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Integrating Educational
Software
Language Arts Grades 4-12 |
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Integrating Educational
Software
Language Arts Grades 4-12 |
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Click on a featured software title, or scroll down through all the reviews. |
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| Publisher: ClearVue | ||||||||||||
| Grades: 7 - 12 | ||||||||||||
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM | ||||||||||||
| NH Frameworks: Language Arts Std. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 | ||||||||||||
| Description:
This series of six CD-ROMs helps to increase your students'
skills in writing about literary classics. Each CD-ROM includes a word
processor, extensive database of quotations for each title and numerous
pre-reading, pre-writing and writing activities. All titles feature such
activities as finding a topic, stating a thesis, using quotations in
papers, the complete writing process, and writing about themes and
characters. Additional activities are included depending on the
particular title (such as using contrasts).
The 6 CD-ROMs cover the following classics (the novels themselves are not included): Shakespeare--A Midsummer Night's Dream, Julius Caesar, Othello, Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet and Macbeth British Literature--The Mayor of Casterbridge, Robinson Crusoe, Hard Times, Vanity Fair, Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice The American Character--Billy Budd, The Awakening, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Scarlet Letter, The Jungle and Walden American Literature--The Crucible, Little Women, The Red Badge of Courage, Walden, The Grapes of Wrath and The Scarlet Letter The Nature of Evil--Frankenstein, Heart of Darkness, The Turn of the Screw, Jane Eyre, A Tale of Two Cities, Oedipus Rex The 20th Century--The Women of Brewster Place, Sister Carrie, The Jungle and The Grapes of Wrath |
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| Integration: | ||||||||||||
| Best used by individual students | ||||||||||||
| Single or multiple computer environment | ||||||||||||
| Best used to supplement literature unit | ||||||||||||
| Brief guide includes complete functionality of the word processor and activities imbedded within. | ||||||||||||
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| Title:
N. C. Wyeth's Illustrated
Classics |
| Publisher: ClearVue |
| Grades: 4-9 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Language Arts Std. 1, 4, 5 |
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Description: This series of four multimedia presentations exposes students to the lives and works of N. C. Wyeth, Robert Louis Stevenson, Marjorie Rawlings and Daniel Defoe while improving writing skills and teaching different writing styles. "Treasure Island" teaches students about sensory/descriptive modes of writing. By exploring "The Yearling", students learn about practical/informative writing. The analytical/expository style is demonstrated within "Robinson Crusoe". "Kidnapped" portrays imaginative/narrative writing. Each CD-ROM includes complete text, feature presentations with Wyeth's illustrations, questions, quizzes, glossary, dictionary and encyclopedia. |
| Integration: |
| Can be used by individuals or the entire class (projection device needed) |
| Single or multiple computer environment |
| Best used as enrichment or to supplement literature unit |
| Brief teacher guide includes ideas on using CD with entire
class or with individual students, including a treasure hunt to
familiarize students with features of program.
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| Title: The
Print Shop Premier Edition |
| Publisher: Broderbund |
| Grades: 3-12 |
| Platform: Win CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Language Arts Std. 2, 6, 7 |
| Description:
The Print Shop is both a productivity and publishing tool for
teachers and students. This updated version lets you create cards,
signs, pamphlets, banners, letterhead, envelopes, 3M Post-it notes,
calendars, certificates, postcards, labels, and online greetings.
Tutorials, quick start layouts and design wizards are available or
create projects from scratch.
More than 22,000 graphics and photos are included along with support for scanners and digital cameras. |
| Integration: |
| Can be used by individuals or pairs/small groups |
| Multiple computer environment (lab) needed if students are all to work on a project at the same time, otherwise use one or more computers as an activity center |
| Teacher guide covers all capabilities of program along with 55 lesson plans that span multiple grade levels and curriculum areas. Additional CD-ROM contains sample documents tailored to the classroom activities in the teacher guide. |
| Title: Reading
Galaxy |
| Publisher: Broderbund |
| Grades: 4-8 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Language Arts Std. 1, 4 |
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Description: This software program challenges students to develop reading comprehension skills by competing with a panel of interstellar guest celebrities. Students read and/or listen to passages from contemporary Newbery Award-winning books and favorite children's classics. The passages include synopses, actual excerpts and biographical facts about the authors. Over 400 reading passages from 30 books are included, covering a wide range of genres, reading interests and abilities. Five game show format activities test students' ability to recall detailed information from text passages. |
| Integration: |
| Best used by individual students |
| Multiple computer environment preferred |
| Curriculum reinforcement or supplement |
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Teachers guide includes instructions for all activities, blacklines, 13 cross-curricular lessons and numerous resources for research. A supplemental book is also included entitled "Grand Conversations" to assist in implementing literature-based reading groups in the classroom. |
| Title: Science
Fiction and Fantasy |
| Publisher: ClearVue |
| Grades: 7-12 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Language Arts Std. 1, 4, 5 |
| Description:
This interactive encyclopedia explores the fantastic worlds of
science fiction and fantasy. Recognize that unlike fantasy, science
fiction is based on solid scientific knowledge and conjecture. Learn how
authors from decades ago predicted futures that eerily represent our
present time. Encounter such literary greats as Orwell, Asimov, Huxley,
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Poe, Vonnegut, H. G. Wells and more.
CD-ROM includes feature presentations, questions, quizzes, glossary, dictionary and encyclopedia. |
| Integration: |
| Can be used by individuals or the entire class (projection device needed) |
| Single or multiple computer environment |
| Best used as enrichment or to supplement literature unit on science fiction |
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Brief teacher guide includes ideas on using CD with entire class or with individual students, including a treasure hunt to familiarize students with features of program. |
| Title: Write
On! Plus: Literature Studies I & II |
| Publisher: Sunburst |
| Grades: 6-9 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Language Arts Std. 1, 2, 4, 6 |
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Description: The "Write On! Plus" series of software uses the power of the word processor to enable students to pre-write, write and revise/edit letters, stories, poetry, journals and essays while practicing grammar, sentence structure and paragraph development skills. "Literature Studies I" and "Literature Studies II" specifically focus on exploring plot, theme, character, setting, polarity, conflict, author's point of view and historical perspective. The following literature classics are covered: Studies I-- Island of the Blue Dolphins, Tuck Everlasting, Where the Red Fern Grows, Call of the Wild and Julie of the Wolves; Studies II-- Indian in the Cupboard, Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, The Outsiders, Bridge to Terabithia, The Pearl, and the writings of Mark Twain. Important: a word processor is required. The following are acceptable: Claris Works, Microsoft Works, Microsoft Word, Word Perfect and MediaWeaver. |
| Integration: |
| Best used by individual students |
| Multiple computer environment |
| Best used as followup to any of the above listed literature classics--strongly promotes interpretation and writing skills. |
| Extensive teacher guide includes 95 (Studies I) or 104 (Studies II) student lesson activity files (used with word processor), handouts, complete instructions including class organization/management and evaluation suggestions. |
| Title: Write
On! Plus: Responding to Great Literature |
| Publisher: Sunburst |
| Grades: 9-12 |
| Platform: Win/Mac hybrid CD-ROM |
| NH Frameworks: Language Arts Std. 1, 2, 4, 6 |
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Description: The "Write On! Plus" series of software uses the power of the word processor to enable students to pre-write, write and revise/edit letters, stories, poetry, journals and essays while practicing grammar, sentence structure and paragraph development skills. "Responding to Great Literature" specifically focuses on literal and figurative language, comparison, interpretation, conflict and resolution. The following literature classics are covered: selected poems of Emily Dickinson, Moby Dick, Of Mice and Men, Old Man & the Sea, Romeo & Juliet, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, The Scarlet Letter (the complete novels, plays, etc. are not included). Important: a word processor is required. The following are acceptable: Claris Works, Microsoft Works, Microsoft Word, Word Perfect and MediaWeaver. |
| Integration: |
| Best used by individual students |
| Multiple computer environment |
| Best used as followup to any of the above listed literature classics--strongly promotes interpretation and writing skills. |
| Extensive teacher guide includes 92 student lesson activity files (used with word processor), handouts, complete instructions including class organization/management and evaluation suggestions. |