If you teach foundation, or key stage 1 or 2, then Sherston Software has some truly motivating ways of covering most modelling aspects of ICT in the National Curriculum.
For those familiar with Tizzy’s First Tools, Tizzy’s Busy Week is a must. Tizzy has just moved into a lovely new house, but it’s in a bit of a mess. The children must use the computer mouse to lend a hand and help Tizzy tidy it up. While helping Tizzy to organise her home, children should develop and extend their basic computer knowledge and mouse control skills and have fun in the process. It comprises seven focused activities, encouraging progressive development of mouse control skills. There’s an animated help feature within each activity and an animated ‘introduction to computers’ feature.
The software offers full narration throughout as well. As usual with Sherston’s software, there are a number of useful teacher options. Tizzy’s Busy Week is a really lovely starter for children working towards independent computer use. Tizzy’s Busy Week, PC-only £24.95 ñ three-user licence: £37.43 (available on free approval for 28 days)
At key stage 1, Charlie Chimp’s Big Modelling Party is multimedia program for developing modelling and problem-solving skills. It includes seven different modelling activities that can be tackled in isolation, or followed in sequence in an involving adventure scenario. Each activity has three difficulty levels to enable differentiation and progression. Party activities are designed to introduce and develop ordering, decision-making and classification skills within a modelling situation. The activities can be used to focus closely on specific skills, or could be part of a Caribbean adventure. Simple Logo, problem solving, classification and changing variables are each covered. The whole program promotes modelling and problem-solving skills, while individual activities also develop spatial awareness, ordering, decision-making, and classifying. The Simple Logo activity is truly delightful. Charlie Chimp’s Big Modelling Party, PC and Mac, £49.95, 3-User: £74.93 (free approval for 28 days).
Professor Roberts’ ICT Problem Solving Kit is brand new and offers a multimedia resource that contains three highly interactive computer programs and a comprehensive workbook of teaching ideas and photocopiable pupil worksheets. It is designed to facilitate the use of the programs and the development of problem-solving strategies in the classroom. Simple to use as well as powerful and flexible, Professor Roberts’ ICT Problem Solving Kit is suitable for pupils of all abilities. The three scenarios comprise: ControlIT; over 25 engaging spatial and control scenarios; SolveIT; over 380 graded and engaging tangram problems; ProgramIT; a flexible and powerful visual programming tool.
Completing the package is a comprehensive workbook containing photocopiable teacher and pupil resources. The whole package is ideal for a dip-into or developmental approach. Professor Roberts’ ICT Problem Solving Kit, PC and Mac £59.95, Three-user: £89.93 (free approval for 28 days).
Sherston Software,
Angel House,
Sherston,
Malmesbury,
Wiltshire
SN16 0LH
Tel: 01666 843200
www.sherston.com
sales@sherston.co.uk
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