Abacus Project Math Logic and Problem Solving

Publisher: Ingenuity Works Inc.
Grade Level: 2-6
Platform: Mac / Win

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Product Details

On your way home from school, you tumble into a mysterious underground laboratory.

To escape the lab, you must solve a series of challenging math puzzles. Hostile blobs, flying critters, blasts of steam and many other obstacles stand in your way.

And your sole companion, a nervous PDA named Abacus, has a bad case of memory loss.

That's the premise of The Abacus Project, a compelling new adventure program designed to develop children's math, logic and problem-solving skills. Children can spend more time on higher-level thinking than on basic computation.

Everyone will enjoy this engaging, entertaining game that helps children build a strong basic math foundation.

The program is made up of three game-play modules, a powerful administration utility and meets NCTM Standards.

Features & Benefits

Curriculum Matrix

NCTM Process Standards
Problem Solving
Reasoning
& Proof
Connections
Representations

NCTM Content Standards
Manipulate: Addition & Subtraction
(to 10,000)
Manipulate: Division & Multiplication
(to 1,215)
Fractions
Numbers
& Operations
Patterns & Relationships
Measurement
Data Analysis & Probability
Geometry: Shape & Transformations
Geometry: Shape & Space

*The learning outcomes match the grades 2 to 4 curriculum. However, this program is an excellent resource for enrichment, remediation and students at risk.

*In the puzzles, Difficulty Levels 1 to 3 are suitable for younger children, while Difficulty Levels 5 and 6 can challenge an experienced math teacher.

Game-Play Modules:

1) Puzzle Play
In this module, children solve a series of mathematics puzzles. The puzzles challenge and build children's skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Note:
- children grasp concepts faster when they can relate, and see how the math is applied in everyday life. We used concepts such as gears, magnets, mixing paint, filling containers etc as topics for the puzzles.

- Adaptive technology ensures that children are working at their own pace and challenged

The puzzles also test and build children's knowledge of:

* place value
* fluid measurements
* sequencing
* ratios
* fractions
* shape, transformations and space
* patterns and relations
* data analysis and probability

When children solve puzzles correctly, they are congratulated by Abacus, their PDA-like guide. If children have trouble solving puzzles, Abacus offers helpful hints.

The puzzles' difficulty level automatically adjusts to children's mathematical ability. Then the program gradually increases the difficulty level. This feature ensures success, yet motivates children to improve their mathematical skills.

Teachers can also adjust the puzzle Difficulty Level for a whole class or for individual children.

Along the way, children receive Participation, Speed and Expert awards for solving puzzles.

2) Arcade Play
In this module, children engage in an environmental arcade game interspersed with the mathematics puzzles from Puzzle Play.
Note:
- at home, children are spending hours playing computer and video games, for that reason we incorporated an environmental arcade in the program where children must solve math puzzles in order to advance through the levels of game play.

- Works out to be a puzzle every 2 -3 mins!. - Children are developing their problem solving skills while having fun.

- At one our beta school 38 families purchased copies for home use because their children felt they did not get enough "play" time at school

Children take on the role of a child named Kim. On the way home from school, Kim falls into a mysterious underground laboratory. With help from the sometimes-forgetful Abacus, Kim must find a way out of the lab.

Along the way, Kim must pass through a series of locked security doors. To open a door, children must solve a math puzzle.

Strange forces are on the loose in the lab. Kim must navigate safely past hostile blobs, flying critters, blasts of steam and many other obstacles.

3) Flash Cards
The Flash Cards module aims to help children increase their speed and accuracy in basic math problems.

This module focuses on developing automatic recall and fluency of basic math facts.

* Recall addition and subraction facts to 19
* Recall multiplication facts to 12 X 12
* Recall division facts to 144/12

Note:
- this module was not designed to "teach" the basic concepts, but instead provide a tool for students to develop automatic recall and reinforce what they have already been taught. Computers are great for skills that simply require drill and practice like basic math facts and keyboarding. They never get frustrated and always provide encouragement and positive reinforcement. Knowing your basic math facts, provides children with more time to spend on problem solving

Children race against time to solve a series of addition, subtraction, multiplication or division problems.

Children can choose from 4 time limits and 2 difficulty levels. In the school versions,each time a student completes a series of flashcards, their score is recorded into the database for assessment. Students gain the foundation necessary for success in higher level problem solving.

Administration Utility

Note:
-assessment and accountability are important forms of measurement that parents and educators look for. Abacus Project record keeping module was based on our award winning program All the Right Type that has been used in over 40,000 schools for over 2 decades.

For assessment, a powerful record-keeping module allows teachers to track class and student results in the puzzles and in Flash Cards.

Because school computer-lab time is limited, School Editions of The Abacus Project provide teachers with options to restrict Arcade Play and to create customized Assignments. School versions include a teacher's guide with ideas on how the program can be used in the classroom as well as an arcade solution key.

The Abacus Project was designed for children ages 7 to 9; However, people of all ages will find it engaging and challenging.

System Requirements

Windows:
- 166 MHz processor (or better)
- Windows 95, 98, Me, NT 4, 2000,XP or Vista
- 32 MB RAM (64 MB recommended)
- 640 x 480 resolution display with 16-bit color (or better)
- CD-ROM drive (required for program installation only)
- 155 MB available hard-disk space
- DirectX version 3 or better
- Windows-compatible sound card (if sound is desired)
Mac:
- Power Mac with 133 MHz processor (or better)
- Mac OS 8.6, 9.x, 10.1.x or up to IntelMac
- 64 MB free RAM
- 640 x 480 resolution display with thousands of colors (or better)
- CD-ROM drive (required for program installation only)
- 155 MB available hard-disk space
Linux:
- 166 MHz processor (or better)
- Redhat 8.x or Mandrake 9.x (or better)
- 32 MB RAM (64 MB recommended)
- 640 x 480 resolution display with 16-bit color (or better)
- CD-ROM drive (required for program installation only)
- 155 MB available hard-disk space
- Linux-compatible sound card (if sound is desired)

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