September 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

The new JumpStart Advanced series for students in preschool through 2nd grade features four titles: JumpStart Advanced Preschool, JumpStart Advanced Kindergarten, JumpStart Advanced 1st Grade and JumpStart Advanced 2nd Grade. Each features the JumpStart All-Stars, seven characters who represent seven different learning styles and provide supplemental lessons matched to individual student learning styles. Each title includes an advanced content level for each grade, as well as levels covering first and second semester grade concepts. The programs automatically adjust skill levels to match student ability. Progress report tracking and teacher materials are included. Hybrid Mac/Win CD-ROM. $41—Teacher edition, includes two copies of the software and teacher materials with lesson plans for activities away from the computer. $118—lab pack, five users. $325—site license, 15 users. $700—network version. Knowledge Adventure, http://www.sunburst.com/ or 800/321-7511.
 

Early Learning

Peanuts: Where's the Blanket, Charlie Brown? for ages 4 and up allows youngsters to help the Peanuts gang track down Linus's missing security blanket. This discovery adventure takes children into the world of Peanuts, where they can drop into a computer camp, go to the supermarket, check out the library, or catch the magic show of the "Great Houndini" (who looks a lot like Snoopy). The program includes nine hidden games and activities to discover, as well as a Snoopy Meter. Hybrid Mac/Win CD-ROM. $20—single copy. Tivola Publishing, http://www.tivola.com/ or 212/431-4420.
 

Languages

The Start-to-Finish Blue Library is the newest addition to the Start-to-Finish books, a collection of supplemental high-interest, low-vocabulary stories developed for students who are two or more grades behind in reading. The Blue Library is designed to help struggling readers with text that is more inferential and written in more formal, literary language. With grade 4/5 level readability, the material is available in three formats: computer book on CD-ROM, paperback book, and audiocassette. The new titles include Greeks Myths and Legends, Classic Adventures (retelling works of literature such as Jack London's Call of the Wild), and A Step into History series about the American Revolution. Prices begin at $65 for an individual title. Don Johnston, Inc., http://www.donjohnston.com/ or 800/999-4660.
 

Mathematics

Math Essentials: Multiplication and Division for grades 4-6 helps students practice computational skills while working on problems from single digit multiplication and division to regrouping activities with decimals. The program is hosted by a family of cave dwellers who guide students through three multi-level activities and their tools and features. Students are offered assistance when computation or concept errors are made. A reporting function helps teachers assess student progress by tracking actions throughout each challenge. Teachers can focus on certain skill sets, print worksheets and tests, and modify a variety of performance features. Hybrid Mac/Win CD-ROM. $90—single copy or lab pack of 10. $700—network version or school unlimited license. Sunburst,http://www.sunburst.com/ or 800/321-7511.

The second title in the Math Arena series, Math Arena Advanced for students in grades 7-10, provides practice sessions with 20 math challenges that build number, geometry, estimation, data analysis, probability, pre-algebra, and visual-thinking skills. Each activity has two levels of difficulty and is playable with or without a timer. Students can work individually or in small groups. Hybrid Mac/Win CD-ROM. $100—single copy or lab pack of 10. $700—network version or school pack of 80. Sunburst, http://www.sunburst.com/ or 800/321-7511.
 

Science

Bioscopia for ages 8 and up helps students explore human and cell biology, genetics, zoology, and botany as they work to save a young researcher trapped in an abandoned biological research station. Students must solve problems to unlock doors and save the researcher from poison gas pumped throughout the lab by the station's long-dormant robots. This program is a science adventure sequel to the program Physicus. Hybrid Mac/Win CD-ROM. $20—single copy. Tivola Publishing, http://www.tivola.com/ or 212/431-4420.
 

Tools

Inspiration Software celebrates its 20th anniversary with the release of Inspiration 7.0, the latest update to the popular visual learning tool As part of the celebration, the company also has produced a new edition of its Evaluation CD and a series of new case studies showcasing innovative uses of the Kidspiration and Inspiration programs throughout the U.S. The 20th Anniversary Evaluation CD, available online to educators at no cost, introduces 80 new examples of educational activities, templates, and examples of projects in all curriculum areas, as well as interactive multimedia tours of the two programs. Inspiration Software, http://www.inspiration.com/ or 800/877-4292.

The Whole Class Teaching Tools series includes five titles focused on helping elementary and middle school students develop skills in mathematics and art.Whole Class Number Connections helps students make mathematical connections by completing equations and sentences. Whole Class Decimals, Whole Class Fractions, and Whole Class Percentages focus on mathematical concepts in the context of real life situations and objects (for example: None of the chocolate has been eaten yet). Whole Class Fresco provides students with tools for creating art, including drawing and painting media such as crayon, charcoal, pastel, airbrush, watercolor, spray, pen, paint, felt tip, splatter brush, italic pen, and zigzag pen. A variety of effects, canvases, stamps, and built-in and customized options are available. The software has been designed for use with a projector, whiteboard, or single computer. Whole Class Fresco, Windows CD-ROM only. All other titles, hybrid Mac/Win CD-ROM. $50—single unit price for each title in the series. Pack and site license pricing are available. Tool Factory, http://www.toolfactory.
com/ or 800/220-8386.
 
 
 

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