Free or very inexpensive software available for downloading.  All are Windows-based.  Some have Mac or Linux versions.  

 

Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade	Language Arts Grades XX-XX	Typing Grades 3-6
Math All Grades	Social Studies Grades XX-XX	Science Grades X-X

 

 

 

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K-2 At Home Applications

 

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Applications installed at school.  Your child should have some experience with using this tool for the grades identified.

 

Although all of these applications contain a free version.  There are some applications with additional features for a small price.  These are noted by this symbol.

 

Grade	Student Rating	Software	Description
		Mini-Sebran	Early learning games for ages 2-6.  Includes letters, numbers, colors, doodle art and keyboard exercises.  Mini-Sebran is a great tool for students to practice their mousing skills as well by tracing letters.  Grant has the "Exit" button setup to allow students to exit the application without using the complicated ALT-F4 combination.
		Sebran	Letters, numbers, addition, subtraction, word/picture recognition (early reading).
		TuxPaint	A paint program that can be used for a number of learning lessons.  Please see the TuxPaint page for primary grade appropriate templates.  Don't forget the stamps!  Our reorganized version of the stamps is available on the TuxPaint page as well.

 

 

Language Arts (Reading/Spelling/Writing) 

 

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Applications installed at school.  Your child should have some experience with using this tool for the grades identified.

 

Although all of these applications contain a free version.  There are some applications with additional features for a small price.  These are noted by this symbol.

 

Grade	Student Rating	Software	Description

 

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Typing

 

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Applications installed at school.  Your child should have some experience with using this tool for the grades identified.

 

Although all of these applications contain a free version.  There are some applications with additional features for a small price.  These are noted by this symbol.

 

Grade	Student Rating	Software	Description
		TuxTyping	TuxTyping is part of the Tux4Kids project.  This typing game reinforces good typing skills if students  use proper home key positions for playing the games.

 

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Math 

 

Legend

Applications installed at school.  Your child should have some experience with using this tool for the grades identified.

 

Although all of these applications contain a free version.  There are some applications with additional features for a small price.  These are noted by this symbol.

 

Grade	Student Rating	Software	Description
		2+2	From counting to division, this program provides practice with math fact concepts.
		Multiplication Station	Multiplication Station will teach your child to add, subtract and multiply.The application can be configured for addition, subtraction and multiplication. The number ranges can be configured, and the grid size can also be configured to study specific ranges.
		Timez Attack	for upgrade.  Multiplication facts practice.  Engaging game to memorize mulitplication facts.  Extremely popular with the boys!
		Tux, of Math Command	Tux, of Math Command is part of the Tux4Kids project.  It contains number typing through division.  Positive and negative numbers are included.  NOTE:  Its interface is more like a missile shooting game at comets.  For this reason, it is not installed at school
		TuxMathScrabble	Although named for Tux, Tux Math Scrabble is not part of the Tux4Kids project.  Tux Math Scrabble is a free math game for kids that is similar to the board game Scrabble, but uses numbers instead of letters. There are four skill levels for practice, from basic addition with small numbers, through multiplication and division with larger numbers. Kids get to compete against the animated penguin Tux.
		GeoGebra	GeoGebra is an open source tool created for Geometry, Algebra and Calculus.  There are several online lessons available for 4th-6th grades.  However, students can download and create their own based on the online examples.
		Google Sketchup	Google Sketchup is a great 3D tool for creating all kinds of objects.  As a creative design tool, students use math concepts, visual and spatial skills to create--very open ended.

 

 

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Social Studies

 

Legend

Applications installed at school.  Your child should have some experience with using this tool for the grades identified.

 

Although all of these applications contain a free version.  There are some applications with additional features for a small price.  These are noted by this symbol.

 

 

Grade	Student Rating	Software	Description
		Google Earth	Google Earth is an online satelite 3-D system that allows you to "fly" anywhere in the world.  It contains a Google Earth for Educators site where there are links to specific ideas for using this tool.  There are many "kmz" files supporting social studies curriclum in addition to the geography capabilities.
		Seterra	Seterra is a challenging educational geography program with 70 different exercises. Learn about countries, capitals, flags and cities in Africa, Europe, South America, North America, Asia and Australia, using outline map exercises.  There are 17 different exercises that teach American geography and flags. Take this opportunity to learn where all 50 US states are located on the map!
		Atlas of World History	Map animation software: an interesting way to visualize history. Animated maps show empires growing and countries changing in Europe, Africa, and Asia over 4000 years (from 3000 BC up to to 1000 AD).

 

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Science

 

 

Legend

Applications installed at school.  Your child should have some experience with using this tool for the grades identified.

 

Although all of these applications contain a free version.  There are some applications with additional features for a small price.  These are noted by this symbol.

 

 

Grade	Student Rating	Software	Descrption
		Google Earth	Google Earth is an online satelite 3-D system that allows you to "fly" anywhere in the world.  It contains a Google Earth for Educators site where there are links to specific ideas for using this tool. There are may "kmz" files that download the "ring of fire" in addition to having live updates of earthquakes. Google Earth also contains Google Sky which allows users to "fly" around the solar system and beyond.
		Phun
		Celestria	Celestria is planetarium software that takes you from the earth to the starts.  There are many "missions" created to help you explore read and imaginary planets.  See the Related Sites for more specific missions.
		Stellarium	Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. It is being used in planetarium projectors. Just set your coordinates and go.

 

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Music, Art and Others

 

Legend

Applications installed at school.  Your child should have some experience with using this tool for the grades identified.

 

Although all of these applications contain a free version.  There are some applications with additional features for a small price.  These are noted by this symbol.

 

Grade	Student Rating	Software	Descrption
		TuxPaint	A paint program that can be used for a number of learning lessons.  Please see the TuxPaint page for primary grade appropriate templates.  Don't forget the stamps!  Our reorganized version of the stamps is available on the TuxPaint page as well.
		Scratch	Scratch is a computer programming, animimation, video game and all around fun tool for kids.  It was developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT lead by Constructionist Educator Mitch Resnick (who also develeped the "programmable brick" that inspired LEGO Mindstorms). At Grant, we've used this program during Enrichment Rotation.
		Lego Designer
		Alice
		ArtRage
		NetPaint
		Google SketchUp