Introduction

This invaluable program gives children help in adding and subtracting numbers up to 20. Animated graphics and sound reinforce these basic number skills.

Longman Software - the new generation of learning materials. Each program is based on well-tried educational theories, brought alive by the creative wizardry of modern technology. Your children will be spellbound.

At home, 4 to 8 year olds can discover, by themselves and for themselves, an adventure wonderland of early skills and abilities.

The colour and movement on-screen will fire their imagination. They will be stimulated and encouraged to enjoy addition and subtraction, spelling and word recognition and other early skills.

Number Skills 0-20 has been developed by the Loughborough Primary Micro Project, directed by Tony Gray at the University of Loughborough. A schools edition of this program, Basic Number Help A, part of the Ladybird-Longman Micro Software range, is published complete with teacher's notes and pupil's cards.

Number Skills 0-20 helps children build familiarity with using numbers and words associated with addition and subtraction of numbers up to 10 or 20.

The program has been designed for use by children on their own, but the guidance and involvement of parents will help greatly. These notes are to help you and your child to get the most out of this program.

Longman Software

Number Skills 0-20 is part of the Early Learning range from Longman Software - home computer programs from one of the world's most successful educational publishers.

Longman have drawn together experts in the field of early learning and professional computer programmers to make the most of the advantages of micro computer learning.

1. computers provide endless and patient individual attention
2. computers present early learning materials in an immediate and compelling format, full of colour and movement
3. children can work at their own pace and in their own home
4. learning with computers is fun
5. computer familiarity and confidence are vital skills for the modern world - particularly now that there is a micro computer in most schools

Number Skills: What Is It All About?

This program offers a lively way for children to practise and help consolidate learning in basic addition and subtraction. Questions can be selected (see Options pages 3-4) to involve a variety of words and symbols. For example:

6 and 3 together make _________________
seven ‐ three = ________________
5 plus 2 equals ___________________

There are 10 different questions each time. A child can ask for help (by pressing H) or will receive help on making an error. The help sequence follows the pattern of guidance that a teacher might use with a child, making use of a number line to assist counting.

Number Skills: The Program In Action

Two conventions you will meet in this program:

1. a small rectangle in a left-hand corner of the screen is a signal for you to press SPACE when you are ready to continue;
2. Y/N means press Y for Yes or N for No

A. The first page asks you to type your name. Press RETURN afterwards and then SPACE

B. The next page gives some options for kinds of questions: Add, Take Away, Mix, Stop. (Mix means questions selected from both Add and Take Away.)

From this page you can obtain a further range of options by pressing the red key f4. The first page asks you to select the range of numbers (up to 10 or up to 20) and the degree of help given (Watch and Count offers more help).

The second page of options within f4 asks you to select the kind of format to be used for questions and answers. For example, Words - Numbers means that words are used in the question but numbers are expected in the answer. (Option 3 expects you to type the answer as a word.) Also you can request scores to be given or choose not to have sound.

Once you have set up these options, they will remain in force unless you change them again or switch the machine off. (The normal mode of the program has 'Numbers Up to 10' with sound but no scores.)

C. After selecting options on the f4 pages you are returned to the start. Retype your name, press RETURN and select Add, Take Away or Mix.

D. The first question will be displayed. Type in an answer using the number keys (words if you chose that option) and press RETURN (Two digit numbers must be entered from left to right).Correct answers are acknowledged by a 3 note tune. Press SPACE for the next question. There are ten questions in a sequence.

E. Try answering a few questions. Notice the range of vocabulary used. These are the words used:

one
two
three
four
five
six
seven
eight
nine
ten
eleven
twelve
thirteen
fourteen
fifteen
sixteen
seventeen
eighteen
nineteen
twenty
+ add and plus
‐ take away subtract minus
= equals is leaves makes

F. If you want Help, press H. The sequence of instructions refers to using the number line at the bottom of the page. When following these instructions, use the SPACE BAR to count on or count back. Each press of the SPACE BAR adds (or subtracts) one star over the number line. (With the 'Watch and Count' option, the row of stars change colour one-by-one before the question 'How many stars?' appears.)

Notes

1. Remember that children learn best in a relaxed atmosphere where the challenge of the learning task and the pleasure of mastering it is the strongest emotion. Run through the program with your child and make sure he or she understands how it works.
2. Encourage your child to use pencil and paper, counters or aids to working out the questions - just as he or she would in school.
3. The program is in colour but will be distinct on black and white sets provided the set is properly tuned.

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