Software of the Month Club 1995 December/SOFM_Dec1995.bin/pc/dos/child/mom/software.doc

Text File | 1995-10-31 | 18KB | 350 lines

1.   School-Mom PLUS Version 6.0 (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.   It keeps
     track of your child's performance too.

     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.   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 preschoolers 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)

3.   School-Mom for Windows Volume 2 (Spell)
     This is a  great spelling  program that  allows  you to
     enter  not only  words but voice  files, picture files,
     and definition files to accompany the words.  The words
     are  shown on the screen with a  pre-selected number of
     letters missing.   You must select the missing letters.
     If want,  it will also  spell  the words  for  you  and
     pronounce the words (you record your own voice for word
     you enter).   You can  even use  this program  to teach
     your child to read, one word at a time!

     Requires Windows 3.1 or later version.   By GoWest  and
     Motes Educational Software. ($10)

4.   School-Mom for Windows Volume 3 (Elementary Math)
     You and  your children will really like what we've done
     with this  math program.   You  don't  already  have to
     know  how to  add or  subtract to  start learning  with
     this one.   It has  multiple levels  all the  way up to
     decimals.

     Requires Windows 3.1 or later version.   By GoWest  and
     Motes Educational Software. ($10)

5.   Jurassic Spelling Version 3.0
     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)

6.   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)

7.   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)

8.   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)

9.   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.
     Multiple-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
     multiple-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.

10.  Beat the Bomb (Timed Math Drill Program)
     them  for only $30. 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

11.  ESP (Early Spanish educational program for sound boards)
     Early Spanish is the first bilingual 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)

12.  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 bilingual package.  Requires 512K memory, hard
     drive,   EGA/VGA  graphic and a  SoundBlaster  or  100%
     compatible.  By DareWare, Inc. ($29)

13.  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).

     Like  Talking Spanish this package 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:

14.  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)

15.  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)