By Karen Spiegelman
(8/31/06)
Whether your child is entering kindergarten or grad school this fall, the CNET Download.com library contains software that can help make the most of the school experience. From flash-card programs to homework organizers to scientific calculators, this handy list of our favorite educational programs can help you meet the needs of students in any grade.
Learning assistance is critical at any age, but it's even more so perhaps for youngest students. Reading, math, and science software should give the little ones an educational edge in the years to come.
Spell 1st Home Edition
If your baby genius is heading off to kindergarten or first grade this fall, Spell 1st Home Edition can teach him or her a list of 100 words first-graders are expected to recognize on sight. The soothing atmosphere and cute animals are suited for small tots, but typing the words after they're spoken can challenge even a five- or six-year-old.
Sight Words Buddy
To help your youngster improve his or her vocabulary, the freeware Sight Words Buddy operates as a sort of multiple-choice flash card for first-grade sight words. A female voice reads a word, and your kid picks the word from a group of three possibilities. Check out the publisher's Web site, too; it has plenty of other quizzes online.
Michelle Reading Timer
As your child gets older, you'll want to make sure he or she is reading enough. Michelle Reading Timer counts down a user-specified time period--say, 15 minutes--and then asks the child to enter the number of pages read. The log file lets you check on how quickly and how much your kid reads.
Math Crony
Great reporting tools and a huge number of quizzes set Math Crony apart. The program categorizes addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems by the number of digits so that any children can practice basic math skills. Too bad about the repeated attempts to get you to register.
Math Compass
The levels of difficulty really ramp up in Math Compass, especially for multiplication and division. Logging isn't as convenient as with some programs, but the ability to generate quiz sheets and answer sheets blew us away.
World Geography Games
Children can learn all about the seven continents and four oceans by picking them out on a map of the world. World Geography Games' four levels of difficulty and good reporting tools help them get a grip on the globe.
USA Puzzle
Learn the state capitals, birds, trees, mottos, and other data through quizzes and games. You'll have to register to get past Massachusetts, but the trial should provide enough of a taste to figure out whether you like USA Puzzle.
Science Quiz
Specifically designed for kids in grades three through six, Science Quiz tests knowledge of elementary school science in topics such as human anatomy and simple machines.
