In any classroom, keeping learning ideas and work materials fresh and engaging is a challenge. In classrooms with a large proportion of disadvantaged students, learning can be overwhelming, as any teacher knows. Best Practise Network released a set of workbooks, study guides and CD-Roms starring Garfield, the rotund, grinning feline who has made his way into every child's imagination.
It's All About
About themselves, BPN says:
Best Practice Networks believes in continuous learning and that everyone is a lifelong student. While we emphasize our solutions for improving student achievement, we recognize the importance of giving everyone, regardless of life stage, an opportunity to grow.
Their latest product, the Garfield It's All About... series, doesn't belie such a statement. There's quality here - good paper stock, glossy soft covers, crisp printing and colorful illustrations. The CDs contain animations, interactive games and support material to enhance the workbook lessons. There is also a Garfield website with additional worksheets, making the set a strong value in times when teachers find themselves using personal funds to augment classroom materials.
Titles in the Series ($9.95 Each, Includes CD)
- Age 3-5 Letters and Words
- Age 3-5 Numbers and Counting
- Age 4-6 Math Readiness
- Age 4-6 Thinking Skills
- Age 6-7 Spelling and Vocabulary
- Age 6-7 Math
- Age 6-7 Reading and Phonics
There are titles for older students, as well, in 7-8 and 8-9 age groups.
The topics covered are math, grammar, writing, spelling and science. For classroom use, pages can be photocopied and distributed for classroom work. At home, mom and dad can work right in the books with young learners. The books seem perfect for use in home schooling situations since they are easily understood and the CD-Roms are easy-to-load and use.
Activities build on enhanced skills so that each level is challenging, but do-able. The ability to save activities to be resumed at a later time is a convenience teachers and parents can put to good use.
It was difficult to find a negative about this product. Its pricepoint makes the volumes affordable one by one. It isn't a huge investment even to collect all the sets. At two to three sets per grade year, most budgets can probably accommodate the expense.
Features
- "Log in"- for each user - kids can work on their own projects independently
- Save-able activities - come back later
- Short cartoon rewards after each activity - best way to learn
- Under 6 years: Graphic menus and mouse-over audio encouraging independence
- Over 6 years: Text menus - easy to read
- Garfield picture rewards for activity completion
- Achievement certificates for each title completed
- Music accompaniment to learning activities
This writer tested the 3-5 year titles on a precocious 28 month old and found he was able to remain interested for 15 minutes at a time and could complete some simple activities. He enjoyed the pictures, music and stories, but was more interested in coloring the pages than reproducing letters and numbers. He asked for the books on his own after two sessions. More information is available on the Web site about various language editions and features of the sets.
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