ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN LIMA NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 1992
 
         RARE OFFICIAL TI EDUCATION CARTRIDGES: 
           THE SCOTT FORESMAN READING SERIES  
                reviewed by Charles Good 
                  Lima Ohio User Group 
      
     These modules resemble PLATO software in that they
present specific language arts concepts in a text formt and
then ask a series of questions to text the student's
knowledge of the concept.  Unlike PLATO software, the Scott
Foresman modules make good use of music and color graphics.
The rare modules DO NOT make use of speech synthesis, unlike
some of the more common cartridges in the Scott Foresman
READING series.  These cartridges seem to be designed for in
classroom use, which may be why they were not made commonly
available to the public.  The "suitable age" designations
below are taken from the Fall 1987 TRITON catalog which
lists most of these modules.   
      
      READING TRAIL  
     Suitable for ages 8-12, this cartridge teaches about
the characters, setting, and points of view in stories.
Famous characters from the Wizard of Oz and a separate story
about fishing are used to illustrate specific points. 
      
      READING POWER  
     Suitable for ages 8-12, this module teaches research
skills involving the dictionary, encyclopedia, and library
card catalog.  Specifically the student learns how to find
information that is organized alphabetically in these kinds
of reference materials.  A dective story called "The Lion's
Charm" with color anamation and music is used in some of
these activities. 
 
      READING RAINBOWS  
     This is one of the rarer of the "rare" READING modules.
It has been listed in very few catalogs over the years.  It
teaches how things are alike, parts and wholes, and sizes.
Speech synthesis is used effectively.  My first grade
daughter whipped through this in a very short time, so I
assume it is designed for first grade (age 6). 
 
      READING WONDERS  
     Another of the more rare modules, READING WONDERS
teaches the student to distingush between various types of
fiction and non fiction.  Several colorful stories are used
to illustrate what is and is not historical fiction, modern
realistic fiction, science fiction, biography,
autobiography, and information articles.  I suspect that
this is probably for ages 11-13 
 
      READING ADVENTURES  
     This uses a variety of stories to teach, within a
paragraph, main and supporting details, drawing conclusions,
and sequential relationships.  I have seen this one
mentioned, but not described in catalogs.  It looks like
about ages 8-10, but I am not sure. 
      
      READING CHEERS  
     I would have guessed this was for 2nd grade, but my
1987 TRITON catalog says ages 8-12 (2nd grade is age 7-8).
The module teaches root words with endings (lazy and
lazily), contractions, and compound words. 
      
     -------------- 
     All of the above "rare" modules are c1983.  To complete
the record I will briefly describe below the more commonly
available 1982 Scott Foresman titles in the READING series. 
      
      READING ON  
     Some nicely illustrated science fiction stories
illustrate the use of maps, schedules, graphs, and why and
how people use them.  For ages 8-9 
 
      READING FUN  
     There is minimal use of speech synthesis in this 2nd
grade level module.  Four colorful stories illustrate
problems and how people solve them, why things happen, and
how characters feel. 
 
      READING ROUND UP  
     Four stories based on an "American Wild West" theme are
used.  Comcepts taught are figures of speech, word meaning,
and idioms.  The module is designed for ages 9-10. 
 
      READING FLIGHT  
     For ages 11-12.  A neat story about an archaeological
dig on a south seas island called Bolo Island teaches
classifying, summarizing, and outlining information.