Free Software for Early Years, KS1 and KS2

[witch]

Elsewhere on this forum I have described how my school has a big problem with unlicensed software - basically, it has been discovered that a lot of our stuff is not licensed and therefore cannot be put on the new system.
Apart from Open Office, does anyone know of any good free software programs for age 5-9? Any subject would be of interest.
thanks

[contink]

Good place to start is:
http://www.schoolforge.net/

TuxTyping is worth a look too as a typing tutor... I'll keep an eye out for anything else we have here on the system though.

http://www.ambientdesign.com/artrage.html

http://www.getpaint.net/index2.html

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

http://earth.google.com/

http://sketchup.google.com/

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/stickfigure.html

http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/pri...hingresources/

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...y/default.mspx

[Oakie]

You MUST try the free version of Timez Attack.

this is a very high quality times table program that gets kids attention immediately. They will beg to play it, groan when it's time to quit, and will improve their skills every day that they play it.

I ended up getting the network version for the site. Try the base version for free.

http://www.bigbrainz.com/index.php

and here is a site with quite a bit of edu freeware:

http://www.educational-freeware.com/

[witch]

WOW!
Thanks guys
Now the only issue is to get the teachers to actually look at this stuff and chose what they want, preferably BEFORE the new system comes so I can put it on all at once!

[Geoff]

Also have a look at the Tux4Kids stuff. The TuxPaint and TuxTyping are especially good.

http://old.tux4kids.com/tux4kids/

[projector1]

Sebran's ABC great peice of software

also look at kidgen

you may want to look at TTCS OSSWIN CD this is packed with loads of apps!

[Andie]

Originally Posted by WITCH

Now the only issue is to get the teachers to actually look at this stuff and chose what they want, preferably BEFORE the new system comes so I can put it on all at once!

And, boy, is that going to be a BIG issue!!! :twisted:

But thanks for raising the question. I shall try and look at this stuff myself. It might help plug a few gaps. And good luck with the issue!

[dory]

http://www.oatsoft.org/Software/listing/Repository has a variety of open source software which will help students in Keystage 1 with a variety of skills.

[joe90bass]

Originally Posted by Oakie

You MUST try the free version of Timez Attack.

this is a very high quality times table program that gets kids attention immediately. They will beg to play it, groan when it's time to quit, and will improve their skills every day that they play it.

I ended up getting the network version for the site. Try the base version for free.

Multiplication Tables

and here is a site with quite a bit of edu freeware:

Educational Freeware Games For Kids And Grown Ups

Is anyboody else using this? I've been asked to look at it by our numeracy support staff (once our LEA allow access to the site!!)

[AndyD]

Originally Posted by Oakie

You MUST try the free version of Timez Attack.

this is a very high quality times table program that gets kids attention immediately. They will beg to play it, groan when it's time to quit, and will improve their skills every day that they play it.

I ended up getting the network version for the site. Try the base version for free.

Multiplication Tables

and here is a site with quite a bit of edu freeware:

Educational Freeware Games For Kids And Grown Ups

Downloaded this last night and must say I am really impressed with it. I have already installed it on our server, imported the students and waiting for full testing. A few children have already tried it and they seem to enjoy it, will see what results it gives!

[elsiegee40]

Originally Posted by Oakie

You MUST try the free version of Timez Attack.

this is a very high quality times table program that gets kids attention immediately. They will beg to play it, groan when it's time to quit, and will improve their skills every day that they play it.

I ended up getting the network version for the site. Try the base version for free.

Multiplication Tables

and here is a site with quite a bit of edu freeware:

Educational Freeware Games For Kids And Grown Ups

Timez Attack is going in with the next round of updates. There's quite a bit of stuff on the other website, I'm ear-marking for review as well. Thank you Oakie

[Oakie]

You are welcome. I am still using the older version and after using it few years I can say that it has a few tiny bugs that hopefully the new version corrects.
Early on, I had written to Ben at bigbrainz to discuss removing the part where kids had to jump over a large gap (drawbridge style) just to start the first round of 2X tables. I tried the new version and it looks like it has been removed. Perhaps others had commented to him about it as well.

Additionally, on my network version, the program hangs at multiples of 4 when the kid's creature "dies" or miss too many questions on 4X, 8X and 12X. You need to use the task manager to kill the app / process and restart the game. No matter, I like to use those as "teachable moments" . I actually prefer those opportunities to teach kids the ins and outs of tech problem solving. In any case I still heartily recommend for anyone in the primary schools to try this program. It is a real winner.