My Software Experiences: trials and error....

   I've used several software platforms in my classes by two of my most used were Kid's College and DreamBox Learning suites. Kid's College was purchased by my school to help keep track of students math and reading literacy progress after school. Students can choose teams, players and go back and forth between math and reading quiz-type questions. At the end of each set they get to play the sport they choose. Everything is monitored according to grade level, and the students love to view their scores next to their classmates (a little friendly competition and sportsmanship doesn't hurt either). Adminstrators can easily view reports and data on patterns or trends in students' scores and ability.

  Here's the link for Kid's College, although I'm not sure how much you can understand about it without having an account to log in with.... http://www.kclogin.com/main/go.php.

  Another platform I used frequently is the DreamBox Learning suite. Information is available at http://www.dreambox.com/, though it does require a desktop version for students on the school network, and your school as to have an account. This has lots of games aimed primarily at mathematics literacy for roughly K-2 grade levels. The kids love to play games and puzzle and complete activities. Again, student progress can be tracked and monitored by an administrator.

  I also noted some Kentucky Core Academic Standards (for first grade) learning targets which these games fulfill:

Language Arts:

RL.1.1. Ask and answer questions about key details in a text 

RL.1.4. Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses. 

RL.1.7. Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events. 

RF.1.1. Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending       punctuation).

RF.1.3. Decode regularly spelled one-syllable words.

RF.1.4. Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.

RF.1.4. Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.

and,

Mathematics: 

1.OA.1. Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems involving situations of adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing, with unknowns in all positions, e.g., by using objects, drawings, and equations with a symbol for the unknown number to represent the problem. 

1.OA.3. Apply properties of operations as strategies to add and subtract.² Examples: If 8 + 3 = 11 is known, then 3 + 8 = 11 is also known. (Commutative property of addition.) To add 2 + 6 + 4, the second two numbers can be added to make a ten, so 2 + 6 + 4 = 2 + 10 = 12. (Associative property of addition.)

1.OA.5. Relate counting to addition and subtraction (e.g., by counting on 2 to add 2).

... and several more....

 

    The things I like best about both of these are that they kids love to play them, they are educational, and they allow a teacher to track progress in compact data form and see areas of difficulty clearly and statistically. However, I have a major qualm with each program. First, with Kid's College the questions are more challenging, and instructions can be given when help is needed under each question, sometime scrap paper and pencil are needed. I find that rather than meeting these challenges and working through hard problems, students will just click any response to get to the game portions. That said, I have to really closely monitor each child to make sure they are actually doing the problems. Dreambox, on the other hand, is great except for that it relies heavily on painting and drawing and some sillier games. So again, I have to closely monitor the students to make sure they are staying on the more challenging portions of the program!

   So, in a nutshell, the computer lab may seem like a bit of a brain break for everyone. However, beware: students will try to get away with doing silly games if not closely monitored by the teacher! Good luck :)