Chess Mates: A delightful, fun program that teachers students chess. This program provides step by step instructions and over 100 puzzles to teach basic moves and advanced strategies in addition to having various playing levels. I use this program with all of my 4th grade students. This program can be used by younger students as well as high school students who want to learn how to play chess.

Where in the USA is Carmen San Diego: A classic game and still one of the best at teaching children about the geography of the USA. The other games in the series are also excellent.

Amazing Writing Machine: This program provides reluctant writers with motivation to write a little more willingly. It provides help with brainstorming ideas, story starters, and writing poems. It includes Kid Pix painting and graphics they can add to their stories.

Storybook Weaver Deluxe: This program is very similar to the Amazing Writing Machine. By providing story starters, pictures, backgrounds, sounds, etc. it gives many students the motivation to do a little more writing. This program was used by the 1st grade teacher at my school and she loved it. It does take a little more time to learn how to use in the beginning than many programs but overall she was very pleased with it.

How Do You Spell Adventure? This is a fun program that combines arcade type action with spelling, vocabulary, and reading. I had two students use this program regularly last year, a struggling reader and an ESL student, and both students made significant gains with their language skills.

Cross Country USA: This delightful program teaches children the location of the states and the products that come from each state. The student assumes the roll of a driver of an 18-wheel truck and must deliver products to various states. My fourth graders enjoyed this game and it also proved to be a hit with the third grade class.

Grammar for the Real World: My children raved over this program. The student works at a studio and is assigned various jobs that require that application of grammar skills in an entertaining way. It includes an easy to use grammar reference and the difficulty levels adjust to match the abilities of the students.