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MECS Software
Ages 3-11. Specify Macintosh (System 7 and up required) or
Windows (Win 3.1 and up). Montessori Educational Computer Systems,
13008 Rover Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112. 800-995-5133.
Capture a Montessori teacher for your classroom! Always patient
and
always present, this program is the most elegant and effective
educational computer program I have ever used. Without the typical
flashing lights and video cartoon clips so typical of educational
software, the MECS Software programs steadily build your child's
understanding and skills in a number of subjects.
Created by Carol Parker, a Montessori teacher with over 30 years of
experience, the principles of good instruction are incorporated
within each MECS program. This means focused lessons with no
distractions and no reward system to cheapen your child's learning.
The reward is the skill gained itself. Throughout, you will hear
Carol's calm, encouraging voice as she teaches your children.
Montessori education stresses the "big picture" (framework)
and
essential topics for each subject, while eliminating excessive
information. Details are filled in through research. That's
why some
of the programs listed below include a research component. Of
course,
library books and writing experiences will be part of the rest of
your child's homeschool experience.
Each lesson is presented in the Montessori three-period format.
First
period presents the nomenclature for several items one at a time as
the child looks at the example on the screen. For instance,
Carol's
pleasant voice might say, "This is Texas." The child
repeats, "Texas," while viewing a picture of the state of
Texas. Then two or three more states are introduced.
Second-period lessons cement this information by giving multiple choices
and asking, "Point to Texas." In this example, five
states might be shown on the screen, with a list of state names down the
side that have to be moved from the side of the screen to under the
picture. The third period is where most programs begin: quizzing
children for information by asking, "What is this?" while
showing a picture of a state. So, Texas might be flashed on the screen
and a label is then picked from a large group of names.
These programs invite "overlearning," repeating a concept
until it is
second nature, a needed component for long-term retention. Each
program continues to work through one period until the child can
complete the lesson to perfection. Students may work a program as
long as they like, and some programs include a certificate that can
be printed at the completion of the program. My son Timmy, at age
7,
worked through the United States map and regions. He found a great
deal of quiet satisfaction working through the three period lessons
to mastery, and enjoyed displaying his newfound knowledge to me.
CD1: Phonics the Montessori Way MECS Phonetic Reading CD1,
which includes all six Reading Modules described below, is
probably the most powerful program for teaching phonics to young
children on the market. Materials are color-coded from
simple to complex and brief animations highlight the many visual
memory aids. Carol has discovered that children remember best when
moving colored pictures and sound are enhanced by their own speech.
So children are asked to repeat the letter sounds after the computer.
Later, letters are presented kinesthetically so that all senses are
eventually involved.
I presented an "animated alphabet" lesson to three
preschoolers only
this morning, and they were fascinated with the simple story sequence
used in presenting each letter and its sound. This is essential to
retention, as the brain was not created to retain facts but stories.
Reading Module 1: Reading Module 1 contains:
* The animated alphabet, described above.
* "b-d sort" and "p-q sort"-two lessons to help
children distinguish between mirror image letters.
* First letter sounds, last letter sounds, middle letter sounds,
and building three-letter-words (with clapping)-These four
exercises build "phonemic awareness," the ability to hear each
individual sound in a word. Three consonants are mastered at a
time.
On-screen teaching assistant "Monty Sory" (get it?)
demonstrates
clapping the sounds within three-letter words to refine the child's
exact speech and enable him to hear each sound. Monty's mouth
motions
show exactly how each sound is made.
* The vowel ladder and blends-The "vowel ladder" introduces
children to vowels and the first hurdle of reading, blending the
separate sounds into words. The "window cards" promote
speed blending of words. Really nice are the on-screen Teacher boxes
that tell you (the teacher) just what to do at each point.
* Matching labels-These moveable labels are just like the moveable
alphabet box in traditional Montessori schools. You can find a
description of this moveable alphabet in Montessori's own handbook,
available at most libraries. Your child matches labels to pictures
of three-letter objects.
Reading Module 2: The method continues to teach with its
"see, hear,
say, move, say as you move" approach. Children advance to
four-letter
words and complete the second reading hurdle of blending two
consonants. Digraphs are introduced with animations, and silent
letters are illustrated.
Reading Module 3: In this module a terrific animated writing
program
leads your children through the steps of correct letter formation.
Oh, how I hate to teach printing! This one is really my friend!
The long vowels sounds are introduced, as are the final silent e and
silent letter digraphs. Children continue building words with the
on-screen moveable alphabet, which now includes these additional word
parts. A word list is added at the end of the module to promote
quick reading.
Reading Module 4: R-controlled vowels are introduced through key
animated stories, and these new phonograms are now included in the
movable alphabet. Vowel diphthongs such as ew, oo, ou, ue are
introduced and tested, and then later presented in the animated word
lists in a way that organizes all the spellings under one sound.
In fact the same 70 phonograms used by Spalding's Writing Road to
Reading are incorporated at this level. A great benefit for
students to see how many different spellings can create the same sounds.
As a terrific bonus, the screens can be printed out so that you can make
materials and handouts for your children.
Reading Module 5: This module reinforces and extends all the
previous reading modules
Reading Module 6: Diphthongs are presented just as in module 4.
Students read the animated stories in chorus with children's voices on
the CD-ROM. As before, printable word lists are provided for
hands-on practice, and words can be read and organized under headings
for each diphthong.
CD2: Math, Geography, Earth Science, & More!
Speed is often not emphasized in the Montessori approach, but MECS
teaches concepts in the same relaxed math-anxiety-preventing way and
then adds a little mental zip.
The Red and Blue Rods. These rods are used to introduce the
quantities 1 to 5 and 6 to 10. They are the first Montessori math
materials presented to a student. The rods are painted in
alternating patterns of red and blue. Students count and
manipulate the on-screen rods in the same three-period format used
in presenting all materials. I found that I needed to sit with my
preschoolers because they couldn't quite answer fast enough on their
own. But I didn't mind spending the time with them to reinforce
their learning. I have plenty of counting activities in my
classroom that are enhanced by this program.
This lesson is followed by a terrific yet simple introduction of numeral
writing. The child simply follows a ball moving about a numeral
with his finger. This ensures proper numeral formation and
kinesthetic participation.
The Golden Bead materials. These explore the decimal system and
presents 1-10-100-1000's places. The online teacher never gets
tired of patiently presenting and counting with your child.
The Multiplication Board. This is a first multiplication lesson.
An
equation appears. The student places sets of beads on the board in
rows to represent the equation. He then counts and types his
answer. The "real world" versions of these boards are
quite expensive, so here using the software provides a nice savings.
Addition Facts. Addition tables are presented and practiced
similar
to multiplication.
Telling Time. This very complete program teaches children to tell
time without the pressure of timed lessons. In Period 1, the child
learns how the hour and minute hands make the time. In Period 2,
the
computer speaks a time and the child picks from between three clocks
for the correct time. In Period 3, the child sees a clock and must
identify the correct time. Subsequent lessons introduce the child
to half hours, quarter hours, and so forth. Fractions are
introduced with the clock faces and are consistent with materials used
in the math sections of the programs. There is a final mixed
random test at the end.
We now move on from math. The following programs provide an
excellent basis for Earth Science, Astronomy, and Geography for
elementary students. Even younger children can learn from and
enjoy them.
Discovering Planet Earth. For ages 4-10, this covers beginning
earth
science, geography, and social studies. All of the following 36
lessons are presented in the Three-Period format with on-screen
animations and clear information.
* Land And Water. This presents the continents and oceans.
* Directions. These lessons present compass coordinates: N, E, S,
W.
* Hemispheres. Names, meanings, and transitions to flat maps are
taught.
* World Map: Continents. Uses flat map pictures as a transition
from previous lessons. Students match continents and oceans with
word
labels.
* World Map: Oceans.
* The Sun. An introduction to facts about the sun, safety tips,
and an on-screen animation that demonstrates how sun and earth work together
to make day and night, and how they make a year.
* Planet Earth. A presentation of rotation, revolution, seasons
and year. Plus an on-screen experiment that allows students to play with
the idea of rotation and revolution.
* Children Around the World. Includes music from around the world
and a lesson on the fundamental needs of people.
* Reading Comprehension. For ages 7 and up, here's an overview and
quiz of all the above material.
Discovering the Solar System. In Period 1, Mercury, Venus, Earth,
etc. are shown in order, labeled and placed in their orbits.
Always a logical sequence and clutter-free presentation. In
Period 2, students label the planets with their correct names.
Errors are corrected and automatically retested. In Period 3, the
student must label planets by picking from a list of planet names
(harder than focusing on one name at a time). This module also
includes the following activities:
* Puzzle. The student puts the pieces of the puzzle together to
make the planet and become more familiar with its color and size.
* Rotation and Revolution. A short interactive demo allows the
student to experiment with rotation and revolution.
* Research. Students are given a short article describing each
planet and a list of blanks to fill in per planet.
Jurassic Earth. Every child loves dinosaurs! In the initial
lessons,
students learn the names, sizes, and supposed evolutionary eras in
which each dinosaur lived. In the research component, the student
builds knowledge about each type of dinosaur. In the puzzle
section,
he puts the pieces together to help imprint the physical features of
each species. I at first balked at teaching the eras assigned to
the dinosaurs, but I realized that in order to discuss ideas about the
age of the earth with my children, they would need to have a basic
understanding of the timetables and language of evolution in order to
draw comparisons.
Geography. Montessori puzzle maps are wonderful. Where else
can you find children's puzzle maps of all the countries of
Africa, for instance? And the cost of actual puzzles would be
enormous for all the countries and their flags. This part of the
software is an incredible bargain.
Geography Facts: The topic titles describe the material:
Name the
U.S. Capitols, Countries of Europe, Flags of Europe, Countries of S.
America, Flags of S. America, Countries of Africa, and
States/Territories of Australia. All are taught in the same quiet,
systematic way
Anatomy of the Horse: In this early presentation of zoology, the
exterior anatomical nomenclature of the horse, an animal fascinating to
most children, is taught. The student is also introduced to breeds
of horses, and a short research section reviews fun facts about horses
and the meanings of color names.
CD3: More Goodies
At present, the following spelling, typing, and puzzle words modules
come free to PHS readers when you buy both CD1 and CD2. RM 6
Spelling/Typing: This module promotes mastery through combining speech,
reading, spelling, and typing skills. Spelling patterns are
color-coded, and auditory analysis continues through clapping sounds.
The program notes student errors, and assignments keep pace with the
student's ability.
Puzzle Words/Typing II: A continuation of reading practice, typing
skills, and auditory analysis of words.
CD4: New Releases
Multiplication Program. The following lessons are incorporated
in this program:
* Multiplication as addition
* Commutative law
* Multiplying by 1
* Multiplying by 0
* 2x as adding doubles
* Math Facts
* Math Timings
Discover North America Part 1, Discover North America Part 2.
In these lessons, the student learns the flags of each country and
their capital cities. Territories/provinces of Canada are
included, as well as cities and flags from Central America.
I look forward to each new program Carol Parker develops. So far,
each of her programs has been very productive for my children's learning
and a great aid to my teaching. The reading program makes a great
starting point for the many writing activities and hands-on materials
with which I enhance it. I found the math programs teach the
basics well and aid in computation speed, so I have added them to my
normal workbooks. The earth science, geography, astronomy, and
horse programs nearly stand alone for younger children, and have been
very useful and vivid introductions to these topics for my upper
elementary children.
I found I needed to assist my preschool children with the mouse,
reinforcing and pointing and clicking for them until they built computer
skills. This only requires intermittent attention, because the
online teacher keeps teaching, though I am often distracted! MECS
also offers a catalog of hands-on materials that coordinate with their
software. And if you own or are thinking of purchasing traditional
Montessori equipment from them or any other supplier, all of the
pictures and colors in the MECS software programs will coordinate with
those materials.
You will find that the MECS software delivers exactly what is promised,
and if you have questions or need help, Carol herself has phone hours
available to gently assist and encourage you in your homeschool
teaching.
Very highly recommended.
MARY PRIDE SAYS: All these programs until recently were only sold as
individual modules, at a much higher price. I talked the people at
MECS into letting PHS readers have them as the CD-ROM collections
reviewed above, at greatly reduced prices, to see if a reasonably large
number of homeschoolers would want this software if it were more
affordable. So if these programs sound good to you, I strongly suggest
that now is the time to purchase them, as I have no idea how long
this special offer will last.
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