Rating: 
Ages: 9-11 Subject:
Math/Logic Brand:
Scholastic
Review Sections: Product Overview
Entertainment Value Technically
Speaking Design Skills
Covered Replayability
Educational Value Dollar
Value
Product Overview
The kooky Horton Spectacle,
founder of a colorful and once-thriving city, needs help. The city is going
under fast because the shop clerks are having difficulties with math, and the
jealous and conniving Randall Underling is hoping to take the city over!
What players need to do is
travel around the city, helping shop clerks get a handle on math problems. They
ride the subway system, take the ferry, and hop on a bus to get from one area of
the city to the next--after solving math problems, of course! For example,
before boarding the ferry, children solve word problems as they make reference
to the ferry's schedule.
As children succeed at the shop
activities, which include work with fractions, pattern tiles, graphs, and more,
they earn money and boost up their game ranking. After completing enough
activities successfully, they are able to open up their arcade. The program
doesn't end there--kids build their arcade by purchasing arcade games, designing
the arcade, and making smart business decisions. In order to keep the arcade
going, they need to return to the program's activities to earn more money.
Interestingly, the arcade games can be played by children, which is a nice
touch.
The math exercises are useful and creative. As
excellent as the educational content is, however, children don't receive
context-specific help if they are struggling. Nevertheless, time spent on the
game is time well spent. Math Missions is a strong title that is
rewarding and brainy. The program can be played at 3 difficulty levels, each
designed to match grade levels 3, 4, and 5. Difficulty levels adjust
automatically according to a child's performance.
Technically Speaking
Minimum requirements are Windows 95/98/2000/Me/XP, a Pentium
II 266 MHz processor, 64 Mb RAM, 175 MB hard drive, and 8X CD ROM.
Skills Covered
Fractions, money math, logical thinking, pattern tiles,
strategic thinking, graphing, measurements.
Educational Value
The program offers a
nice range of brainy math problems at 3 levels of
difficulty. As children work through the problems, they
simultaneously build their confidence and facility with
numbers and problem solving.
Entertainment Value
The program is spunky and a little kooky. Although math is
not "disguised", our kid testers found the story
line attractive, the characters quirky and fun, and the
game's surprises engaging.
Design
The program's design is intuitive. Some general help with
each activity's specific math exercises is offered through
an "a-pet" device. Although kids select a level of
difficulty at the beginning of the game, the program adjusts
the difficulty in reaction to a child's performance.
Replay
Value
We
are thrilled with the program's content -- children won't
run through the game in one sitting, and the motivational
system is strong and satisfying, keeping kids coming back
for more.
Dollar Value
This title is reasonably priced at $19.95 US.
Math Missions Grades 3-5: The Amazing Arcade
Adventure
Within the context of a
clever adventure story, children build and practice real-world math skills in
this program that offers wonderful and educational rewards for playing.
Released: 2003
Reviewed: December
2003
Math Mission 3-5 With Bonus Card Game (3rd - 5th Grade)
(DVD Box)
You may want to search for this title
at a discount store. Difficult to find software titles can be
purchased at Family Savings Outlet
for substantial savings (all titles are $4.95).
Back to Children's
Educational Software
