WebJunction - Children

Parents' Guide to Children's Software

The table below describes the children's programs on the Gates Public Access Computers. To introduce a child to the computers, select a program appropriate for their age. All the programs require children to use the mouse, so be sure to show them how to move the mouse and use the left mouse button to click objects on the screen. If necessary, please ask for assistance using the mouse or use the Mouse Tutorial program. All the programs also require headphones. For more information about these and all other programs on the computers, see the Computer User's Desk Reference.

Software Title		Description	Ages (Grades)	Educational Content	Math	Reading	Story	Language Options
	Arthur's Brainteasers	Fun, logic, math, and reading activities and games. These programs feature a range of difficulty levels, allowing children to succeed and encouraging them to seek further challenges.	4 and up (P,K,1,2,3)	elementary logic, general knowledge	X
	Arthur's Math Carnival		4 and up (P,K,1,2,3)	elementary math, general knowledge	X
	Arthur's Reading Roundup		4 and up (P,K,1,2,3)	elementary reading, writing, spelling, general knowledge		X	X
	Barney Goes to the Circus	A variety of learning activities for young children, featuring many familiar faces from the Barney television program.	2 to 6 (T,P,K)	counting, matching, identifying animals, colors and letters	X	X
	Fun on the Farm with Barney		2 to 6 (T,P,K)	counting, matching, identifying animals, food groups, seasons	X	X
	Barney Under the Sea		2 to 6 (T,P,K)	counting, matching, identifying animals, identifying body parts	X	X
	The Cat in the Hat	Interactive, multimedia versions of the Dr. Seuss stories.	3 to 7 (P,K,1,2)	reading/language: word recognition, reading stories		X	X
	Green Eggs and Ham		3 to 7 (P,K,1,2)	reading/language: rhyming, initial consonants, matching colors		X	X

Children's Software Title		Description	Ages (Grades)	Educational Content	Math	Reading	Story	Language Options
	Just Grandma and Me	Interactive, multimedia stories including opportunities for practice, activities, and games. Children can choose to have stories read or to play on the play pages. These programs are good choices for first-time computer users, as the story options are entertaining and easy to use.	3 to 8 (P,K,1,2,3)	reading		X	X	Spanish, French, German
	Stellaluna		6 to 10 (K,1,2,3,4)	reading, bat characteristics		X	X
	Koi and the Kola Nuts		6 to 10 (K,1,2,3,4)	reading, African village life		X	X
	How the Leopard Got His Spots		6 to 10 (K,1,2,3,4)	reading, history of South Africa, animal adaptations	X	X	X
	Paul Bunyan		6 to 10 (K,1,2,3,4)	reading, forest conservation		X	X
	Magic School Bus Dinosaurs	More complicated programs with greater emphasis on educational content. This series combines documentary-style information with activities, games, and animation. Intricate and engaging, these programs are still easy to use.	6 to 12 (1,2,3,4,5,6)	science: dinosaurs, archeology, earth science
	Magic School Bus Inside the Earth		6 to 12 (1,2,3,4,5,6)	science: geology, erosion, scientific method
	Magic School Bus Rainforest		6 to 12 (1,2,3,4,5,6)	science: ecology of the rainforest, problem solving

Children's Software Title		Description	Ages (Grades)	Educational Content	Math	Reading	Story	Language Options
	Big Science Ideas System	Complicated program with emphasis on system interactions. On screen notebook allows students to write questions and record observations.	9 to 14 (4,5,6,7,8)	science: general definitions of systems and system interactions of three simulated systems: pond, underground and bathroom.
	Success Builder Algebra I	These instructional programs are divided into 12 chapters, contain over 50 in-depth topics, and offer more than 500 multiple-choice practice problems.	12 and up (6 and up)	algebra: graphing, ratios, coordinates, operations	X
	Success Builder Geometry		12 and up (6 and up)	geometry: shapes, diagrams, proofs, theorems, etc.	X

To close any children's program, press alt + f4 on the keyboard.Guide to Print Options for Children's Software

The table below describes the print options included in the children's programs on the Gates Public Access Computers. Printing problems can arise when using children's software. For more information about these and other programs on the computers, see the Computer User's Desk Reference.

Children's Software Title		Activity	Description of Print Options
	Arthur's Brainteasers	Where's My Mummy	Children can print a copy of the pyramid maze using the print icon.
	Arthur's Math Carnival	Sweets and Treats Stand	Children can print a copy of DW's lemonade stand using the print icon.
	Arthur's Reading Roundup	Silly Stories	Children can print a copy of the silly stories they create using the print icon.
	Just Grandma and Me	Read to Me and Let Me Play Play in the Sand	When you move the mouse over the bottom of the screen you see a menu bar that contains a print icon. In Play in the Sand, children can print a picture of the sand castles they build using the print icon.
	Magic School Bus Dinosaurs	Driver's License	Children can change the features of the face and hair to personalize the license. Children will frequently change and print a variety of different licenses.
	Magic School Bus Inside the Earth	Rock Hound License	Children can change the features of the face and hair to personalize the license. Children will frequently change and print a variety of different licenses.
	Magic School Bus Rainforest	D-Vine Driver's License	Children can change the features of the face and hair to personalize the license. Children will frequently change and print a variety of different licenses.
	Big Science Ideas	Notebook	Children can write questions, record observations and answers to questions. Children can paste pictures into their notebook page and print the page using the print icon.