The numeracy initiatives continue to inspire developers of software, although some of the recent publications offer little more than could be found in a book. Thankfully the products mentioned here are all a good deal better than that.
Granada is one of the leaders in developing good software for improving numeracy skills. It has recently added two collections of Ten Minute Numeracy Test (from pound;49) to its Ten Minute series. There are over one thousand tests on each disc. Test 1 covers ages 7-9 and Test 2 covers ages 9-11. The graphics are, as usual with Granada, very good. Teachers can target specific topics, and can add their own tests, as well as getting print outs of pupil progress.Granada’s Ten Minute series now includes Fractions, Multiplication and Division and Addition and Subtraction for key stage 2.
As an example, Fractions is based on an ancient Greek theme, with six activities on three levels. Activities include javelin throwing and making jewellery and there are worksheets to print out for use in class or at home. Granada also provides some numeracy activities on its new Internet subscription service, www.primary-zone.com Bounce Back 77 from Economatics (pound;149) is a very well-designed suite of activities intended to complement the Springboard 7 materials - the catch-up programme for those pupils with attainment below the expected level in Year 7. There are useful teacher notes which cover the teaching points well. Homework sheets can be completed and marked on screen or they can be accessed online so that pupils can complete them at home.
John McCormack developed an interesting approach to learning, through his Easy Peasy programs and he has now produced The Multiplication Grid (pound;31.50). This demonstrates well the processes involved in long multiplication by, for example, allowing a pair such as 20 x 40 to be displayed as 2 x 10 by 4 x 10. This could then become 2 x 4 x 10 x 10, giving 8 x 100. A good example of a program which sets out to explain just one topic but does it very well.
Sherston Software has added several programs to its good range. These include Table Aliens 2000 (from pound;35) for key stage 2 and Numeracy Connections (from pound;40) for key stage 1. The former involves pupils becoming agents of a Special Task Force whose duty is to thwart the aliens who are attempting to invade Earth. Great fun, whether used as an adventure or as separate activities. Numeracy Connections comprises two main activities - matching boxes and sequences.
An interesting new website, The Big Bus, is an updated version of the former ArgoSphere site. It is available to schools and homes as a subscription service, and includes times tables activities.
Europress is hoping to profit from the revival of Thunderbirds with its program Thunderbirds - Operation Volcano (pound;24.99). This adventure covers several topics including geography and English as well as maths, and is technically very accomplished, with good use of 3D graphics.
Finally, the Little Monsters Numeracy Packs 1 and 2 (from pound;59.99) for key stage 1 offer collections of four CD-Roms based on the popular BBC characters. Ian Wilson
