Children's Software Review : Phonics Grades 2-3

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Children's Software Review : Phonics Grades 2-3

Phonics Grades 2-3 includes a CD-ROM featuring "electronic workbook" pages that focus on developing phonics skills, as well as a printed School Zone workbook of the same name. A nice variety of exercises are featured in the CD-ROM's 30 workbook pages. As each page is completed, fish icons on the lower screen light up: green if the page is completed error-free, or red if the page contains errors and needs correcting.

The format is wonderful: children work through workbook-style pages on-screen, step by step. Each page is graded as soon as it is completed, so that kids get immediate feedback. Children are encouraged throughout the program, but the title virtually insists that kids go back to the pages with errors so that they can correct them! This format mirrors the type of learning that is encountered in school.

Phonics Grades 2-3 Screenshot Children are rewarded with arcade-style games after completing a few electronic workbook pages. The graphics are bright and expressive, both in the games and on the workbook pages.

Kids complete word puzzles (such as word searches, pictured at right), fill in blanks, work with such phonics concepts as contractions and plural endings, and more.

The program is designed around second and third grade curriculum, and is happily age-appropriate.

The learning featured in this program is neither extensive or deep, but Phonics Grades 2-3 offers some fun and valuable skills practice. Our testers turn to the SchoolZone workbook CD-ROMs time and time again. Excellent!

Highly recommended.

Rating: A-

More Screenshots:

Phonics Grades 2-3