Christin+Congdon

JumpStart Spanish is designed to teach beginning Spanish learners basic words. Colors, numbers, days of the week, types of clothing, Rooms in the house, places in town. The box recommends ages 3-6, but in reality I would say grade levels Kindergarten through second grade. This software is designed for drill, practice, and instructional use. This would be useful software to make young children aware of other languages. It would fall into a social studies or language unit. I do not know that I would use this particular software. The strengths of this software are that it is colorful, interactive, enjoyable, and consistent. The downsides are that the voice speaking is not always clear. The student could have difficulty in deciphering what the teacher (on the game) is saying, leading to frustrations during the game. I tried it with headphones and on computer speakers, it is simply the quality (or lack there of) in the recording. Some of the games are overly repetitive while others have too many parts. If the child accidentally chooses the “all Spanish” version (level 2) then they will be completely lost. JumpStart Spanish is available at most major office and retail stores. You can find it online through amazon.com for $19.99. I wouldn’t pay that much for it. For more information you can visit their website at [] **CD-ROM Format**, ** Windows 95 or Windows 3.1: ** 486DX2, 66Mhz or faster, Double Speed CD-ROM drive, 8 MB RAM, 5 MB available on hard drive, SVGA 640x480 256 colors, MPC compatible sound card, Mouse. ** Macintosh: ** 68040 08 MHz or Power Mac, Double Speed CD-ROM, 8 MB RAM, 5 MB available on hard drive, 13” – 256 color monitor, System 7.1 or higher My children tried Jumpstart Spanish and it is aimed to teach children to learn basic Spanish. The program was easy to install and any child can open it without any problems. Although the software has vivid colors and great animation it fails to provide a more challenging set of activities. It seems to me that this software had only a specific group in mind; beginners. It does nothing for kids who already have a background on Spanish such as colors, clothes, shapes, numbers and food. Both my girls had a basic Spanish vocabulary and got bored with it very quickly. It would have been more effective if it covered a wider range of levels and provided with more challenging activities to prevent kids from getting bored with it. ** BrainPopJr.com ** BrainPopJr. Is a website based program that provides information on any subject required in school: social studies, Science, Health, Writing, Reading, and Math. Each category has a listing of top taught elements and includes a movie, activity, write/draw about it, quiz, joke, game, and word wall activity. BrainPopJr is appropriate for Kindergarten through 3rd grade. BrainPop is available for 3rd grade through high school. The purpose of this program is instructional, practice, drill, and assessment. I would use this program to introduce my students to new ideas or concepts. The activities that can be printed from the site are good follow ups, but not teaching tools. I would use this in any K-3 class, and the older version for 3-8. It would be pushing it with high schoolers, but those in need of some simplification in math or science concepts would find it useful. It would fit into all subject areas. I love the fact that every element has a movie clip that explains the concept in multiple ways. The availability of so many different items from all of the different subjects is great. They cover holidays, presidents, history, famous people, events, and math/science concepts. I like the follow up jokes (what kid doesn’t like jokes), the word wall to emphasize main concepts, and the quiz to assess what the students learned. It can be purchased as a classroom package and each student can keep a folder with their scores in it. This is helpful for the teacher. The only downside it that not ALL lessons are in here. They do add more sections all the time. Classroom subscriptions are $115 a year, Family subscription is $75. It can also be purchased for districts, school media labs, and schools. There is a discount for multiple year memberships. Subscriptions are made at the website: [] **This is a web Based** program that uses most internet browsers, Adobe Flash Player, printer, mouse, color monitor, and an internet connection. It works best when other applications are not running in the background.
 * JunpStart Spanish **

** HeadSprout Reading ** HeadSprout is a web-based program that is designed for emergent readers. This program works with phonemes, phonics, syllables, blends, and onset-rime. It would be most appropriate for K-3 due to the cartoon nature of the lessons. It is used for i nstructional lessons, practice, drill, and progression assessment. If the student answers the correct percentage of the lesson, the computer continues forward. If they do not, they repeat the lesson from the beginning of the instruction. Both of my own kids had this program for their use in Kindergarten (their uncle works there). It makes for a great tool that teaches beginning readers the smallest to largest elements of learning to read. It includes a section on how to use the mouse and listen to instructions. I would use it as a station where the students could go to the computers during center time. When the students log in the program teaches and monitors, so the students can’t skip ahead or get off task. The assessment portion shows the teacher how well they are doing, who needs extra help and in what area, as well as who is ahead. Strengths: great instructional program with funny and lovable cartoon characters who guide students through learning games. The requirement of the student to obtain a 90% or higher in order to move on is superb. It keeps the students where they should be and progresses them to the next level when they have mastered the first. In particularly important sections the students must make 100% in order to pass to the next game. Teachers also receive read along books to match the games and characters, an achievement chart with stickers, and a certificate of completion. These are great tools to keep students moving forward and giving them the ability to practice their reading skills at home and in the classroom from a real book. The downside would be that if a child doesn’t pass a game in a certain amount of time, they keep repeating it. This could cause boredom or frustration. The lesson also backs up to start at the “teaching” portion, not just restarting the game. Cost is also considerable, so don't go into this program without a grant or source of substantial financing. Classroom Direct quote from the web site: " Headsprout offers two pricing options. For implementations focused on fewer students, Completion pricing is a one time, per student fee. This means that once you have paid for a student you don't have to pay for that student to use Headsprout Early Reading the next school year. Each student is a Headsprout Early Reading learner until he or she graduates from the program (completes all 80 lessons)*. If students complete the program in a single academic year, we guarantee that they will be reading at grade level. If they don't finish and continue into the next academic year they may still use Headsprout Early Reading at no additional charge." For a family deal a ll 80 episodes (lessons) are $198 per person for family use. [] **Web based**: PC or Mac, Internet Connection, Flash Player, and Mouse.

** Scratch Programming ** Scratch is a programming program created by MIT researchers. It teaches students (kids) how to create games and actions sequences, think ahead, and be creative while designing their own video game. This is appropriate for grades 3-8. The purpose of Scratch is to utilize and learn sequencing, creativity, group design (if working in groups), and mathematical relations while practicing these concepts. This is a great way to introduce the joys of programming into your technology requirements. It uses puzzle blocks that piece together to make a program (video game). If you get the wrong sequence (forget a step) your program won’t run all the way. Because this require higher end sequencing I wouldn’t recommend it under 3rd grade unless you have advanced students (my second grader plays with it). This could be used to create “math” or “reading” games and then share them with other kids in the class for evaluation. This is a great first introduction to programming and a fun way to learn about what it really takes to make a video game. It can eventually lead into actual programming language skills in upper grades. The downside is that as a teacher, you will have to learn some basic programming and how the pieces work. This will take a little legwork. The students will need a lesson or so on how to use the software and will probably need active guidance on how to use it through the first project. The cost is free on the we:. [] **Web Based** program uses: Most internet browsers, Adobe Flash Player, printer, mouse, color monitor, and an internet connection.

** Science Simulations ** Science Simulation is a program that is made for 9-11 year olds, though could easily be adapted for promethean board use for first and second graders. The software allows the user to simulate experiments in plant growth, food works, states of matter, electricity, forces, and Light, sun, shadow experiments. This program is instructional, practice, assessment, and simulation functional. I would use this program in my science section to introduce experiment concepts to students. These virtual experiments allow for an entire growing process to be finished in a matter of minutes instead of hours. Soil quality, lighting, water delivery, and temperature can be controlled on a daily basis (seconds in real time) resulting in results to hypothesis in minutes. Other experiments can show how electricity works in a circuit, how states of matter can be changed, how friction works by changing the slider board under a weight, and other great simulations. I LOVED this program and I would put serious consideration into purchasing for my classroom someday… at my own expense if I had to. The hands on, variable control in experiments means teachers can assign specific variable measures to student groups who can observe what happens and report back. The program comes with a teacher’s guide and offers students scenarios. The only downside is that unless instructions are given on how to use the program (specific variable settings) the students could be a bit lost at first. Cost: $44.95 per computer or $140 for a 5 user package. Prices vary and it can be found at multiple education online stores. Shop around; there are some BIG price differences between inline retailers. [] **CD-ROM Format: PC:** Pentium 233 MHz processor, 64 MB RAM, Microsoft Windows 98 or later, 16 Bit Color, Sound Card, and CD-ROM Drive.
 * Mac:** PowerMac or G3, 233 MHz processor, 128 MB RAM, OS X or 10.2 or later, 16 Bit Color, Sound Card, and CD-ROM Drive.

Comment by Christina Lochow I just looked at the Science Simulation program and I agree with you - this seems to be a great program to enhance science and technology classes. My son recently did a presentation on the heart (3rd grade), and the activities in the "Life Processes" on labeling the heart would have been a valuable additional resource. I also really liked their tutorial called "Web Detectives" which covers everything from information on the Internet, Web browsers and URLs to Internet safety. They even have a section on designing a Web page (the demo version did not allow to access it, however). I was really impressed by the depth of information covered, given the fact that this is a tutorial made for 9-11 year olds. Oh, and I loved the British accent of the speakers. Thank you for the word of caution in your JumpStart review. I was only aware of their educational theme parks for Pre-School and K-students (3D Virtual world, interactive characters, adventure land) but I didn't know that they also publish language programs. How interesting that there is a problem with the recording - this seems to defeat the purpose, especially of a language learning program.

**Comment by Amy Torres** I enjoyed learning about brainpop.com. As I was reading your review, certain students popped into my head because I knew they would enjoy the program. I have students who have trouble with reading and math. Even though I am their French teacher, I still want to help them succeed in their core classes as well. I thought of one student in particular who still has trouble with simple math concepts. If he could improve in those areas while using a fun program like Brain Pop, I would be thrilled! I will look into the program. The cost is not too bad! Thanks for opening my eyes to the program!

Comment by Angelique Jackson Wow! I didn't know such a site as Scratch existed. Just the type of site to motivate my ELL students for a variety of purposes. I can't believe the program is free! I will definitely be hopping on this probably around next semester. It would offer a great opportunity for me to introduce technology in a different creative light for my ELLs.