Maths Games R. The latest publication in Heinemann’s MathsPlus, this pack of games complements Maths Games 1-4 and provides the earliest introduction in the series to maths skills. The games introduce early concepts and can be used to teach basic game-playing skills. Pounds 54.95. Heinemann, Halley Court, Jordan Hill, Oxford OX2 8EJ. Tel: 01865 314028.

Peter Rabbit’s Number Garden. This computer program on number bases its skill-building activities in Beatrix Potter’s world and uses her classic characters. It has four educational games each for four to eight-year-olds, with three levels of difficulty. For Apple Macintosh and PC computers. Pounds 29.99. From computer software stores or Mindscape, Priority House, Charles Avenue, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 9TQ. Tel: 01444 239600.

SCIENCE

Life Processes and Living Things: Tape One: Ants, Beetles, Fungi; Tape Two: Ponds, Spiders, Worms; Tape Three: Slugs, Bogs and Streams, Estuaries; Tape Four: Grasshoppers, Moths, Rivers and Lakes. Originally shown on Channel 4 in l985 and ‘87, these programmes on video for key stages 1 and 2, are family dramas starring Alison Steadman, interwoven with microscopic filming of nature. Teachers’ notes are included. Pounds 14 each; Pounds 39 for the set. Praxis Films, 8 Clifton Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 3HP. Tel: 01273 380943.

CROSS-CURRICULAR

Steel and the Motorcar: secondary and primary packs. Mainly for science, technology and maths, these aim to give children a chance to work with real applications. Themes include the development of the motor car, the role of steel and other materials, safety systems, recycling, data manipulation and control systems. Teachers’ guides, wall-charts and work-cards are included. Primary pack Pounds 8.50; secondary Pounds 11. British Steel Education Service, PO Box 10, Wetherby LS23 7EL. Tel: 01937 840243.

IT in Aircraft Control. Produced by the Royal Air Force for key stage 4 pupils, this pack aims to provide an impression of the work of air traffic controllers and fighter controllers (who maintain air defence cover over “sensitive airspace” - for example, safe havens for Kurds in Iraq). It includes a video, worksheets and a software simulation. For IBM and Apple Mac computers. One free copy to secondary schools on request. E and Y, PO Box 934, Poole, Dorset BH17 7BR. Tel: 01202 660275.

HISTORY

Early Victorians. Based on Channel 4‘s series, How We Used to Live, this CD-Rom for primary schools provides a database on the Victorian period (circa 1845). Video material, animations, text, stills and audio bring to life themes including trade and industry, transport, work, domestic life, leisure and education. Pounds 69.99. Yorkshire International Thomson Multimedia Ltd, The Television Centre, Leeds LS3 1JS. Tel: 0113 243 8283.

GEOGRAPHY

The Violent Earth. Volcanoes, earthquakes, floods and storms are the subject of this CD-RomOM which explores how, when, where and why these phenomena occur and how people are affected by them. Animations, documentary film, interactive maps, photographs and sounds are included. Pounds 59.95. Wayland Multimedia. Tel: 01273 722561 PSE

Forming a Drugs Policy. Following from the DFEE’s circular 495 - Drug Prevention and Schools - this file of materials is designed to be used as a guidance, training, working or review document. Topics include reviewing existing practice; working with staff and working with young people. Activity sheets are included. Pounds 50. Daniels, 38 Cambridge Place, Cambridge CB2 1NS. Tel: 01223 467144.

MODERN LANGUAGES

Ruslan - Russian 1. This Russian course for adults and teenagers includes a book, recordings on cassette or CD, and a computer program containing 130 textual exercises. Coursebook Pounds 9.80; cassette Pounds 8.80; CD Pounds 9.95. Computer exercises for IBM PCs Pounds 12 (single-user student licence; higher rates for institutions and networks). Ruslan, 19 Highfield Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 9HL. Tel: 0121 449 1578.