School Zone Reading Readiness K-1

Reviewed by Sara Hartman
Published by School Zone Interactive

Age Group: Age 4 to 8
Type: Language Arts
Price: $20

PC version requires:
Windows 95/98, P 166MHz processor, 32MB RAM, 640x480 16-bit color video, 16-bit sound card, 50MB HD, 4x CD-ROM

Mac version requires:
OS 7.6.1, 150MHz PowerMac, 32MB RAM, 640x480 16-bit color video, 50MB HD, 4x CD-ROM

Description:

Reading Readiness K-1 is part of the On-Track Software series fromSchool Zone. In this series, the software is accompanied by a workbook containing the same lessons in an away-from-the-computer format. Rhyming, opposites, alphabetical order and sequencing are among the reading readiness activities included in this title. It could well have been called "Math and Reading Readiness" as it also contains exercises in greater than, less than, and a little bit of plane geography.

Features:

  • Thirty computer activities with instant scoring
  • Workbook for away-from-the-computer learning
  • Educational activities interspersed with games
  • Randomizes problems
  • Audio guidance

Technical Aspects:

Installation is straightforward, autoplay for the CD and double-click installation on the Macintosh. I encountered significant lags in gameplay on a system well over the minimum requirements, bothersome rather than disruptive as they occurred between instead of during activities. Graphics are bold, bright and colorful. Audio is easily understood. The instructions for this title are both written and oral, so a hearing-impaired child who is already reading would have no problem, but then a child already reading does not need this title. The activities could easily be accomplished with the aid of an interpreter.

Report and Conclusions:

Reading Readiness K-1 is a solid, but in my opinion less than inspired, pre-reading program. The away-from-the-computer workbook is a nice touch, though exactly the same as the computer activities. On the computer, correctly completed exercises earn a reward in the form of a fun animation or a game (memory plus two arcade-style). Other than the annoying lags noted in the technical section, I can't think of anything wrong with the title; it's just that I don't think it will be one that my children will reach for again and again after the initial play-through.