Features

• Kids will enjoy Garfield -It's All About Math Readiness -- great number and counting games help children to face math problems
• With Garfield -It's All About Thinking Skills they'll play 15 thinking games to develop matching, pairing and ordering activities
• In Garfield -It's All About Phonics they'll enjoy 15 activities that teach the basics of phonics, vowels and consonants, while promoting memory and concentration
• Ages 4-5

Amazon.com Product Description

Achieve! Math & Science brings four award-winning educational titles in one to your child's desktop. Designed for younger learners, a series of challenging puzzles, brain-boosting problems, and irresistible games explore essential math and science skills. Tackle topics like addition, subtraction, money math, science basics, and more. Featured titles include: Mighty Math: Carnival Countdown, Mighty Math: Zoo Zillions, Sammy's Science House, and Thinkin' Things: FrippleTown. When math and science are made this much fun, little learners achieve at learning. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Wonderful resource for the serious homeschooler!!
We have been proud owners of this package for two years and have used it diligently to supplement skills and concepts introduced throughout the year for first and second grade. It has been a WONDERFUL supplemental resource. Unlike a lot other educational software packages that claim to cover a wide range of ages, this one means it when they say "First through Third grade". It is simple to use: After a concept (example: 2 digit addition) has been introduced to the student, you specifically set up games to reinforce those particular skills. After those skills have been mastered you then go back in (with a simple click of the mouse and check-mark skills you want to reinforce from a large pre-set list) It is honestly very simple to do. Explaining the process actually takes far more time that it does to actually do it. Although the games are very "friendly", with engaging characters and settings, the software is not meant to "entertain" as much as it is to teach. I would not at all be surprised to find this package in a lot of school computer rooms for kids to reinforce their skills on. If you are looking for a true educational software package that would be appropriate for (no younger than)first through third grade, this would be perfect for you and your child.

I would give it ZERO stars if I could!
I completely agree with what everyone else has said. This was a total waste of money. The other reviewer was right when he said the extra software included (for us it was Star Flyers) was the ONLY good thing!

How can they market programs that were designed for 3-5 year olds for Grades 1-3? Its ludicrous!

DO NOT waste your money! The whole thing is unprofessional. There are no guides and even the paper inside the CD looks like it was BADLY photocopied.

Again, if I could give it ZERO stars I would!

This is going back
I was looking for some software to help my fourth grader with math facts, computations, etc. (He's an Everyday Math victim.) The activites, even at the most advanced level, are much too easy for him. Pointing and clicking at different piles of cookies is not division. This is a complete waste.

This is being returned to The Learning Company
I just purchased this today, and it is extremely disappointing. I was looking for a software package that would help my 2nd grader learn his math facts, and this certainly isn't it, as far as I can tell. There is zero documentation included, so there is no way to steer your child towards games that would help his or her weak areas. I couldn't find a game that drilled them on anything, just a lot of pointless point and click activities.

Product is not very good
I got this product for my 5 year old, and it is about right,
any 3-6th grade would not like it at all. The best thing in the game is the free cluefinders monkey adventure in my costco box.
Most of the games look like they were designed for windows 95.

I liked the clips from grammar rock, I remember these as a kid, but you could by the DVD of Schoolhouse rock and get better versions of those. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

JumpStart 2nd Grade from Knowledge Adventure is an expertlydesigned collage of games certain to engage any young child. The characters arethoughtfully drawn and animated, and the games are intriguing--they'reeducational, too, but don't tell your kids!

In the Logs game, children help a gopher cross the river and make his way towardthe correct answer to a math problem--much like the old game Frogger butwith an educational twist. Players also encounter a Save the Universe game(science), a vault that must be unlocked (spelling and vowels), and even a basicmusic-notation game--well over 20 interactive games in all, plus printableactivities. Why should the fun--and learning--stop when the computer shutsdown?

The first of two CD-ROMs is part audio CD, containing 10 sing-and-learn songsthat can be used in any CD player. As parents, we love this feature; it's greatto be able to take the music on the road to reinforce the ideas and factschildren are learning when they play the game.

JumpStart 2nd Grade also features built-in Internet hooks for exchangingmail with other JumpStart users and downloading more adventures. And asan added bonus, the program comes with a 30-minute animated VHS story, "Why Didthe Bus Stop?" While its animation is not the most elaborate, the tape featurescharacters from the game and helps children learn about counting, telling time,and the five senses.

The JumpStart series is popular, and for good reason: the folks atKnowledge Adventure invest a great deal of time and money into their products,and it shows in this worthy member of the series. (Ages 6 to 8) --MikeCaputo ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Excited about Learning
I love ALL Jump Start Learning Activities. I bought the Kindergarten, 1st Grade and 2nd Grade. My son loves these programs also, he can't wait to get started on 3rd Grade. I'm so happy to see my son playing with this educational game and I'm sure any parent would want to see their children excited about learning.

We love it!
We find this 2nd grade Jumpstart to be very fun and entertaining. My daughter (twin #1) loves the log ride (math and vocabulary) and football field math. Daughter #2 likes the bone vault (vocabulary and math) and the classroom where she can do art and vocabulary. We all giggle about some of the silly rhymes. Both also like the record player. They do not like the save the universe game, as it is hard to hear the clues. They give it two thumbs up.

Boring....
I bought this for my six year old son who has thoroughly enjoyed the Reader Rabbit series since they have flexibility built in. This software is so rigid that he lost interest in about 10 minutes and announced that we could give it away.It is not fun.

JumpStart 2nd Grade
This is good game that will prepare your child for the 2nd grade but may not work with Windows XP Home Edition.

Excellent educational tool
My daugter just finished her 1st grade. I needed to give her some challange for the summer, so I bought this softwear. My wife loved it, because now my daughter spend a lot of time on it instead of driving my wife crazy. Plus, my other daughter (she'll be in 1st grade) is learning a lot form her sister by just watching her. My daughter comes to me with some questions (why? / how?) which helps me explain things to her visaully. I also bought Jumpstart woorkbook for both of my daugters and they work great. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

A package of three educational titles. In JumpStart Reading for Kindergartners kids are invited to help Hopsalot the Bunny discover thesecret of the lost carrot-patch treasure. They'll travel around the worldvisiting family and friends, searching for clues to the treasure'swhereabouts. Meet Frankie the Dog in JumpStart Learning GamesNumbers. Frankie loves his dog biscuits. The problem is he has eaten everylast one. Kids help Frankie find more tasty biscuits by blasting asteroids,dueling in the Old West, and searching for buried treasure. The magic andharmony of the Land of Music is threatened by Sir Sour Note in JumpStartLearning Games Music, and the instruments need the user's help. Collectthe sour notes scattered about the land by playing games and learningimportant music skills. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Jump Start Software
Jump Start software is one of the best educational/fun softwares there is for young children. My kids both learned a lot about computers and prep for school from this software. Now I am buying it for our niece. You can't go wrong! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Greetings, space rangers! Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear and theplaythings that inhabit Andy's bedroom will change your definition of"educational toys" as they make light work of some fairly advanced learningmaterial. Andy is gone, and Buzz takes it upon himself to rally the toys forsome teaching and fun. "Are you ready to exercise your romping skills?" he asks,gesturing grandly across the bedroom.

Nine activities provide a full curriculum of early-learning challenges: math(including fractions), music, geography, spelling, reading, and telling time.Disney's designers didn't forget the fun factor, either: kids build theirvocabulary and spelling skills by helping Buzz shine his flashlight around thedark bedroom, looking for items that match the words and images on another toy'sscreen. And for a geography lesson, Buzz helps kids place continents on theglobe.

The music area is a real standout. There's a full four-octave keyboard completewith reverb, and exploration yields click-and-drag cassettes that transform theboard's sounds into anything from a rock concert to a circus tent. Musicallyinclined kids will have hours of fun in this spot alone.

This CD-ROM takes full advantage of the audio and visual possibilitiescomputer-based learning can offer. Listen for background music composed specifically forcertain activities, and watch for the shadows that the precisely renderedcharacters cast. (Ages 5 to 7) --Anne Erickson ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Not a strong effort
I bought this software for my son, he is 4, because the other kindergarden software I had bought was not interesting enough. Some of the games he was simply not old enough, that is not the fault of the software. The games he could do, he finished off very quickly and wanted more than the software provided. There was nothing tracking his progress from session to session so he had to keep doing the same thing over and over. When trying to play the Jessie game he kept accidentally clicking the icon to go back to the main screen. There is no confirmation dialog so he had to go back and repeat what he had just done. He was very frustrated by that. Maybe an older child would not face those problems.

For a younger child we found the Blues Clues 1-2-3 Activities to work much better. The games get incrimentally more challenging and there is a better variety.

I had to call customer support and get a patch to run this on my PC and could not install it at all on my Mac because I had to install it on the boot volume even though I had pleanty of room elsewhere. Over all, I was disappointed. We are all big Toy Story fans here.

Fun and educational
My in-laws bought this game for my 7 yrs. old son. The day he unwrapped and put it into PC, he was on the computer for nearly five hours. We couldn't get him downstairs for lunch. We could hear him laughing the whole time, with his 4 yrs. old brother. My younger one enjoyed play some of the games as well.

The software teachs spelling, math and writing with children's favour charactors. I'd strongly recommend it for boys 6 to 8. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Does your 6-year-old yearn to learn the Hindi word forelephant? Or would she or he rather explore the tried and true settingof a classroom? This two-CD-ROM set from the JumpStart peoplewill satisfy both adventurers and homebodies and help them witheverything from geography to spelling.

In JumpStart 1st Grade, kids get to pal around with Frankie, ahyper yet sincere pooch who would probably be the most popular boy inthe class. Frankie is excited to go on a treasure hunt but first mustgather clues by helping out inside the school. Six activities withinthe schoolhouse earn clues: Cooking up Spelling Soup, cooking in theMeasurement Kitchen, counting funds in Money Madness, engaging in PogoStick Math, reading from the Bookshelf Bonanza, or playing a teacher'sBean Bag Science game. There's also a music room and an art room. Inour tests, the organ with point-and-click keys provided a lot of free-formfun. It also provided a welcome break when the slightly too-longeducational games begin to feel, well, educational.

JumpStart Around the World lets kids travel to far-flung placeslike Brazil and China aboard anything from a train (landmasspermitting) to a blimp (if you have enough money to buy passage). Kidsmust purchase their passage, which is a good lesson in pocketbookeconomics. Each of the four modes of transportation involves a game,and once in a country, kids can chose scrapbook souvenirs ranging frompostcards to fun facts to brief audio language lessons. We thought thebudget and the language lessons were engaging and educational tools.But the brief skimming over each of the 12 destinations got was thecyber equivalent of being trapped on a tour bus. (Ages 5 to 7) --AnneErickson ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Buried Treasure - lots of fun, lots of learning
The Jump Start series is very entertaining. My son started with Jump Start Toddlers when he was three. He has since gone through the Pre-school, Pre-k and Kindergarten. At five he is busy with First Grade and with Second Grade, although Second Grade is still too difficult.

The children are introduced to basic skills, in this case addition, subtraction, fractions, measuring, quantities, telling time, parts of speech, phonics, reading comprehension, basic science, music, art, synonyms and antonyms, counting money. Each skill is learnt with a game, Spelling Soup, Vending Machine, Lost and Found, and Bean Bag Science to name a few of the many activities. Each game is well constructed, has three levels, and the ability to track progress should this be desired.

Typically each Jump Start has a meta-game, in this case, clues for a treasure hunt. The treasure hunt is slick and adds to the enjoyment.

Though we have spent many hours on first grade reading and first grad math, we spent more time on first grade than on both these other activities together. Lots of fun, lots of learning.

Great introduction of new concepts!
This is perfect for 1st graders who want a fun way to practice the new skills they are learning, and it is a nice way to introduce new concepts to younger children.
I bought this program for my son who is just finishing Kindergarten. I was looking for something to prepare him for 1st grade and have been very happy with the many different activities that the software includes. However, I will say that unless your child has been exposed to 1st grade concepts, such as fractions, parts of speech, or counting change, you may want to walk your child through each activity before leaving them to explore the game on their own. My son has found the game easy to navigate, but the activities are a bit challenging given that he has not had prior experience to some of the concepts. This is by far is favorite game and I have seen him make great progress in the few short weeks that we have had this software. My daughter, who is just finishing up her 1st grade year, has had no difficulty at all with this game and enjoys working towards the incentives! Well, worth the money!

A satisfied Customer
I for one spend time with my sister. and ever since she was four,
she spent a lot of time playing with this game. The first time I saw it, I thought: "what a colorful, eyecatching game!"
and when I actually sat down to try it, jumpstart amazed me even more. the fun characters, the talking dog... who could not love this game? the level of difficulty is even adjustable, and it gives the parent a full report on how the player is doing in diffrent areas. so it was great for me to see that I found this game not boring and long but, amusing. even to me. :)
I would definitely suggest YOU, go out and buy this for your child.

Educational and fun!
It's tough finding something for kids to play while not spending a fortune and wasting brain space on senseless games. The Jumpstart series are great because they offer great ways to learn while keeping things simple and fun in a cartoon-like format. The software is easy to install and I found that my 1st grader could easily navigate the program without getting stuck. She sat on it for hours!! I was surprised to see the fun she had with the program and look forward to purchasing further copies. I was surprised that fractions were used, but it was in a kitchen setting where kids could bake cakes, cookies, etc., while being told to add 1/4 cup, 1/2 teaspoon, etc.. I found that interesting and a good way to get into that form of math.

Poor interface
The user interface design of this game is not intuitive. As an adult, I had a hard time figuring out what exactly the program wants you to do. Instructions were confusingly worded and unclear. Not sure all the activities have much educational value. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

In this game, kids apply lessons in language arts, math, history, science, art, and music to rescue 13 lost friends before they turn into monsters. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

My boy actually doesn't really like it.
I've usually been quite pleased with Jumpstart products, but my boy who is usually quite easy to get to go play educational games doesn't like this one. He says it keeps sending him back to the same thing over and over even if he gets a perfect score. I think he would have just liked a little more variety.

Great fun! She forgot she was learning!
I recently bought Jump Start 4th Grade for my daughter. She loved it! It quickly became her favorite computer program. She introduced two friends to the program and they went out and purchased it as well! She prefers this computer game over television, so it was well worth the money. You won't be disappointed! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

This is a package of three educational titles that teach important early-learning skills. In JumpStart Numbers kids play arcade-style gameswith Frankie the Dog as they learn about addition, subtraction, sequences,counting, and more. JumpStart Pre-Kindergarten enablesprekindergarten children to sharpen their abilities with letters, numbers,shapes, and colors. Eight interactive learning games and 10 songs engagechildren's attention while introducing social concepts such as manners,sharing, and safety. In JumpStart ABC's, children join EleanorElephant and friends on a fun-filled train adventure to deduce "who leftthe juice in the caboose?" As kids travel to different locations and playlearning games, they earn clues and use their deductive reasoning skills tosolve the mystery while learning letter recognition, letter sequencing, andletter sounds. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good activities but not well made software
I got this for my 4 year old daughter. Though the pack has 3 CDs it has less games then some of her single CD programs. Also the software is not well made. The complexity levels do not truly make the games more interesting for her. SHe was bored with them quite quickly.

This is a great learning game
I love the Jumpstart Preschool program my son currently has.He has spent a long time "playing" and I know he is also learning.There is a testing part that evaluates what your child knows and sets the difficulty rate accordingly.He loves doing the test as much as the rest.I was so impressed with the first one I purchased, that when asked, I requested Jumpstart programs for my son for Christmas.I know he will love them and so will his twin brother and sister when they get a little bigger.I recommend this product if you are looking for something educational and also fun for your child.

Lots of fun! (And they don't know they're learning...)
Our two year old really likes the activities!Some features are too advanced for him now - but that leaves room to grow.Only one draw back, the CD-ROM's are REQUIRED for the ABC's & Numbers programs.All three are engaging and the characters are great. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Join your favorite learning pals for hours of exciting game play in this fun-filled, three-in-one learning software collection. Adventure Workshop 4th-6th Grade, 4th Edition features three award-winning educational titles for ages eight to 12. Your child will love playing, learning, and just spending time with his or her favorite characters, and you'll love watching your child laugh and learn through colorful and clever activities that build valuable skills in history, geography, algebraic thinking, logical reasoning, science, and language arts.

The software bundle contains Zoombinis Mountain Rescue (where kids will face nine perplexing puzzles with three levels of difficulty to rescue a small band of Zoombinis from a severe storm), Carmen Sandiego's ThinkQuick Challenge (in which kids will outwit Carmen and her cohorts in a series of fast-paced challenges that test knowledge in a variety of subjects), and The Yukon Trail (in which kids will relive the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897, learn the history and geography of Alaska, build problem-solving skills, and meet Jack London and other figures). ... Read more

Reviews (1)

wow
Learn and play with Reader Rabbit,Paddington Bear,and Millie and Bailey with this award-winning compilation.Make learning basic skills a fun adventure with colorful,creative activities that strengthen reading,math,art,music and more. Includes Reader Rabbit. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Can't run software on a computer with 1GB memory
I have the same problem on a computer running Windows 2000 with 1GB memory. The software won't start and gives me the error message "Director Player 6.0 - This program requires at least 3MB of free virtual memory to run". I know there is more than 3MB of free virtual memory on my computer. I tried different virtual memory setting and found that setting virtual memory to 128MB would cause the software to run. It is obvious that the software has mis-calculated the available virtual memory. It interprets virtual memory > 1GB as less than 3MB virtual memory. I have sent email to the technical support at Encore and are waiting for their reply. I share the previous reader's opinion that setting the virtual memory to a lower setting is not an acceptable solution.

However, after I started the program, I like the interface and graphic. The software is better than "Mind Power Math Middle School" from the Learning Company. I also like that it has a game where you can test your skill.

I will write an update after I receive a reply from Encore.

Way around memory problem
Haven't tried this software but had same problem with some other software, the error message: "Director Player 6.0 - This program requires at least 3MB of free virtual memory to run". The only fix is to change your virtual memory settings to something below 500mb or to exactly 4000mb. Of course, I chose 4000mb since I have a large hard drive and almost 1 gig of memory on this pc.

So the full fix is:
From the Windows XP desktop, select the Start button, right-click on the My Computer icon, and select Properties from the resulting menu.

Click on the Advanced tab to bring it forward, and then select the Settings button within the Performance section.

In the Performance Options window, click on the Advanced tab to bring it forward, and then select the Change button in the Virtual Memory section.

Click the Custom size button...
Change the Initial size (MB) setting to 4000
Change the Maximum size (MB) setting to 4000

Select SET to accept the change, which will close the Virtual Memory window. Select OK to close the Performance Options window. And select OK to exit the System Properties window.

$40 + junk = angry customer
This is a faulty and buggy piece of software. It will not run on my PC (XP Home)without me changing my Virtual Memory from 1000 mb to 200 mb...what an absurdity! The developer offers no solution other than to change my VM everytime I want to use their software.

Well, forget it. They're not the only game in town.

It's Great!!
I have the Elementary Advantage, and I'm about to go into Middle School Advantage. I find these programs are excellent. I am a homeschooling parent, and the Elementary Advantage suite have done a great job in assisting me with teaching my child. I've learned a lot myself. My son is about to enter middle school grades, and as I explore the the Middle School Advantage suite, I marvel at how well its put together. I have not run into answers that are wrong as was the claim of one reviewer. But, that does not bother me because you will find wrong answers in educational books written by the best educators. I focus on the how well I am taught the subject. If I can catch the wrong answers then I was taught well. I paid only $24.99 for each suite. I also have a Dell Dimension 4600, and the programs run fine. For all those having a problem running the program. You better get a Dell, Dude! For the money, IT'S GREAT!

Not Recommended
If this program can confuse X and Y intercepts I can only imagine what else may be wrong with it. I just purchased this for my son today, but will be returning it tomorrow. He has a placement test in 2 weeks and I don't want him to blow it because of this faulty software. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Exotic animals disappear. A world-famous scientist vanishes. Something fishy is afoot! Join the ClueFinders on a clue-searching trek into the depths of the rain forest. From reading maps to building bridges, every activity brings kids closer to unraveling this astounding mystery, while mastering essential third grade skills.

Explore 30 interactive games and exercises designed for kids, ages 7 to 9 and older. Build more than 75 key third grade skills in math, language, science, geography, and problem solving. Four levels of difficulty and a variety of tricky challenges keep ClueFinders 3rd Grade Adventures 2002: Mystery of Mathra fun and fresh. Detailed help features guide kids throughout, and built-in progress reports help parents navigate their child's learning fun.

In addition, an all-new for 2002 bonus CD-ROM doubles the mystery and clue-finding fun. In ClueFinders: Mystery Mansion Arcade, our adventurers are lured into a spooky mansion by an ingenious mastermind and his four villainous henchmen. Kids help the ClueFinders escape by choosing the best ClueFinder for each arcade-style hazard. Speed through the Ultimate Deep-Dish Pizza Skate Park, stay cool through the High-Voltage Circuit Zone, and much more. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Clue to Making Learning Fun
I purchased Cluefindes 3rd Grade Adventures about 6 weeks ago, and since have watched my child use it to completion. She has played it 4 times and will probably play it again in the future. In the meantime, she has moved onto the 4th grade game.

Setting up the game is pretty easy, and the directions are clear. Starting up is a cinch as well. You have the options of taking the test drive which is a placement test. It is not as much fun as the actual game, but it is not too boring either and it gets the child started at a challenging level. The first time my child "played" it she started at the beginners level, and finished it in two days. The second time, I set it to level two and it took her a week to complete. The third time I had her do the test drive. This is where the real value came in.

When she started the game on the lowest levels she was basically reviewing what she had learned the previous year, which is a good thing. But, when she played the game after the placement test, she was truly challenged to learn more. I never imagined in a million years that a child would follow me around begging to be taught long division. She could not cross a bridge in the game without being able to divide. So I taught her and she practiced and cemented the skill by playing the game.

As a homeschooler leaning towards self directed learning, I found this game to be invaluable. It gives me the freedom to wait for a child to be ready to learn a skill while at the same time ensuring that such comes quickly through constant challenges. After all, the best time to teach a child a skill is when they want to learn it. This game provided that want for me.

This game does not teach skills your child must know, but provides challenges. The way I use it is to wait for a challenge to be presented, and then teach that child whatever they need to succeed and overcome that challenge.

The only problems I had with this software is that each time the child finished the game, they had to start again with a new member name, it would not let us back into the game as the same person. This did allow me to compare the membernames records to check for progress which was evident.

If you purchase the 2 cdrom version of this game, with the personalized learning center, you will be able to print worksheets according to your childs strengths and weaknesses and to see where the child needs more practice. You will also be able to spot where your child may be gifted.

The personalized learning center disc, however is not formulated to give a child a "grade" based on how well the child did in the program, but to show progress over time. Therefore, If you are a homeschooler and grades are important to you, you will want to "test" the child separately perhaps using the worksheets or making up your own exams.

Great teaching game
We are a homeschooling family. I bought this game along with the fourth grade and fifth grade versions for my nine year old. She sailed through the other two, but found this one challenging. It is great for reinforcing math, introduces chemistry, addresses the pollution problem, history, spelling, vocabulary and reading comprehension. There is a level selection area in which you can choose how hard or easy the game is, but this is also handy for letting parents know where your child may need some help in or where they excel. It has a practice mode where the child can just do the activities without having to play the game. I found this great for reinforcing some of those areas my daughter needed more help in.
Even though my daughter has finished all three games, she still plays these.

Never Too Old To Play!!
It's great I'm 14 going on 15 in a month but I don't care
because that doesn't stop me from having fun. It's the greatest game. I've only played the 3rd and 4th grade one but they're still and always be my favorite software. If you've never played any of these games and you love computer games; buy this then even if you're older then me. Who cares? Just remember HAVE FUN!!! You won't regret it!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. Could you make one for 10th graders or do you already?

Thank You

Cluefinders 6th Grade Adventures
This product provides an excellent source for preparation or reinforcement of what a 6th grader is expected to know. Players are put into a mystery situation where they have to solve clues in order to figure out the answers. Various aspects of the 6th grade curriculum are covered, and the computer adjusts for the skill level of the player, making the games increasingly more challenging. Areas covered include logical thinking, mathematics, science, geography, social science, and language arts. The games are fun, and since they get progressively harder as the student masters a skill, they do not get boring. At times the transition time from one activity to the next can be a bit long, and instructions are repetitive, but this seemed to bother adults more than children; this should not deter the buyer, however, as the positive aspects of this game far outweigh the negatives. Graphics and sound are excellent, and help includes a map and a reference section. Levels can be set manually, or the program can be adjusted to automatically determine when to advance to the next level as a skill is mastered. On the whole this is an excellent product, and a great way to make learning fun. Highly Recommended. Reviewer is a teacher and a librarian.

Cool
This game is fun and VERY educational... I even forgot I was
learning while playing it! The games are fun and have different levels, so if one level is too easy you may make is
harder and more challenging. It explains the mini-game
and how to play. The charactors are click-able and they seem to talk and help you throughout the whole game.
You meet cool alien type things, and in order to survive, you must figure out the answer to the mini-games.
The backround music is pretty cool, but it may get annoying
you can turn off the music, too! before you begin the game, it shows a mini movie of what's happening and it tells about
your mission.I love this game! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great combination of fun and learning!
Both of my children have thoroughly enjoyed the Cluefinder Series, especially this 3rd Grade Edition. I have tried many similar products but have found them to be either to heavy on the education, thereby losing the kids interest, or too heavy on the fun and they don't really learn much. In this product, the children get to work with a small group of kids (whom they may know already from other Cluefinders adventures)as they seek to solve the story/mysteries. I love the way the kids get rewarded for progress during their journey, providing even more incentive to continue. And the best part of all: they really do learn! During dinner one evening, my daughter showed off some of the math skills she had learned quite far in advance of her school classmates. And it wasn't just rote memorization. She had really learned the concepts. My hat is off to The Learning Company!

You're the ClueFinder in this game
The ClueFinders' are four kids who as a team gather clues and solve a mystery. They solve fractions, solve English problems, and many more educational games. It is a fun way of learning, and it is intresting, easy, and awsome. I highly recommend any ClueFinder's game there is, because they teach you and let you have fun at the same time. This product is defienitly worth its' money.

Highly Recommended
Probably most important with any educational software is finding something you're child really likes. My son loves to play this game!

He especially likes playing geography and maps. He loves choosing were in the world to send one of the characters. If he sends the character to the correct place, then he wins a "crypt tile". Crypt tiles are important because they are used to solve the games overall puzzle.

The math section makes doing fractions fun. Cylindrical tubes are aligned on the ocean floor by putting fractions in their proper place. If all the tubes are correct, then a "tube worm" coughs up a "crypt tile."

Navigation in the game is easy. Playing is fun - yet challenging. We recommend this one highly. ... Read more

Features

• 4 complete CD-ROM titles for the price of 1
• Hours and hours of exciting game play and education
• Includes characters both parents and kids love
• Plus Mighty Math sticker sheets free inside
• Fun learning for kids ages 5 to 9

Features

• Develop critical skills in 10 core subject areas
• Teaches writing, spelling, reading, creative thinking, typing, and Spanish
• Also covers fractions, basic math, social studies, and earth science
• Make learning fun and stimulating with engaging interactive tutors
• Comprehensive set of tools to help you succeed in school

Features

• Over 70 challenging activities cover a two-year curriculum for 3rd and 4th grades
• Have fun developing skills in math, grammar, language arts, geography, science, and history
• Learning Buddies technology adjusts the program continuously to the right level of difficulty
• Get report cards, printable activities, Schoolhouse Rock videos, guides, and more
• Real-life learning includes critical thinking, creativity, vocabulary, and logic

Reviews (1)

Well Made Educational CD Rom
This set had all the bases covered. It includes 4 area of study. Math , Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies. Fun and well rounded. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Every day can be a fun-filled learning adventure with the Adventure Workshop Preschool-1st Grade, featuring three award-winning educational titles for ages three to seven. Your child will love playing, learning, and just spending time with his or her favorite characters, and you'll love watching your child laugh and learn through colorful and clever activities that build valuable skills in subjects that include vocabulary, reading comprehension, addition and subtraction, logic, and art. Give your child a ticket to join this fun and exciting learning adventure.

The software bundle contains Little Bear Rainy Day Activities (join Little Bear for an exciting day of indoor fun with over 100 activities designed to strengthen creativity, thinking, and memory skills), Arthur's Computer Adventure (in which Arthur, D.W., and friends lead a hilarious adventure that builds critical reading, math, and logic skills with five learning activities and 13 surprises and puzzles), and Dr. Seuss Kindergarten (covering math to music, spelling to sorting, a full year of early learning skills in that unmistakably fantabulous Seuss style). ... Read more

Reviews (3)

mother of two busy boys
I purchased this package two years ago when my oldest son was almost 4 years old. He seldom played with Little Bear, liked the computer adventure with Arthur, but loved Dr. Seuss. This CD ROM alone has been paid for over and over. The features that are great for the children not only include the 7 areas of play (sequencing, measuring, matching, alphabet, spelling, grouping, and math..... plus other little things to do along the way), but the ability to change the level of difficulty within each area. There are 3 levels of difficulty for each area that allow the child to master a level then challenge themselves to the next level of difficulty. It is easy to move up or down a level during the game.

Follow along with your child so you know what they mean when they tell you they like "the Star Belly Sneeches" or "the Rumble Tub", and "Truffula Fruits" the best. The Dr. Seuss vernacular is another one of those things that makes this game unique.

We own about 15 childrens' CD-Roms and this one is by far the favorite. It is fun for the children while the parents feel like they are actually learning something. Our oldest child is on the verge of out growning it (6 years), but our second child, age 3, is right there to take his place.

Good Programs, Good Value
These are not my four-year-old daughter's favorite programs but she does choose them occasionally from her CD-ROM album. The graphics are not cutting edge crisp but are still good by 2003 standards. Parents should love the Dr. Seuss as it brought back a lot of nostalgia for me. My daughter's first book to read on her own was Green Eggs & Ham so it's fun for her to see Dr. Seuss on computer too. All three games are highly educational and a good value sold together. It seems the "Little Bear" title is much easier than the other two.

Loved the Dr. Seuss game
We have bought several CD packs for our 3 yr old daughter including: Living books: Grandma & Me, Brighter Child: The Muppets, Jumpstart: Numbers, Jumpstart: ABC's, and Jumpstart:Pre-K. Adventure Workshop: Preschool-1st grade seems by far the best. Arthur's Computer Adventure (part of this Adventure Workshop pack)is on par with Just Grandma & Me. Both are interactive stories that our daughter enjoys working with. She particularly likes the cashier section of the story.

Little Bear (also part of the Adventure Workshop pack) is a fun game. Our daughter really likes making cookies and dressing up various characters. But, by far the best, is the Dr. Seuss game. We really like this game because it is very educational. Our daughter really likes this game because she really likes the song and dance of the various Dr. Seuss creatures and the background story the games take place in. Unlike the similar Jumpstart games, the Adventure workshop games are challenging without causing her to feel frustrated if she hasn't mastered the task. Dr. Seuss has really helped our daughter better grasp counting and adding, recognize patterns, and identify letters of the alphabet. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

This program is designed to help children learn to read. Based on the School Zone Start-to-Read! series, this interactive software has two animated stories. "Jog, Frog, Jog" tells how a frog escapes from a big dog. "Nine Men Chase a Hen" is a humorous story about cooperation and friendship. Repeated and rhyming words, audio guidance, and picture clues encourage reading success. Children can get creative with pictures, art, and words in Create-a-Story. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Headquarters alert: Zurg forces are trying to take over a peaceful planet. Buzz Lightyear and kids are called into action. It's a long journey, and refueling will be necessary. Buzz's interplanetary ship requires four different fuels, each with its own color. Kids must make sure Buzz's fuel reserves never run dry, which requires an adventurous journey into Buzz's ship. Along the way, kids have to pass challenges designed to build their second and third grade-level math, reading, and language skills. When fuel is plentiful, kids get to navigate the galaxy and unlock arcade-style games. Friends can play along--that is, until the fuel runs out--then the challengesbegin anew. ... Read more