Hilary+Meininger



__** Assignment #3 **__

1.) Title: PBS Kids: Rock n' Read Jukebox URL: http://pbskids.org/superwhy/#game/alphabricks Type: This is an activity where students sing along with an interactive storybook. Site Summary: This site has a wide variety of learning activities for Primary students. The game that I chose was modeled like a jukebox. Students are given the opportunity to sing along and read the words of the song on the screen. These songs contain simple language that children would be able to read and understand. This helps students recognize words and put them into context. Evaluation of Effective Learning Components: This activity exemplifies reading standards. This helps students read in a fun way where they are able to hear what the words sound like and repeat them within the song. The words that they have t o say are highlighted, this helps students learn to differentiate the sounds of different words. Rating: 7 I really think this game would be a great way to help students become more comfortable with reading. I would probably use this game with the entire classroom so all of the students could sing the words together. There are also a lot of different games on this site that would enhance the learning abilities of students.

2.) Primary Games: Eat Your Words URL: http://www.primarygames.com/puzzles/word_searches/eatyourwords/index.htm Type: This is an activity/game. Summary: This site has a variety of language arts games but the one I chose was called “Eat Your Words.” This game was a word search where children can find and recognize words that have to do with food. I thought the words that were given were a little too advanced for the K-3 level but I think students would be able to adequately complete the assignment. The game gives you an option to choose the level you wished to complete and I chose easy thinking that the words would be geared more towards the kindergarten level but the words given were much too advanced for a kindergarten student to recognize. I think that this game was a little dull and I most likely would not find it effective when teaching a language arts lesson. Evaluation of Effective Learning Components: The learning component shown in this game was word recognition which has to do with Elements of Language. This game gives students an opportunity to learn and begin to recognize new words. Because the words are surrounded by a variety of letters, this helps students recognize the words when they are not just by themselves which helps with a student’s reading progression.

Rating: 5 I did not find this website to be overly interesting or helpful. Although some of the learning components were exemplified, I do not think it would necessarily be as effective as a more exciting game.

3.) Title: Mr. Nussbaum Games: Grilled Cheese Please (K-3) URL: http://www.mrnussbaum.com/grilledcheese/www/index.html Type: Game Site Summary: This game is called “Grilled Cheese Please.” The goal of the game is to win a race in a swimming pool by spelling words that are shown in pictures. By typing in the correct spelling of the words one would advance in the race. At the beginning of this game you had the option of typing in words that were on your spelling list, choosing your sex, and choosing a food character you  wanted to be. This game would be very useful in helping students learn how to spell certain words, especially if they were studying for  spelling test. The words in this game were simple and appropriate for Primary students and I think the game would definitely be an enjoyable way to practice spelling. This game gives students the motivation to spell the words right so they are able to win the race. It is a very fun and interactive game and I would definitely use it in the classroom.

Evaluation of Effective Learning Components: The learning component shown in this game was spelling which also relates to the Elements of Language. This is a necessary learning component of language arts and I think this game is a perfect way to practice it. Children may find reciting and spelling the same word over and over dull and boring. This game provides an incentive for the students to spell the words right and gives them a fun way to do so. Rating: 7 This site is a fun way for students to learn how to spell. The only downfall is that the game does not provide the correct spelling of the word so if students do not know how to spell the word th ey are not able to see how it is actually spelled.

4.) Title: Fun Brain: Grammar Gorillas (K-3) URL: http://www.funbrain.com/grammar/index.html Type: Verb game/activity Summary: This site has a variety of language arts games but the one I chose was called “Grammar Gorillas.” In this game students were given sentences and asked to pick out either the noun or the verb in the sentence. There are more advanced levels of this game but I thought this level was the most appropriate for K-3 students. This game did not have a lot of color or graphics which I think students may get bored with. Also there was no real motive for winning the game at the end of the game all that was shown was your score. Evaluation of Effective Learning Components: This game is very helpful when teaching grammar in the classroom which is a part of the component having to do with Writing. I think it is very important for students to be able to recognize verbs and nouns and this website was very helpful with that. Rating: 6 I think the learning part of this website is very useful but I do not know if I would use it in the classroom because of the lack of interesting graphics or challenges. This game is very cut and dry but the concept of it is useful to students.