CasieArellanoSoftware+Evaluation

SuccessMaker 1. SuccessMaker is an independent practice program. It can be used for independent practice in math and in reading. This program is a program that allows your student work at their own pace. If your child is not on grade level they can work on a grade level lower than what they are in. It is also broken into 9 months. A student may be in the 3rd grade but they could be working at a 3.3 level which means third grade third month. This program can be used for students all the way up to 8th grade. This program falls under tutorial. I use this program in my classroom everyday and I use it as a center. The students work at their own pace and it is all on their own. I have 5 students at a time go onto the computers which there are 4 other centers going on. Students will do a math session during math centers and a reading session during reading centers. The reading and the math sessions always have different types of activities that fall under your curriculum and give the students extra practice. The strengths of the program is they are not teaching a student the concept instead they are just practicing the problems. Also, there are awesome reports that you are able to run. For example when you run an individual report on a student it will show the areas that they student have mastered and the areas that the student have weakness in. The only weakness of the program is if students. This software can be purchased at [|www.pearsonschool.com]. The software for our state cost $1,100 per license. It is compatible with Windows 2000/XP/Vista and Mac.

2. Knowledge Adventure: Grammar for the Real World

This program is to help students with grammar and writing skills. Students gradually work up a ladder when working on grammar and writing. The grade levels for this program are 4th – 12th grade. This software program falls under tutorial. I would love to use this program for my 5th grade students who are struggling in writing and grammar to not teach the students but to reinforce what we are learning, so that when students go back to writing and grammar into the classroom they are able to be a little more independent. The strengths of this program is there is an online grammar book that helps them with their writing. The cost of this program is $80.00 for 2 users and $175.00 for 5 users. This program can be purchased on the internet through [|http://www.swexpress.com/item/B046542A89BBF0FE85 2573E500549A8D!opendocument&Title=Grammar-for-the-Real-World-]. The system requirements are Macintosh: PowerMac G3 or better, 8.6, 9.2.1, OSX Classic Mode only, 233 MHz or faster, 16 MB RAM, 640X480 Resolution; 256-color, 16x CD-ROM. Windows: 98/ME/2000, Pentium 233 MHz or faster, 16 MB RAM; 250 MB HD, 12x CD-ROM; 256-color, Windows compatible sound card.

3. Mighty Math Calculating Game

This program is to help students with math skills. This math program relates the subjects of multiplication, division, number line concepts, 3D solids and their properties and money transactions. This software product falls under tutorial. I would use this program in my fifth grade class as a center when teaching the math concepts that it reinforces. I think that it would be great to also go to the computer lab and maybe do whole class activities on this program. This program adjusts to your students levels and there is also a two player option where students can play against each other. The cost of the program is $29.99 and can be found at []. The good thing about this program is all you need to run the program is windows.

4. Brain Quest

The next program I like to look at is Brain Quest. It is directed for 3rd -5th grade and there are 6 fast paced different subjects to choose from. This software has over 500 questions on different subjects to help enhance student learning. I believe when using this product it is more of a simulation product. I would use this product everyday on the SmartBoard in my 5th grade classroom to have a few warm up activities. I think this would be a great way to wake students up and get their brains moving. The cost of this program is $9.95 and can be purchased at []. PC: Windows 95/98, Pentium processor, 10 MB hard drive space, 16 MB RAM, SVGA monitor 640 x 480, 256 color display, Quad-speed or faster CD-ROM. Mac**:** System 7.5 or higher, Power Macintosh or faster cpu, 10 MB hard drive space, 16 MB RAM, SVGA monitor 640 x 480, 256 color display, Quad-speed or faster CD-ROM.

5. DK I Love

This is a program to help support students spelling. This program is for grades 1st – 5th and adjust according to your students needs. This program will add words to your students list that the constantly misspell so that they have more practice. I believe this program is for simulation, drill and practice, and an instructional game. I would integrate this program by having students for 15 minutes of everyday go on the program on the computers in my 5th grade classroom, during their writing time, and do a quick 15 minute session to help with spelling. I believe this would help with their writing to improve spelling which a very hard subject for a lot of students. The cost of this program is $19.99 and you can get it at [|http://www.planetcdrom.com]. The system requirements are Windows: Pentium 75 MHz; 8 MB RAM; 5 MB free hard disk space; 2X CD-ROM drive; 640 x 480 display, 256 colors; 16-bit sound card (will not run without a sound card); Speakers or headphones. Macintosh: OS 7.0-9.2, X Classic Mode; 25 MHz or faster; 8 MB RAM; 14 MB free hard disk space; 640 x 480 display, 256 colors; 2X CD-ROM drive; 16-bit audio; Speakers or headphones.