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- provide many opportunities for self-correction
- encourage exploration and discovery
- provide positive feedback and encouraging activities
- contain activities with meaningful contexts so that children can relate math to the real world, and discover its usefulness
- develop higher mathematical thinking skills
- emphasize understanding over rote learning.
Math in Disguise
 Logical Journey of the Zoombinis is a classic logical thinking title that belongs in every family's software library. Don't pass this title up because of its odd title.
Though pegged for ages 9 and up, this title can be beneficial to kids in second grade and beyond. Exceptionally innovative activities generally revolve around the variations in physical features of
Zoombinis--cute little creatures that are in great need of some help! In players' attempts to free the Zoombinis from being overtaken by not-so-peaceful beings, they face a number of challenges that require deductive reasoning, careful sorting, and plenty of logical thought to solve.
Zoombinis Mountain Rescue is more challenging, and it deals
with the kind of logical thinking that is used in computer
science. Both titles can be purchased in a bundle: Zoombinis Mini 2 Pack, or
separately: Zoombinis Logical Journey and Zoombinis Mountain Rescue
Well-Rounded Math Titles
Math Missions Grades K-2:
The Race to Spectacle City Arcade is
appropriate for children ages 6-9. Set in a humorous,
cartoon city, this program features innovative activities
that include working with pattern blocks, counting change,
weighing and measuring, sorting, and more. Children strengthen early mathematical thinking
skills in an unusually fun environment. The game rewards
children with the opportunity to play games in an arcade
after they have completed enough activities. Although the
game offers tutorials, correct answers are not provided so
that children may end up guessing if they are clueless--and
this would be an excellent time for parents to step in.
There is no force-feeding of academics in the game, yet it
remains challenging and educationally valuable. This program
is available for purchase here: Math Missions: The Race to Spectacle City Arcade Grades K-2
For children just a little bit older, Reader Rabbit Math Ages 6-9 contains a nice mix of arcade-style and self-paced activities that cover a very broad range of skills. Some drills and many visual math exercises make up this well-rounded, customizable program.
This program was published some years ago, and is now available in an economical
jewelcase version: Reader Rabbit Math Adventure Ages 6-9 (Jewel Case).
This program is now available in a value-added bundle along with 3 other quality
CD-ROMs in: After School Clubhouse 1st & 2nd Grade.
Achieve Math & Science Grades 1-3 (see our
review) is a
bundle of four programs, including two excellent older titles that allow
children to visualize math concepts--and to experiment in a "hands-on"
manner. The approach in these titles is valuable and the content spans a
wonderful range of early math skills, particularly appropriate for children in
first and second grades. This program is available for purchase here: Achieve! Math & Science Grades 1-3
Disney's MathQuest with Aladdin
is an older title, but is not to be missed! Innovative math puzzles are
presented in an exciting mission mode that totally draws kids in and holds their
attention. Children will spend hours with this program, working with symmetry,
tangrams, patterns, and more. Sharp graphics and activities that emphasize how
math concepts can be applied to varying situations combine to create a valuable
and well-crafted edutainment title. The adventure format is particularly
appropriate for children who require extra motivation to spend their
extracurricular time playing a math program. Edutainment at its best! This older
title is currently available in an economical jewelcase version: Disney's Math Quest with Aladdin Ages 6-9
 Math Missions Grades 3-5: The Amazing Arcade
Adventure is
appropriate for children working at a fourth to fifth grade
level. Set in a humorous,
cartoon city, this program features a set of inspired
activities that involve working with weights and measurements, fractions, logic,
graphing, and more. The game rewards
children with the opportunity to own an arcade once they
have reached a set game level. games in an arcade
after they have completed enough activities. Although the
game offers tutorials, correct answers are not provided so
that children may end up guessing if they are clueless--and
this would be an excellent time for parents to step in.
There is no force-feeding of academics in the game, yet it
remains challenging and educationally valuable. This program
is available for purchase here: Math Missions: The Amazing Arcade Adventure Grades 3-5
A Video/DVD that Features
Excellent Opportunities for Understanding Addition and
Subtraction Although we are focusing on math
software in this article, we feel the need to mention LeapFrog:
Math Circus, a video and DVD that demonstrates the
concepts behind both addition and subtraction in an engaging
and meaningful manner. Don't be fooled by the slick and cute
animation—it doesn't mean the learning is over-processed
or any less educational. This is an excellent video
for children ages 4-7.
This video
is available for purchase here: Leap Frog - Math Circus
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