Nintendo+DSL+Pilot


 * Third Grade

We have purchased 10 Nintendo DSL units for center work. We are experimenting on which software is the best. We are looking for educational and motivational software.**

This is my evaluation of it the idea, so far.

I work in centers with a South Side third grade group. I am included in the computer center. We are using the 3 & 4th grade Brain Quest. It is motivational. We only do it for a half an hour but it keeps their attention well. I like to sit with them just to help with the harder questions and to work on reading skills. The reading requirements appear to be around a 3-4 level. About half the students need help with some words while reading. I feel that when I sit with them, I can encourage them to try strategies and not just guess. The questions are moderately challenging. There are questions at a 3rd grade level, 3rd and 4th, and then at a 4th grade level. The subjects include, Math, English, Grab Bag, Geography, History, and Science. They can choose their subject if they use the Brain Mode option. Quest Mode chooses their subjects for them. Althoug, we are using them in centers right now, this would work okay as a whole group activity under the document camera. Maybe something such as, "Let's see if we can get 5 of these before recess."

We also used this in 7th grade and students evaluated the software. Overall, it was a very fun, easy, and successful activity. I asked the kids to jot some notes.
 * Student Reviews:

Spelling Challenges Hoyt-**a quick pace spelling game easy to start words are simple though

ScribNauts A- read manual to play S-Confusing-hard to get Good for learning J-hard to figure out J-hard to figure out H-weird/not too fun

A-the English part is a little advanced Math is mostly easy with a couple of harder problems Geography-medium History-medium Overall-fun D-pretty challenging easy to get around in fun C-It was okay. could be easier ?- I do not like this game. It is not very likely a 7th grader knows the answers to these questions. C-It was fun and easy to use.
 * BrainQuest 5 and 6**

Emily-fun and easy to figure out You learn lots of words an how to spell. Great for learning new and exciting words Kali-easy to figure out Rylee-I really like this game. It was easier to understand than the first game.
 * My Word Coach**


 * Professor Layton and the Curious Village**

Michayla-I don't know if I really liked it. You hardly got to do anything. The characters talked a TON. I mostly had to listen to the characters talk. Haley-You mostly have to solve puzzles, so I liked it. Shelby-Sort of little kids' games but good for learning K'Lee-It was great, keep it. Cassidy-This game is not very fun. You just write letters or match definitions. You don't learn anything. Rylee-I didn't understand how to do it.

Word Fish This game was boring but educational. Carolyn-I don't think it would do as promised, but it might after awhile. It's not so fun to play a long time. H-