A My World and Textease support pack for KS1 Science with activities on most aspects of the Science curriculum appropriate for this age group including animal homes, parts and types of houses, recognising everyday materials on the basis of their properties, grouping materials and some aspects of scientific enquiry. Full documenatation and sample screen shot PDF files may be viewed by clicking the links below.

THE TITLE AND THE CURRICULUM:

The title supports many of the National Curriculum requirements for Key Stage 1 relating to Scientific enquiry and Materials and their properties. The programs of study covered are:

SC1 SCIENTIFIC ENQUIRY:
:
1b: that it is important to test ideas using evidence from observation and measurement.
2a: ask questions that can be investigated scientifically and decide how to find ideas.
2b: consider what sources of information to use.
2c: think about what might happen.
2d: make a fair test.
2e: use simple equipment appropriately.
2f: make observations.

SC3 MATERIALS AND THIER PROPERTIES:

1a: to explore and recognise the similarities and differences between materials.
1b: to sort objects into groups on the basis of simple material properties.
1c: recognise and name common types of material.
1d: find out about the uses of a variety of materials.

Click here for the full documentation ( 81.7 KB)
Click here for sample screen shots (29.5 KB)

GENERAL INFORMATION:

PLEASE NOTE: THIS SOFTWARE REQUIRES MY WORLD OR TEXTEASE TO RUN. The Textease format has software speech. The My World format has real speech. The My World format also has scaling buttons that are particularly useful for children with VISUAL IMPAIRMENT.

The Re-Set button on the top right of each screen in the My World format is another extrememly useful feature. Clicking on this returns the screen to its default setting. This is particulary useful for whiteboard use, when several children may attempt the same exercise without having to exit and re-load the software.

The CD-ROM includes both the the My World 3 and Textease format of the software. The My World 3 format self installs. The Textease format must be manually installed.

Both the English and English / Welsh versions of My World 3 are available from ClicSoft.
Homes and Houses is also available in Welsh.

The screens provide a variety of activities including dragging, labelling, sorting and investigative activities. Many may lead to related classroom activities e.g. 'hands on' practical work. Buttons enable pupils to access task and help panels enabling them to work individually or in groups with minimal teacher supervision. Text buttons, word and picture banks may be used to add further information to the screens.

This software is particularly useful for introducing new topic areas and revising previous topics. The nature of both My World and Textease means that the screens are adaptable. They software may be used as both text book and exercise book and may be customised by teachers and pupils alike. The screens do not self correct giving children the opportunity to make and justify their own decisions. Each screen thus provides assessment opportunities.

SEE ALSO EARLY SCIENCE - A Stand Alone Science Collection Foundation / KS1 Science