Kids Companion/Kids Companion CD-ROM.iso/sclmom/software.doc

Text File | 1995-02-13 | 17KB | 282 lines

1.   School-Mom PLUS Version 5.0 (for DOS)
     School-Mom Plus has multiple levels of instruction for math, English,
     art, music, alphabet, spelling and telling time.  It also has a multiple-
     choice exam generator with some exams already provided.

     The art option has a very nice coloring book option that allows you
     to create your own pictures, store them for later use, and color them
     with a large selection of colors.  Use the other options to generate
     beautiful screen art.

     The English section will teach your child all about sentence structure
     and subject-verb agreement.  It has 4 options.  You won't believe how
     easy it is to use and how much fun your child will have learning this
     subject.

     The math section has multiple level instruction for addition,
     subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and basic algebra.  It
     also has arcade style games.  This large math section provides most of
     the tools you need to take your child from kindergarten to 6th grade
     level in math.

     Use the Music option to write and edit music, then store your tunes for
     later use.  Some tunes are already provided.

     Use the spelling option to practice your spelling homework.  Enter your
     own words or use the large files of existing words.  Maximum word size
     is 16 characters.  Features large graphical characters.  Also, if you
     have a SoundBlaster, the words are spelled for you with real human voice!

     Young children can use the Telling Time option to learn how to read a
     clock.  Start with on-the-hour times and progress to more difficult times.
     The digital time is also shown.

     Want to teach geography, history, science or social studies?  Use the
     multiple-choice exam generator.  This version of School-Mom comes with
     50 exams already written but you can write your own.

     School-Mom is widely considered to be the most comprehensive educational
     software ever written.  Recommended for ages 4 to 14.  With this colorful
     software you can learn and have fun at the same time.  Requires a hard
     disk, VGA+, DOS 2.1+, 640k memory, and a mouse.  If you have a
     soundblaster, School-Mom will talk with real human voice.  By Motes
     Educational Software. ($25)

2.   Jurassic Spelling Version 2.0
     This is another VGA spelling program similar to the spelling option in
     School-Mom except it comes with a dinosaur visual subject file.  Use the
     it to practice your spelling homework.  Enter your own words or use the
     large files of existing words.  Maximum word size is 16 characters.
     Features large graphical characters and colorful pictures as rewards
     which are also educational.  It requires a hard drive, at least 512K RAM,
     and VGA.  Supports your SoundBlaster if you have one.  By Motes
     Educational Software and DareWare, Inc.  ($19, or $29 to get additional
     subject files)

3.   School-Mom for Windows, Volume 1 (ColorBook)
     ColorBook for Windows is the first in a series of Windows educational
     products from MES and GoWest Educational Software.  The goal of
     this effort is to produce software that will take your child from
     his/her first introduction to a computer to college-level concepts.
     ColorBook for Windows is the first program in this series.

     The purpose of ColorBook for Windows is to introduce your pre-schoolers
     to computers.  The skills learned at this stage are primarily mouse
     skills such as pointing and clicking.  These are skills which are
     inherently difficult to learn and require eye, hand and finger
     coordination.  To help your child in this endeavor ColorBook is
     designed with large, easy-to-locate mouse cursors which indicate
     function.  Each mouse action is accompanied by prompt visual and aural
     recognition of events for instant feedback.  In ColorBook, the only
     new concept introduced to your child is be the mouse.

     In addition to the educational benefits, ColorBook for Windows
     also removes the dangers of a traditional paper coloring book by
     eliminating the crayons.  We all know these usually end up coloring
     much more than just the coloring book!  For the old-fashioned at
     heart ColorBook for Windows has the capability of printing
     uncolored pictures which the child may then color using crayons.

     To counter the dangers of having a child use the computer on
     which may reside important information and documents, ColorBook for
     Windows possess a feature called Kid Mode.  When this mode is
     activated (the default) ColorBook may not be minimized or exited.
     In effect, ColorBook takes over the Windows display for itself
     while not affecting programs running in the background.

     ColorBook is designed as a complete Windows application and
     supports CUT, COPY and PASTE of bitmaps in device dependent and
     device independent format.  ColorBook supports reading and writing
     bitmap files in compressed (the default) and uncompressed format
     (to be compatible with Windows PaintBrush).  ColorBook for Windows
     can print the colored picture in full color if a color printer is
     available to Windows, otherwise the image will be printed in
     black and white.  With ColorBook you can also create your own
     pictures using straight lines, freehand, boxes, circles, ovals and
     text.  An erase capability is also available.  As you can see its
     a full-featured program.

     Requires Windows 3.1 or later version.  By GoWest and Motes Educational
     Software. ($15)

4.   Snakes and Ladders
     This version of Snakes and Ladders is based on the traditional board
     game, but we have added some simple sums to get kid's brains working.
     Besides being just another game it helps young children learn to count
     up to 100 in steps of 1 to 6.  It's easy - just count from the square
     you are on, the number thrown on the dice.  At the end of the
     game there is a score of how well you have done.  You can play against
     the computer or a friend and if you just want to play for fun you also
     have the option of switching the sums off.  Requires DOS 3.3 or later,
     EGA+ graphics, and 640K RAM.  By SoftSell but distributed in the US by
     Motes Educational Software. ($20)

5.   Recorder Tutor
     Teaches you to play a musical instrument called a recorder.  It has two
     main parts: the right side of the screen shows the musical staves,
     while the left side shows the recorder.  As the tunes are played, notes
     are highlighted on the stave while the finger positions are displayed
     on the recorder.  Very easy to use with online help system.  Requires
     DOS 3.3 or later, EGA+ graphics, and 640K RAM.  By SoftSell but
     distributed in the US by Motes Educational Software. ($40)

6.   ESC CD-ROM
     The Educational Software Cooperative (ESC), which is a group of
     educational shareware authors, has produced a CD-ROM with 150 fantastic
     educational shareware programs on it.  These programs are not
     compressed and most can be run directly from the CD.  Some will have to
     be copied to your hard drive first. (Only $19)

7.   Math Explorer Series
     This series of math games actually teaches math with clever, high
     quality color animation.  Students learn math concepts, not just
     number facts.  Topics ranging from counting through division are
     taught as the students catch and move numbers or objects around
     the screen with the mouse.  Sets of objects are used to introduce
     the math concepts including regrouping.  Multi-digit addition and
     subtraction are taught in the traditional one's-column, 10's-column,
     etc. manner used in schools.  Problems are solved in the same
     column-by-column manner in the practice games.  Formerly, computer
     programs required students to add multi-digit numbers in their head
     and then type in the number from left to right.

     Each program consists of a series of games to introduce new concepts
     or practice learned skills.  Each game has it's own individual help
     screen.  Since all interaction can be done through the mouse, the
     students do not need to look from the screen to the keyboard and back
     each time a question must be answered.  All of these games were
     play-tested with students, parents, and teachers to make sure they
     were easy to learn and fun to play.  The speed of the moving objects
     and the difficulty of the questions can be varied independently.  EGA,
     DOS 2.1 and 512k memory is required for all three programs.  By First
     Magnitude.

     Math 1 -- Number meaning, Counting, Addition, and Subtraction to 10
        (7 games)  ($15)
     Math 2 -- Place value, Addition, and Subtraction with and without
        regrouping to 1999 (7 games)  ($15)
     Math 3 -- Single digit Multiplication and Division with and without
        remainders (6 games)  ($15)

     If you purchase all three of these programs in the Math Explorer Series,
     you may get them for only $25.

8.   Beat the Bomb (Timed Math Drill Program)
     Race against a clock, a bomb, or a frog, or build castles with correct
     answers in this timed math drill program.  Many options, including the
     ability to change the number of problems, missing factors, etc.  Sound,
     clock, and animation can be turned on or off.  Setups and high scores
     are saved.  Fast animated graphics add to the fun.  Includes addition,
     subtraction, multiplication, division, and a combined mode.  Requires
     EGA, DOS 2.1+, and 512k memory.  By First Magnitude. ($15)

     If you purchase all three of the programs in the Math Explorer Series,
     plus Beat the Bomb, you may get them for only $30.

9.   SCHOOLMASTER (Teacher's Gradebook)
     SchoolMaster is a teacher's gradebook program designed to satisfy
     teachers who have been frustrated with other programs.  An elementary
     teacher with a multi-grade classroom provided the initial inspiration
     for the project and helped immensely in the design stages.  Teachers
     at all levels enjoy its familiar rows-and-columns appearance and its
     ease of use.  You can weight your scores by categories, if you like.
     And yes, this program understands about excused and un-done assignments.
     You'll have plenty of elbow room with unlimited students per class and
     up to 99 assignments per subject.  Checking on students will be
     hassle-free with instantly updated averages and progress reports.  To
     really see why we like it, though, you'll have to try it, so go ahead
     and place an order today.  And remember, its risk free for 60 days!
     Requires DOS version 3.3+, and 640K RAM.  Mouse is recommended.
     By SchoolMaster Software. ($55)

10.  ESP (Early Spanish educational program for sound boards)
     Early Spanish is the first bi-lingual package (English & Spanish)
     for children age 1 through 14. This package will teach your child how
     to speak Spanish. The English speech will gradually fade into all
     Spanish speech and your child will start to memorize Spanish words
     and numbers while they learn basic mathematics. Early Spanish is
     a fabulous talking teacher with real human speech that helps children
     learn how to say numbers, count, remember phone numbers, add,
     subtract, and much more.  Early Spanish allows parents and teachers
     to record their own voice and use the new voice to teach their children
     and students. You can record any language into this package.  Lead your
     child into the next century with this package.  System Requirements:
     512K memory, hard drive, EGA/VGA graphic and a SoundBlaster or 100%
     compatible sound board.  A PC speaker version is available.  By
     DareWare, Inc. ($29)

11.  TALKING SPANISH For Sound Boards
     Learning to talk, read, write and how to spell in Spanish will
     provide lots of enjoyment with this interactive talking program.
     Talking Spanish will teach young children how to say and pronounce
     correctly early words (hola, mama, por favor, gracias, etc.).
     Talking Spanish will teach preschoolers how to say and understand
     the letters of the Spanish alphabet, how to find these letters on
     the keyboard and how to recognize the letters in commonly spoken
     Spanish words.  This program has positive reinforcement.  When a
     question is answered correctly, Talking Spanish will say
     excelente, muy bien, magnifico or fantastico.  The high-resolution
     graphics are designed to bring out the child's creativity by using
     kaleidoscopes and collages (the child will recognize various
     objects, letters and words hidden in the graphics).  Talking
     Spanish is the first educational package that allows parents and
     teachers to record their own voices and use them in this package to
     teach their children and students.  This is a breakthrough in
     educational software.  Lead your child into the next century with
     this new bi-lingual package.  Requires 512K memory, hard drive,
     EGA/VGA graphic and a SoundBlaster or 100% compatible.  By DareWare,
     Inc. ($29)

12.  TALKING TEACHER for Sound Boards
     Learning to talk, read, write and how to spell is lots of fun with
     this interactive talking program.  Talking Teacher will teach young
     children how to say early words (hi, mama, dada, I love you, drink,
     please, thank you, up, bye, etc.) and how to interact with a computer.
     Talking Teacher will teach preschoolers the ABC song, how to say and
     understand the alphabet, how to find letters on the keyboard and how to
     recognize the letters in words.  Talking Teacher will teach and test
     grades 1-12 on their weekly spelling words.  You can change the spelling
     words to match your child's weekly words.  Easy Draw teaches the child
     how to use the mouse and be creativity.  This program has positive
     reinforcement.  When a question is answered correctly Talking Teacher
     will say way to go, super duper, excellent, etc.  The high-resolution
     graphics are designed to bring out the child's creativity by using
     kaleidoscopes and collages (your child will recognize various objects,
     letters and words hidden in the graphics).  Talking Teacher is the first
     educational package that allows parents and teachers to record their own
     voice and use it to teach their children and students.  This is a
     breakthrough in educational software.  Lead your child into the next
     century with this package.  Requires 512K memory, hard drive, EGA/VGA
     graphic and a SoundBlaster or 100% compatible.  By DareWare, Inc. ($29)

The following products are hardcopy books:

13.  The Home School Manual
     A practical book about: deciding for or against home schooling, knowing
     how to teach various topics and levels (preschool to high school and
     special needs children), and keeping it legal.  Written from a Christian
     perspective, but appreciated as well by many parents who home school
     for other reasons.  The large reference section includes home school
     organizations and services, product reviews, and much more.  55 chapters,
     26 appendices, and planning forms to copy, in 511 pages, 8 1/2 X 11
     inches.  5th edition by Theodore E. Wade, Jr., Ph.D. and 38 other
     contributors. ($19.95)

14.  Science Activities for Christian Children
     Activities for children 5 to 12.  Emphasizing the process skills of
     observing, measuring, classifying, communicating, using numbers,
     inferring, and predicting.

     Spiritual lessons suggested for each activity plus Bible references
     which lead to more ties with life principles.  An index provides cross
     references for matching activities with specific science topics.

     Here are titles of some of the 89 activities: Find Your Rock, String-
     and-Can Telephone, Find the Largest, Filtering, Constellations (Star
     Patterns) in a Box, Weather Check, Floating Boats, Effects of Inertia,
     Vibrating String, Making Colors, Percentage Germination.

     127 pages by Clifton Keller and Jeanette Appel. ($6.50)