Developing Skills

Spelling

Software that focuses on developing or strengthening specific skills used in writing, including spelling, is also available.

Simon Spells (Don Johnson, Inc.)
Friendly tutors guide student in grades 1-3 through spelling activities.

Spelling Rules (Optimum Resources)
Students work with appropriate level words that follow common spelling patterns, as well as exceptions to the rules. The program allows students to improve their ability to spell correctly and accurately. The program is designed for use in grades 3 - 9 and has varied levels. You can use it in self-paced or test form. It provides valuable and much needed skills training in an engaging and visual manner.

Grammar

Carmen Sandiego Word Detective (Broderbund)
In Carmen Sandiego Word Detective, the power of speech is at stake! Even the most respected ACME agents have been rendered powerless and speechless thanks to Carmen Sandiego and her diabolical invention, the Babble-On Machine. Speaking, reading and writing as we know it will cease to exist unless players can stop Carmen's plans to steal language and wreak communication chaos! Students will embark on a series of 12 exciting missions to Carmen's hideouts throughout the world, where they'll encounter activities covering grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.

Punctuation

Punctuation Rules (Optimum Resource Inc)
This program covers material ranging from categories of sentences to forming possessives. It allows students to gain strength in their ability to correctly use punctuation. The open-ended teachers section and add-on questions make the program extremely flexible. (Mac/PC)

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Development (Optimum Resources)
Students in grades 3 - 9 relate their current knowledge of vocabulary to the context in which they discover an unfamiliar word. They use a variety of contextual aids. This program illustrates synonyms, antonyms, prefixes, suffixes, homophones, multiple meanings and context clues in a variety of levels. (Mac/PC)

Inclusive Programs

Cornerstone Language Arts (SkillsBank Corp.)
Cornerstone Language Arts is a basic skills program for grades 3-8. It has a five-step system to help students of all ability levels strengthen language art skills. It contains over 175 lessons in capitalization, punctuation, spelling and usage with diagnostic and prescriptive accountability. (Macintosh, PC)