Literacy Software
  Suggested Software and Supportive Hardware 
for Classroom Literacy Enhancement

All My Words Crick Software Ltd.  Structures literacy activities for beginning readers and writers.  Activities include matching words or letters, practicespelling, find the missing word or build the text.  Crick Software Ltd., 50 116th Ave SE, Suite 211, Bellevue, WA 98004.  Toll-free: 1-866-33-CRICK, Phone: 425-467-8260.

Balanced LiteracyIntellitools A nine-unit program that provides a complete year of literacy instruction at a first grade skill level.  Over 117 story, pattern and letter books provide opportunities for students to read.  Includes phonics activities, guided writing and comprehension reviews.  Intellitools, Inc., 1720 Corporate Circle, Petaluma, CA 94954, 1-800-899-6687. Mac, Windows.

BoardmakerMayer-Johnson  A graphics database containing over 3,000 Picture Communication Symbols in bitmapped clip art form.  Mayer-Johnson Co., P.O. Box 1579, Solana Beach, CA  92075-1579,  1-619-481-2489, Mac, Windows.

Clicker PlusCricksoft An on-screen tool that allows all of the functions of the mouse, text entry, perform editing.  Crick Software Ltd.  1 The Avenue, Spinney Hill Northampton NN3 6BA England, 01604671691, Windows

Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia:Compton Newmedia This program is basically an encyclopedia on CD, which allows you to perform a search, to locate a picture on a topic, to hear sounds from a variety of animals, places, and things, to see a short movie clip, etc.  Compton's Newmedia Inc., A Tribune Publishing Co., 320 Camino Vida Roble, Carlsbad, CA  92009.

Correct Grammar Wordstar Software This software is designed to highlight sentences containing questionable grammar, spelling, syntax, punctuation and style, and suggests alternatives.  It automatically re-checks sentences after corrections have been made to ensure that users have not introduced a newerror.  The system lets users customize the rule set to reflect personal writing preferences.  Wordstar Software, 201 Alameda del Prado, PO Box 6113, Novato, CA  94948.

Co:WriterDon Johnston, Inc. A word prediction program that helps to alleviate both cognitive and physical stress of text generation.  It gives logical word choices by language features and initial letters typed by the student.  Word lists can be spoken by the computer.  This can act as a spelling assistant. Don Johnston, Inc., 1000 N. Rand Bldg. 115, P.O. Box 639, Wauconda, IL  60084-0639, 1-800-999-4660, Mac.

Co:Writer 4000 Don Johnston, Inc. A word prediction program that helps to alleviate both cognitive and physical stress of text generation.  It gives logical word choices by language features nd initial letters typed by the student. word lists can be spoken by the computer.  This can act as a spelling assistant.  This new version includes FlexSpell and Grammar Prediction.  Don Johnston, Inc., 1000 N. Rand Bldg. 115, P.O. Box 639, Wauconda, IL 60084-0639, 1-800-999-4660. Mac, Windows.

Creative Writer Microsoft Corporation  Creative Writer2 makes it easy to create your own original and creative masterpieces.  Check out the amazing drawing, painting and publishing tools and create school projects.  Microsoft Corporation, 1-800-426-9400.

Cue-Write Communication Skill Builders This program is a simplified menu driven word processing program that provides spelling assistance and support.  Basically, Menu driven means that the different menus will prompt you through the various features of Cue-Write.  This program can be used with the following computers:  Applee II+, IIe, IIc, or IIG.  Communication Skill Builders, 3830 E. Bellevue, PO Box 42050-EB, Tucson, AR  85733.

Dinosaur Days  Toucan A story writing program that offers colorful backgrounds, clip art, text processor and four print out sizes.  Has a slide show feature that lets you create animated storybooks that read aloud.  Toucan, 338 Commerce Dr., Fairfield, CT  06430, 1-800-232-2224, Mac.

Draft:Builder Don Johnston, Inc.   An organizational tool that helps students gather, organize and synthesize information to produce cohesive written text.  The three step scaffold provides help with outlining and mapping, taking notes and building a draft.  Don Johnston, Inc., 1000 N. Rand Bldg. 115, P. O. Box 639, Wauconda, IL 60084-0639, 1-800-999-4660.  Mac, Windows.

Edmark Educational Software:  Thinkin' Things, Bailey's Book House, Millie's Math House, Sammy's Science House, Trudy's Time and Place House, Stanley's  Sticker Stories  Edmark  Educational software that fosters skills such as visual and auditory discrimination, memory, logic, creativity, identifying letters, writing stories, rhyming, word meaning, math concepts, shapes, patterns, sequencing and science concepts such as plants, animals, weather and seasons.  Edmark, P.O. Box 3218, Redmond, WA  98073-3218, 1-800-362-2890, Mac, DOS, Windows.

Five Finger TypistMayer-Johnson  Structured typing tutor for one-handed typists.  Provides a complete set of typing lessons for both the right and left hand.  Published by SoftDawn.  Mayer-Johnson Co., PO Box 1579, Solana Beach, CA 92075-1579, 1-619-481-2489.

HandsOFF!Prentke Romich Company  Provides access to computers for people with notoric difficulties.  Offers a wide range of input methods.  Uses text and graphics.  Includes word prediction.  Prentke Romich Company, 1022 Heyl Road, Wooster, OH 44691, 1-800-262-2984.

InspirationInspiration Software  A graphical organizing tool that allows creation of concept maps, semantic webs, and outlines.  Inspiration Software,  7412 SW Beaverston Hillsdale Hwy., Suite 102, Portland, OR  97225-2167, 1-800-877-4292.  Mac, Windows.

Intellitalk Intellitools, Inc. A talking word processor that will speak the letter, word or sentence as it is typed.  It can highlight word-by-word as it talks to provide a direct correlation between written and spoken words.  It has picture pull-down menus that kids can use independently.  Selecting from font and background colors allows for easy visual discrimination.  Utilizes large cursor.  Has built in pronunciation editor. Available in Spanish version. IntelliTools, Inc., 5221 Central Ave., Suite 205, Richmond, CA,  94804, Mac, Windows.

Intellitalk II Intellitools  A talking word processor with the following features; spell check, locked text, automatic overlays (Overlay Maker), on-screen graphics and word banks, built-in scanning, expandable item library, pre-desigened activities.  Intellitools, Inc., 1720 Corporate Circle, Petaluma, CA 94954, 1-800-899-6687

KC & Clyde in Fly Ball CD  Don Johnston   Choose-your-adventure story that is designed to hold students' attention and involvethem in language.  The reading level is grade 1.5.  Don Johnston Incorporated, 1000 N Rand RD Bldg. 115, PO Box 639, Wauconda, IL  60084-0639, 1-800-999-4660.

KeyREP Prentke Romich Company  A word prediction program.  Works with any application.  Prentke Romich Company, 1022 Heyl Road, Wooster, OH 44691, 1-800-262-1984.

Kid Keys Knowledge Adventure  A Typing program designed specifically for young children who are just beginning to learn literacy skills.  In addition to teaching the keyboard with animation, music and other sound effects, this program also helps build early reading skills.  Davidson and Associates, Inc.  P.O. Box 2961, Torrance, CA  90509, 1-800-545-7677, Mac, DOS.

Kid Pix StudioThe Learning Company  An arts and crafts program that includes a talking alphabet, rubber stamps, magical screen transitions, slide shows and 'Wacky brushes'.  This program contains the same tools as other drawing programs.  The Learning Company, Customer Service, 1-800-358-9144.  To order by phone, call 1-800-395-0277. Mac, DOS, Windows.

Kid Works Deluxe  Davidson and Associates, Inc.  A word processor that includes a paint program and text to speech output.  Program also has a text to symbol feature that allows students to switch back and forth between symbols and printed words.  Davidson and Associates, Inc.  P.O. Box 2961, Torrance, CA  90509, 1-800-545-7677, Mac, DOS.

Living BooksThe Learning Company  Interactive literature on CD-ROM.  Popular children's books have been transformed to a format where children can read along with the story, re-read words, discover the meaning of words and have fun with literature.  Current titles include 'Little Monster at School' by Mercer Mayer, 'Just Grandma and Me' by Mercer Mayer, 'Harry and the Haunted House' by Mark Schlichting, 'The Tortoise and the Hare' Aesop's Fable, 'Arthur's Birthday' by Marc Brown, 'Arthur's Teacher Trouble' by Marc Brown and 'The New Kid on the Block' by Jack Prelutsky, 'Dr. Seuss's ABC', 'The Berenstein Bears Get in a Fight' by Stan and Jan Berenstein, 'Green Eggs and Ham' by Dr. Seuss.  The Learning Company, Customer Service, 1-800-358-9144.  To Order by phone, call 1-800-395-0277,  Mac, Windows.

Mario Teaches Typing  MacPlay  Builds speed and accuracy (graduate 50 words per minute), using a motivating arcade game format.  MacPlay, 17922 Fitch Avenue, Irvine, CA  92714, 1-714-553-3530. Mac, Windows.

Mind Reader Brown Bag Software Inc.  Brown Bag Software Inc., 2155 South Bascom Ave., Suite 114, Campbell, CA  95008.

Monsters and Make-Believe  Toucan  A story writing program that offers colorful backgrounds, clip art, text processor and four print out sizes.  Has a slide show feature that lets you create animated storybooks that read aloud.  Toucan, 338 Commerce Dr., Fairfield, CT  06430, 1-800-232-2224, Mac.

My First Amazing Words and Pictures  Dorling Kindersley Multimedia  An interactive picture dictionary with illustrations, animation, antonyms, synonyms, sematic groupings and auditory feedback.  Dorling Kindersley Multimedia,  95 Madison Avenue, New York, NY  10016, 1-800-356-6575.  Mac, Windows.

My Word  Hartley Courseware Inc.  Hartley Courseware Inc., Dimindale, MI 48821, 1-800-247-1380.

New Kid PixThe Learning Company This program uses the tools found in Kid Pix, but provides templates from which children can create masks, greeting cards, hats, animals, shapes, dolls, puppets, puzzles and rainy day activities.  Broderbund Software, P.O. Box 6125, Novato, CA  94948-6125, 1-800-521-6263, Mac, DOS, Windows.

PAL with Spellpal  A word prediction program that helps alleviate both the cognitive and physical stress of text generation.  Used in conjunction with a word processor, PAL makes predictions at each word is typed.  With the addition of Spellpal, PAL documents and "dictionaries" can be checked so that they are kept free from errors.  ScetlanderLTD/Trading as Lander Software, Glasgow Software Centre, 1 Atlantic Qway, Glasgow, G2 8JE, United  Kingdom, 011-44-141-226-5611, FAX:  011-44-141-266-5622.

Picture ItDon Johnston  Can type or import text, then the program adds pictures to the text.  Don Johnston, 1000 N Rand Rd., Bldg. 115, PO Box 639, Lake Wauconda, IL, 1-800-999-4660.

Predict It Don Johnston  Don Johnston, 1000 N Rand Rd. BLDG 115, PO Box 639, Lake Wauconda, IL, 1-800-999-4660.

Process WriterScholastic Teaches students how to organize their thoughts when writing essays, reports, stories and poems.  Each program offers dozens of activities for discovering good writing ideas.  There is also feature that allows teachers to create customized story structures for students to use.  This program requires more advanced literacy skills.  Scholastic, Inc., P.O. Box 7502, 2931 East McCarty St., Jefferson City, MO  65102, 1-800-541-5513, Mac.

Prototype Zygo Industries, Inc.   A word prediction program with automatic spell checking.  Zygo Industries, Inc., PO Box 1008, Portland, OR 97207-1008, 1-800-234-6006.

Simon Sounds it out  Don Johnston  Provides structures phonics instruction and guided practice using classroom-tested effective strategies.  On-screen tutor monitors each student's progress, adjusting to review or move on when sounds are mastered andproviding positive support.  Don Johnston, 1000 N Rand Rd., Bldg 115, PO Box 639, Lake Wauconda, IL, 1-800-999-4660.

Simon Spells  Don Johnston  A spelling tutor that gives students repetitive practice in spelling and teaches them how to correct their errors.  Don Johnston, 1000 N Rand Rd., Bldg. 115, PO Box 639, Lake Wauconda, IL, 1-800-999-4669.

Speaking Dynamically and Speaking Dynamically Pro  Mayer-Johnson Co.  A program for creating talking, multilevel communication boards.  Can be used as a story writing or reading program.  Very flexible for creating picture based literacy assistance tools such as picture dictionaries.  Mayer-Johnson Co., P.O. Box 1579, Solana Beach, CA  92075-1579, 1-619-481-2489, Mac.

Spell CatcherCasady An interactive spell checker, full featured thesaurus, abbreviation expansion that works along with any Macintosh program.  Casady 7 Greene 22734 Portola Drive, Salinas, CA 93908, 1-408-484-9228  Macintosh.

Start to Finish Don Johnston  Start to Finish books offer three formats.  Each format provides a different level of reading intervention acces and support.  Gives students both reading comprehension practice and self-selected reading experiences.  Several categories with several books are available.  Don Johnston, 1000 N Rand Rd., Bldg. 115, PO Box 639, Lake Wauconda, IL, 1-800-999-4660.

Storybook Maker Global Star Software  A creativity program that enables children to create their own pictures and drawings in a multimedia environment.  Many creative features exist to enhance their creations including animation, sounds, text, and paint.  Global Star Software Ltd., 6225 Kenway Drive, Mississagua, ON - L5T 2L3, Canada.

Storytime TalesDon Johnston  Don Johnston Incorporated, 1000 N Rand RD Bldg 115, PO Box 639, Wauconda, IL  60084-0639, 1-800-999-4660.

Super Print (no longer available)  Scholastic A publishing center that allows children to create posters, banners, calendars or cards.  It combines graphics and text in an easy to use format.  Scholastic, Inc., P.O. Box 7502, 2931 East McCarty St., Jefferson City, MO  65102, 1-800-541-5513, Mac.

Switch Clicker 3 Crick Software Ltd.  Versatile tool customizing writing materials for a wide range of abilities.  Can create on-screen books, writing grids with pictures and/or text and talking communication boards.  Crick Software Ltd., 50 116th Ave SE, Suite 211, Bellevue, WA 98004.  Toll-free: 1-866-33-CRICK.  Phone:  425-467-8260.

Talkabout: Don Johnston, Inc. Talkabout is a conversation software program that allows the user to communicate thoughts and ideas. The Talkabout can be used to chat, to tell a recent story, and to create a new story. 

Talking Textwriter Scholastic Inc.  Scholastic Inc., 730 Broadway, New York, NY  10003.

Telepathic Madenta  Madenta Communication Inc., 9411 A 20 Ave., Edmonton, AB Canada  T6N1E5, 1-800-661-8406.

Theme Weavers Edmark  Ready to use software activities thta are theme based.  Activities include text, drawing and recording tools.  Activities and lessonstarters are available for math, language arts, social studies, science aqnd art. Edmark, P.O. Box 99701, Redmond, WA 98073-9721, 1-800-691-2988.

Type To Learn: Sunburst Communication Inc.  Type to Learn can be used with IBM or Macintosh systems. It is a computer keyboarding tutorial course which presents learning opportunities while training keyboarding skills. It teaches the keystrokes for the alphabet, numeral, and punctuation keys. Practice and drills are designed as motivating games, and feedback on speed and accuracy is provided to encourage students. Sunburst Communication Inc., 101 Castleton Street, Pleasantville, NY 10570, 1-800-321-7511.  To order call, 1-800-628-8897 (billing).

ULTimate Reader  Don Johnston, Inc.  A reading companion program for students who can't read regular text because of physical, learning or visual disability.  The programreads any electronic text.  Highlights as it reads.  Published by Cast, Inc.

WiViK2 Pointing Access Prentke Romich Company  Provides an onscreen keyboard which lets you use a pointing device to select keys insteadof conventional typing.  Click or dwell on the key that you want.  Prentke Romich Company, 1022 Heyl Road, Wooster, OH 44691, 1-800-262-1984.

WiViK2 Switch Access  Prentke Romich Company  Provides an onscreen keyboard which lets you use a pointing device or a switch to select keys.  Prentke Romich Company, 1022 Heyl Road, Wooster, OH 44691, 1-800-262-1984.

WiVox  Prentke Romich Company  A talking word processor, will also read menus or entire documents.  Prentke Romich Company, 1022 Heyl Road, Wooster, OH 44691, 1-800-262-1984.

Write Away 2000 Information Services, Inc.  A all-in-one talking word processor and word prediction program.  Includes phonetic acception and abbreviation expansion.  Information Services, Inc., P.O. Box 7056 Water Street, St. Johns, Nf, A1E 3Y3 Canada 709-737-3090.  Windows.

Write OutLoudDon Johnston, Inc. A talking word processor that will speak the letter, word or sentence as it is typed.  It can highlight word-by-word as it talks to provide a direct correlation between written and spoken words.  It has a ribbon of picture icons that allow for easy access of commands.  This program also comes with a talking spell checker.  Don Johnston, Inc., 1000 N. Rand Bldg. 115, P.O. Box 639, Wauconda, IL  60084-0639, 1-800-999-4660, Mac, Windows.

The Writing Center: ScholasticThe writing center is a word processing program that provides graphics.  Individuals who use the program are able to manipulate the text and the graphics in their documents.  For students who lack confidence or motivation in writing, the manipulation of text and graphics allows them to be creative when producing documents.

Writing with Symbols 2000 Mayer Johnson A picture (or text) word processing program that can display symbols or other graphics for each word typed.  Includes PCS and Rebus symbols.  Can be used to create writing activities tailor made to a student's abilities.  Mayer-Johnson Co., P.O. Box 1579, Solana Beach, CA 92075-1579, 1-619-481-2489, Windows
 
 

Big Keys Keyboard Infogrip, Inc.  A keyboard that is the size of a standard keyboard with 1" square keys. Available indifferent colors and white on black.  Options by Infogrip, 1794 East Main St., Ventura, CA 93001, 1-800-397-0921.   Mac, Windows.

Discover Ke:nxDon Johnston An interface that allows customized alternate input methods.  Can be used for literacy enhancement by creating on:screen keyboards or alternate keyboard setups.  Don Johnston, Inc., 1000 N. Rand Bldg. 115, P.O. Box 639, Wauconda, IL  60084-0639, 1-800-999-4660, Mac.

Intellikeys and Overlay Maker  IntelliTools, Inc.  An alternate (membrane) keyboard that provides simplified standard keyboards and the capability of developing customized keyboards that can be used to simplify computer access and writing tasks.  This tool is similar to Ke:nx used in conjunction with KeyLargo.  An advantage is that, with the proper cable, Intellikeys plugs directly into the keyboard port of Macintosh and IBM compatibles.  To program custom keyboards the software called Overlay Maker is also required.  IntelliTools, Inc., 5221 Central Ave., Suite 205, Richmond, CA,  94804, Mac, DOS.

KidsBall Infogrip, Inc.  A large trackball manufactured by Microsoft.  Requires less fine motor control than a standard trackball and is ruggedly built.  Options by Infogrip, 1794 East Main St., Ventura, CA 93001, 1-800-397-0921 Windows.

Roller Joystick Plus Infogrip, Inc.  A roller joystick with buttons that support click, double click, drag, horizontal/vertical movement and speed adjustment.  Two joystick handles available, T-bar or Soft Sponge.  Options by Infogrip, 1794 East Main St., Ventura, CA 93001, 1-800-397-0921.  Mac, Windows.

TouchWindowEdmark  Attaches to the monitor of any Macintosh Computer.  Once installed, acts like a "mouse"--anything you would do with the mouse, you can do with the Touch Screen.  Makes accessing the computer less cognitively complex.  Edmark, P.O. Box 3218, Redmond, WA  98073-3218, 1-800-362-2890, Mac, DOS, Windows.

ZoomCaps Key LabelsDon Johnston, Inc.  Stickers on key labels help visibility of letters, numbers and functions.  Available with black letters on beige background or white letters on black background.  Don Johnston, Inc., 1000 N. Rand Bldg. 115, P.O. Box 639, Wauconda, IL  60084-0639, 1-800-999-4660.