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Educational: 4.4
Overall Design: 4.8
Ease of Use: 5.0
(4.0 = good, 4.5 = very
good, 5.0 = excellent)
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Program Description What The Kids Said Who Is This Program For
Why We Selected This Program Computer Requirements
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I Spy School Days is a program that builds language arts skills, reasoning, and problem solving skills through picture challenges and riddles. Players have a choice of attempting to solve any one of a number of traditional I Spy picture riddles, or to attempt one of the new challenges. The traditional riddles are based on various themes (for example: block city, nature, chalkboard) , each of which has numerous variations. I Spy School Days is the newest of the I Spy series.
Among the new challenges, Hoops (see top right) is an interesting test of the player's ability to group and categorize based on different attributes. The hoops serve to make a Venn diagram, where each hoop represents a different attribute that objects share, and where two hoops overlap, objects that share two attributes in common must be placed.
Another example of the new types of challenges included in this I Spy is the Balloon Popper screen (see right), which builds on a player's problem solving skills. Here, the player must observe a series of chain reactions designed to pop a balloon, and determine what pieces are missing. By solving a riddle, the player can determine the nature and location of the missing piece. As with the other screens in this program, Balloon Popper has many variations and levels of difficulty.
A final example of the diversity of games in this program, the Build Your Own I Spy (see right) helps players develop their creativity skills. In this portion of the program, it is possible to create a personalized I Spy screen by selecting from a wide range of objects, pictures, and figures. This range of selection is increased as players complete other portions of the program and earn special treasures to add to their collection. Once the picture is complete, a player can create the word portion of the riddle, and with the use of a microphone, can record an audio track to accompany the riddle.
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"I watched my daughter, who plays with this program for hours on end, and was really impressed with the high quality and rich detail of the images and how easy it was for her to make her away around. A really impressive program." Donna, mother of Catherine, age 7
" Trying to find all the little things is really fun" Catherine, age 7.
I Spy School Days is designed for children aged 5 - 9. However, as with many of the leading educational software programs, its actual range of appeal and applicability is much broader. Speaking from experience, I Spy School Days may be enjoyed by someone of any age who enjoys a good picture riddle and problem solving challenges. It is particularly useful in developing the connection between picture and print and building on children's sight vocabulary.
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It is fun and it is challenging! It builds language arts and problem solving skills. In addition, although it is a relatively simple program to use, and it seems uncomplicated, there is an almost endless amount of variations, so that this game can be enjoyed by the same player for many sessions, without losing its challenging and entertaining aspects. This program does the little things well: the language arts connections are reinforced by creative and fun use of language so that it has auditory appeal. Furthermore, by highlighting portions of the written riddle as they are solved, the connection between print and picture is reinforced, as are word identification skills.
I Spy School Days is a strong program. Although the range of skills it seeks to develop is relatively modest, its approach in doing so has been thoughtfully managed, so as to be creative, challenging, and educationally sound, as well as entertaining. - Kevin Dempsey, teacher and Learning Village reviewer.
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Pricing and Online Ordering
(or call toll free -1-800-250-9229 )
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Windows® Pentium 90 MHz or faster Microsoft® Windows 95, 98,2000 or later, 16 MB RAM, 10 MB hard disk space available, 640 x 480 display with 256 colors, 4X CD-ROM drive, Windows-compatible sound card, Printer and Microphone optional
Macintosh® PowerPC 90 MHz or faster, System 7.5 or later, 16 MB RAM, 10 MB hard disk space available, 640 x 480 display with 256 colors, 4X CD-ROM drive, Printer and Microphone optional
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or to see other thinking and problem solving programmes
Reader Rabbit Thinking Adventures - ages 4-6
Cluefinders Search and Solve Adventures - ages 9 -14
Zoombinis' Logical Journey - ages 9-14
Zoombinis' Island Odyssey - ages 9 -14
Nancy Drew: Stay Tuned For Danger - ages 10/11 - 15
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