Blue Ribbon Technology January, 2004
By Linda Lindroth

For many schools, the 100th day of school comes in January. This month's product reviews use computers to reveal new ways to practice math skills students need to succeed in high-stakes testing this spring.

Table Road
Granada Learning has another winner! Table Road reinforces multiplication tables up to 12 x 12 for grades 3-5. The menu is a city street with colorful shop-owner characters. Students must use the multiplication tables to help the characters solve math problems as they do business in the shops. A help button uses auditory and written directions and "Number Facts" is a tutorial on the multiplication tables with slides that help kids learn math facts and clues for ways to remember them, including patterns in the multiplication tables. The print option makes it easy to use the clues as a study guide.

Table Road by Granada Learning takes multiplication table drill and practice and adds fun.

Six games help reinforce learning the multiplication tables. In "Foxy's Photos," students develop photos by clicking the correct number on a table of 100 photo negatives. In "LittleWing's Fliers," students help make posters for a concert by filling in missing numbers. "Axel Repair" uses multiplication and division word problems to collect parts for building a go-cart. "Roach's Records" gives students an on-screen calculator to build soundtrack records when they multiply tracks by minutes per track. "Betty's Quickfire Quiz" is a timed test using word problems.

The administration tool lets the teacher set options and assign which tables students will work on. The cd also contains activity sheets in pdf format for additional practice.

Call 44-(0)-161-827-2887 or visit www.software.granada-learning.com for more information. Windows only; $49.

Math Essentials:Addition and Subtraction
The Sunburst Math Essentials series provides step-by-step instruction for basic math concepts in a play-and-practice game format for grades 2-5. Math Essentials: Addition and Subtraction offers six levels of difficulty, with problems ranging from two-digit numbers with no borrowing to multi-digit numbers with decimals and carrying.

While not a new product – the series was published in 2002 – this one is worth revisiting for motivating help with basic math in a fun environment. The prehistoric setting follows Tagna and members of her clan as they use three games to explore math computation. In "Boars of Noi-Han," students solve addition and subtraction problems with the help of five boars. "The Beach Game" uses logic and a grid of shells to challenge students to solve problems and activate animated creatures. "Animal Voices" ties math and language arts together with an introduction to word problems that students set up and solve. Each game offers help and problem-specific hints. Students can show all their work and see highlighted cells that provide a step-by-step guide.

I like the password-protected teacher management this software series offers. Teachers can set the game mode for "practice" or "adventure," set the skill level and assign specific operations that will target skills being taught in the curriculum. There's even a time limit option, a "Print Test" function and take-home practice problems. If you have older students, there's a Math Essentials program for them, too. The prehistoric mathematic adventures continue in Math Essentials: Multiplication and Division for grades 4-6.

Visit www.sunburst.com or call 877-586-7123 for more information. Mac/ Win $89.95; Lab 10-pack, $99.95.

GeoSafari Phonics Pad
Educational Insights is at it again. This time, they're offering an extensive interactive phonics program for children ages three and up. The Phonics Pad program comes with a touch-sensitive learning station and 128 talking, interactive lesson cards. Each lesson card has a follow-up quiz and written assessment.

The sturdy, kid-friendly Phonics Pad learning station.

Phonics Pad engages students in active learning as they progress from reading readiness to phonics mastery. Each sequential lesson can also stand on its own to introduce or reinforce reading skills. The six units cover reading readiness, consonants, short vowels, long vowels, blends and digraphs and advanced phonics.

The durable learning station is designed to be student-friendly. Each of the lesson cards slides into the desktop and the "Go" and "Next" buttons make it easy for kids to navigate. The "Repeat" button lets students listen to directions, hints and feedback as many times as they need to. There's also a teacher's guide that summarizes each of the lessons and suggests extension activities. Almost every lesson has a written pre/post test for assessment.

For more information about Phonics Pad, visit www.edin.com or call 800-995-4436. $149.

Linda K. Lindroth is Technology Editor and Web Coordinator for Teaching Pre K-8. She is also a Technology Resource Teacher in a K-5 computer lab in Lexington, KY.

January, 2004 Volume 34, Number 4.