TitleWatch, January/February 2002


	January/February 2002 Copyright © Information Today, Inc.
by Kathie Felix, News/Reviews Editor
TitleWatch lists recently released educational software products that relate to the K-12 curriculum. This list is primarily but not exclusively comprised of CD-ROM products; other formats (diskettes, videodiscs) are noted in the text. Suggestions for entries and press releases should be addressed to Kathie Felix at 5746 Union Mill Rd., PMB 605, Clifton, VA 20124 or to kfelix@infotoday.com. (All titles are CD-ROM unless otherwise noted.)

Cross-Curriculum

Aspects of Religion, developed for high school students, explores eight religions--Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Shintoism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Buddhism--in terms of how specific issues are addressed by each religion. Students can explore topics such as war and peace, crime and punishment, prejudice, lifestyle, and the sanctity of life. Windows only.

Exploring World Religions covers the same information in a format suitable for upper-elementary and middle-school students. Windows or Mac. Both programs include more than 1,000 photographs, maps, illustrations, and pages of text, as well as personal interviews. $70--single copy price. Tool Factory, 800/220-8386 or http://www.toolfactory.com/.

Disney's Zoog Genius series allows students ages 9 to 12 to join the Zoog Disney characters in a quiz-show game that features hundreds of multiple choice questions based on curriculum supplied by McREL, the specialists in state educational standards.

Teachers can either download questions for inclusion into the quizzes or can insert their own questions. All questions can be read aloud during the game. The two titles in the series are Disney's Zoog Genius Language Arts, History & Geography and Disney's Zoog Genius Math, Science & Technology. Mac/Win hybrid CD-ROM. $20--single copy. Disney Interactive, 800/228-0988 or http://www.disneyinteractive.com/.

Early Learning

Clifford Learning Activities lets children ages 4 to 6 help Clifford, the Big Red Dog, perform good deeds. Youngsters follow Clifford and his friends to seven different locations where 10 activities allow the children to practice early developmental skills such as math, reading, sorting, matching, creativity, and word building. Mac/Win hybrid CD-ROM. $20--single copy. Scholastic, 800/Scholastic, or http://www.scholastic.com/.

Disney's Phonics Quest for ages 5 to 8 combines Disney characters, voice-recognition technology, and phonics-based reading principles. Mickey Mouse stars as the Sorcerer's Apprentice; players must complete six activities to help him retrieve items that he's lost. Along the way, youngsters learn letter and sound recognition, vocabulary, spelling, word building, long and short vowels, and reading comprehension. Mac/Win hybrid CD-ROM. $20--single copy. Disney Interactive, 800/228-0988 or http://www.disneyinteractive.com/.

I Spy Treasure Hunt transports children ages 6 to 10 to the seaside town of Smuggler's Cove where they can embark on three separate adventures in search of hidden pirate treasures. As youngsters explore the town and play 60 challenging I Spy riddles, pieces of three mysterious treasure maps are revealed. Children must use mapping and problem-solving skills to assemble the pieces and follow the clues to discover the treasures left behind by the town's legendary pirates. Mac/Win hybrid CD-ROM. $30--single copy. Scholastic, 800/Scholastic, or http://www.scholastic.com/.

Language Arts

Exploring Literary Worlds: Early American Voices, for grades 10-12, allows students to explore the history, culture, language, genres, and themes of American literature from the years 1500 to 1800. Special emphasis is given to the interaction of Native American, European, and African cultures. Students work with skills in research, critical thinking, expository writing, and classroom presentations. Windows CD-ROM, intranet-based. For Windows or Novell servers. First year fee (per product per school): $53 for less than 300 students, $104 for 300-599 students, $175 for 600-999 students, and $263 for 1,000 students or more. Renewal fees range from $16 for less than 300 students to $70 for 1,000 or more students. SAS inSchool, 888/760-2515 or http://www.SASinSchool.com/software/.

Mathematics

Graph Master Data Sets are now available to accompany the Graph Master software program that allows students in grades 4-8 to graph and compare data. The 50 data sets are tied to curriculum areas and cover a range of topics, including American and world history, immigration and population, geography, animals and plants, earth and space. Also included are a teacher's guide in .pdf format and access to Graph Master Online--a Web site with tips, links to more data, and activities. Mac/Win hybrid CD-ROM. $40--single computer license. $100--five computer license. $150--10 computer license. Network and site licenses are available. Tom Snyder Productions, 800/342-0236 or http://www.tomsnyder.com/.

Stickybear Numbers Deluxe introduces the world of numbers to children in pre-K through 1st grade. Youngsters are introduced to counting, number recognition, writing, and sequencing with interactive activities that focus on numbers 0-9 for early learners and 0-30 as number recognition increases. Teachers can target specific skills to build understanding. Windows only. $42--home version, single copy. $100--school version, two CDs and lesson plan binder. $270--lab pack, six CDs and lesson plan binder. $700--site license, 30 CDs and lesson plan binder. Optimum Resource, Inc., 843/689-8000 or http://www.stickybear.com/.

Social Studies

American Scrapbook: Detroit Memories Vol. 1, for grades 4-12, examines Detroit and the urban America of 100 years
ago. The disc explores working in a factory, attending school,
and interacting with family and friends in the city. Topics include ethnic and diverse cultures, women in the workforce, manufacturing, local theaters, science and technology, Packard automobiles, immigration, parks and recreation, and education.
A teacher's edition with a study guide is available. $40--single copy. Archive Impact, 888/467-2281 or http://www.archiveimpact.com/.

Decisions, Decisions Online is now available on CD-ROM. The six most popular titles from the series designed for grades 5-10 are available on disc: Cloning, Energy and the Environment, Death Penalty, Genetically Engineered Food, Gun Control, and Juvenile Crime. A printed teacher's guide and links to the Decisions, Decisions Online site are included. Hybrid Mac/Win CD-ROM. $30--Single computer license, each title. Network versions are available. Tom Snyder Productions, 800/342-0236 or http://www.tomsnyder.com/.

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