Lindsey+Turner

Houghton Mifflin interactive 1. The purpose of this game is to help kids learn phonics and start laying the basics for reading. The subject area would be literacy. 2. The software categories that this game falls into are problem solving and instructional games. 3. I would use this software for a first grade class. I would use it to reinforce some of the grammar rules and phonics they are using. This software would be a good basis for the student’s writing skills in later grades. 4. Some of the strengths are that when you pass a level these clowns come out and tell silly jokes that young kids would get a kick out of. Also at the end of the game you get a certificate of achievement, which you can print out for the kids. One negative thing is that it’s hard to tell what some of the pictures are, however it does tell you if you put the cursor on it. Some of the games go really fast and I even had trouble keeping up. Also, in one of the levels you’re supposed to click on an object to pick it up, but I kept wanting to click and drag the object, so that was kind of frustrating. Some of the directions are confusing even for me so I know they would be confusing to little kids. 5. The system requirements are Windows 3.1, Windows 95, and supposedly, Macintosh but I couldn’t get it to work with my Mac. I found this game on the internet at http://www.rmlearning.com/27248.htm for $15.99. A link to the manufacturer’s website is www.hmco.com/.
 * __Curious George Learns Phonics for Kindergarten-1st grade__**

By Knowledge Adventure 1. The purpose of this game is to give students extra practice with their spelling words in an enjoyable way. This software can be used for 1st- 5th graders. 2. The software categories it falls into are drill and practice, instructional game, and problem solving. 4. One thing that’s really cool in this program is that there are instructions in English and Spanish which would be very useful for ESL students. Another really neat thing is that you can input your own spelling words into the program so the children are practicing their own spelling words and not just some random words. If you miss a word, the program keeps giving them to you until you get it right. The main character in this game is a really cute dog. The only bad thing I have to say about this game is that it takes a few minutes to get the hang of each game and some of the levels are really fast which makes it kind of hard. I had a lot of fun playing these games and I think kids would be challenged but also enjoy it. 5. I found this software online at childrenssoftwareonline.com for $9.98 with free shipping. The system requirements are Windows 2000, XP, Vista. There is no version for Macs. Here is a link to the manufacturer: www.knowledgeadventure.com/.
 * __JumpStart Study Helpers Spelling Bee__**

The Learning Company 1. The purpose of this game is to give children extra practice in spelling, geography, and history. The ages for this game are 8 – 14. 2. The software categories for this game are tutorial, simulation, and problem solving. 3. I would use this game for students who need extra help with spelling. It’s very good for practicing where different states and countries are. There are questions about history and facts that pop up about historically important people but it doesn’t really focus on a specific time period or anything so I don’t think I would use it for practice in history. The grade level I would use it in would probably be fifth or sixth grade. Some of the missions you have to do require a little bit more thinking. 4. Some positive things about this program is that you can enter your own spelling lists or it will make up it’s own and there are a lot of little facts that pop-up during the missions about geography and history. One of the negative things is that it takes forever to beat it. I’m going to be honest, I didn’t finish it. It gets redundant after a while and you have to complete 12 missions. The good thing is you can save your game so that way the students could come back to it and then it may not get boring. 5. The system requirements for this game are Windows 3.1, 95, 98, Me, and Vista or Mac OS 7, 8, or 9. . Here is a weblink to the manufacturer: http://www.learningco.com. I found this game for sale at http://www.smartkidssoftware.com/nd bro39.htm for $7.99 not including shipping.
 * __Carmen Sandiego Word Detective__**

The Learning Company 1. The purpose of this software is to introduce students to physics. The game teaches basic concepts about simple machines and different tools that will help them solve real-life problems.This game is for ages 7 – 12. The subject area is science and it touches on a little bit of math. 2. The category this game falls into is mostly problem solving. I didn’t really feel like it fell into any other categories. You have to win a number of races and in order to win those races you have to solve simple physics or math problems. 3. I would use this game with 3rd or 4th graders mostly. When I am teaching science and physics, I would use this game to reinforce the concepts and get the children thinking. 4. Some positive attributes of this game are that it’s about science and more specifically physics. It seems like there are not many games out there about science, so that in itself is a positive in my opinion. The idea is to win a bunch of races which you do by solving puzzles and science questions using different gadgets like a screwdriver. One negative thing is that the music gets really annoying but that may just be for adults, because kids seem to like that type of music. Another thing about this game is that it doesn’t explain certain things if you miss the questions which can be kind of frustrating. 5. The system requirements for this game are Windows Version 1.12, or Macintosh Version 1.03. Here is a weblink to the manufacturer: http://www.learningco.com. I found a website where you can download the full game for free at http://free-game-downloads.mosw.com/abandonware/pc/educational_games/ games_s_z/super_solvers_gizmos_gadgets.html.
 * __Super Solvers: Gizmos and Gadgets!__**

The Learning Company 1. The purpose of this game is to practice math facts. The subject area is math. This game is for grades 3-6. 2. The software categories that this game falls into are drill and practice and problem solving because it gives you a set of 20 or so problems all spread out on different tiles. The directions are to find all the problems which are equal to one. You use the arrow keys on the keyboard to move your math muncher to the right problems. 3. I would use this game with every grade level 3-6 because you can change the concept that the children are learning. I would let the children play this game after we learned a certain thing like addition. This game is really good for helping students memorize their math facts because they have to think fast. 4. One good thing about this game is that it covers a ton of different math concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, percentages, decimals, and simple geometry according to the back of the case. Another good thing is there is the option to play without the troggles, which are these little creatures that eat you if they can catch you. I think that it’s good that you can play with them or without them because kids who may not be that good at math would benefit from not having to worry about troggles eating them. This directions are very easy to understand and they are explained well. A negative thing is that there is really no variation. All the other games I’ve tried out have had different games but in this game you’re doing the same thing every time only with different numbers. 5. The minimum system requirements for this game are Windows 3.1/95/98 or Me, XP, or Macintosh 7.1 or later. Here is a weblink to the manufacturer: http://www.learningco.com. I found this game for sale at the website http:// www.childrenssoftwareonline.com/Default.aspx?m=item&pID=1153 and if this site doesn’t work you can just go to http://childrenssoftwareonline.com and look the game up in the website’s search engine. The game costs $14.98 and the shipping is free!
 * __Math Munchers Deluxe__**

__April Knudsen: Jump Start Spelling Bee When I was growing up I had the hardest time with spelling test. To this day I still struggle more than many of my peers with spelling. Any technology that help create a fun and interactive way to study spelling is wonderful! My mom would make up games for me to use and practice my spelling words. Jump Start has some amazing software, and this is certainly one of my favorites! I am going to suggest this software to our special education department, to help with some of our kids. __ _ Nina Hazelton: I like the sound of the first few programs, they sound fun while being educational. I wish they would have had more interactive games when I was learning, over 20 years ago.

Lindsey, The Jump Start Spelling Bee sounds like a fun software for students to use. I have never used any spelling software but I know for many students this would be a great thing due to the fact that spelling can just seem boring and repetitious. This software seems as if it would be used at home more so than in the classroom. In many classrooms spelling does not have as much time spent in comparison to other subject areas and there would most likely not be enough time for all the students to use the Jump Start Spelling Bee software so this would most likely not be used alone. The price of this software is very affordable which works well for parents and schools. Diana

Lindsey, I am really excited about the software you found. I am doing a field experience in a Kindergarten class right now and they would love the first few programs. I had a hard time finding software for the younger kids but this is perfect. Thanks. - Jackie Parry

Lindsey, I think the jump start programs are wonderful! I remember using those when I was in elementary and having so much fun! It didn't feel like learning. I think those programs will work wonderfully! Laura Ballard