taught on the game. I could also allow students to play these fun learning games during a free time, or if they got done with their work early. This software would work great with any elementary grade level, since there is programs for all of them. The grammar and writing programs are specified for grades 3 to 5, so those are the levels that I would use them with. The software would integrate into other classroom activities by being able to do just about every subject on this software.

Strengths: Some strengths of this software is that it is standards based, has programs for almost all subjects, and there are activities designed for all types of learners. One thing I really like about the program is that the software tracks the student’s progress. This will help the teacher to know if they are using the programs for learning or just goofing around.

Weaknesses: One weakness I found with this software is that some programs do not apply to all grade levels. I also found that the software is costly. Other than that, I really like everything about this software.

Price: Each subject area has to be purchased separately, and they can be purchased in a single, lab or site form. Each subject in a single form is $98, lab form $329 and in the site form $698. There are three ways you can go about ordering this software: Online at: http://www.essentialskills.net/order/order.php5 Over the phone: (800)-753-3727 Or by fax: (800)-723-7718

System Requirements: On a Windows computer a Pentium 166 MHz is required along with, Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista, 64 MB of RAM, 100 MB of hard drive space, and a sound card and CD-ROM drive.

Program: **Merit Software**

Purpose: This software is basically for reading, writing and language arts; it also includes math programs. It helps children learn how to read, and how to comprehend what they are reading. It also helps students learn meanings of words and the writing process. There are programs made for all grade levels, elementary to college.

Software Categories: I think that this software has mostly tutorial type of programs. The student is taught by the program. As the students learn the skills they apply them to problems that they must solve.

When I would integrate this software into my curriculum: I would use this when teaching children how to read in grades 2 and 3, or with math in grades 3-5. Reading is something that I think is better taught when the student is engaged in what they are reading. If they are taught through a computer game, this will make it more enjoyable and they will better retain what they are learning. I would also use this program with math when teaching things like fractions. The program probably has many interesting examples of where fractions are used. I would integrate this software into other classroom activities by allowing the students to do hands on projects along with using the software. For example, if the students were learning how to read, I would have them read aloud to demonstrate what they are learning. Also, when learning fractions I would have the students find things in the real world that demonstrate the use of fractions.

Strengths: The strengths of this software would include: improving standardized testing score, being fun and interactive and by teaching the student and then allowing them to show what they have learned. All of the work that the students do is also stored, which will be handy for the teacher to see if they are progressing.

Weaknesses: Some weaknesses of this program are that there are no programs for subjects like science, and social studies. I also found that there is not a whole lot of information that can help you in deciding if you want to purchase the program or not.

Price: To find out pricing you must call one of these numbers: (800) 753-6488, (212) 675-8567. There is no pricing specified on the website. You can visit the website by going to: http://www.meritsoftware.com/buy/school.php

System Requirements: CD-ROM of DVD-ROM drive, Internet Explorer 4 or higher, Adobe Acrobat Reader, 500 MB of hard drive space, and VGA or higher resolution monitor.

April Knudsen: Classroom Newspaper Workshop

I agree that this software is pretty expensive. Dose the software teach about journalism at all? Do you think it would be worth a high school journalism class to invest in?

I think that incorporating this idea into a grade school classroom is a great idea! Allowing the students to work on their editing skills, a huge infuses in elementary school and CSAP, and creative writing gives them each a personal stake in their classroom project and learning! This is even a wonderful idea without the software, if a teacher were willing to put in the extra time to put out a "news letter". I know many elementary teachers who send a letter home at the end of each week talking about what the class is learning, and where they will be headed next week. If the students were able to make this their classroom newspaper, and the teacher were to have his/her own column in the paper. What a wonderful classroom addition!

Carlee, The programs that you reviewed that are standards-based sound like they could really help with CSAP. Maybe the kids wouldn't hate it so badly if they could have a little fun studying for it. The newspaper software sounds really neat also, but it's so expensive. I guess if you can use it for the whole school then it's not so bad. That would be such a neat program for kids to learn how to work in groups, and they could be proud of what they made all by themselves. The whole time they would be learning and not even know it! Lindsey

Christy Krobath: Classroom Newspaper Workshop I think that the program looks to be very useful, especially since it is very universal. I think that it also helps the students work on teamworking skills.

Carlee, The Classroom Newspaper Workshop sounds like a great software to use. Most students do not have much practice with creating newspapers. Also a strength to this program is that it includes most subject areas. Most things that can bring the subject areas together is a great lesson for students. I think this program would be very useful in the classroom and work on many skills for the students. Diana

Essential Skills sounds like it would be helpful in the classroom since it covers a wide range of areas, is standards based, and also covers a large age range. I like that it keeps track of scores and also caters to different learning styles. Anne Marie Lay

April, The Classroom Newspaper Workshop does have things that would help with journalism. It is mostly about writing, and editing stories which would help a lot in journalism. There is also a program for interviews, it teaches how and what to interview on. I think that this would be an amazing addition to a high school journalism class. At that point, some students may be deciding that they want to go to college for journalism and this software would give them a great jump start. Thanks for the great question, and your comment! Carlee Snarich

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ wow the Classroom Newspaper program sounds so cool! I really like that! It would be great for class projects together!