JumpStart 2nd Grade

In the Logs game, children help a gopher cross the river and make his way toward the correct answer to a math problem--much like the old game Frogger but with an educational twist. Players also encounter a Save the Universe game (science), a vault that must be unlocked (spelling and vowels), and even a basic music-notation game--well over 20 interactive games in all, plus printable activities. Why should the fun--and learning--stop when the computer shuts down?

The first of two CD-ROMs is part audio CD, containing 10 sing-and-learn songs that can be used in any CD player. As parents, we love this feature; it's great to be able to take the music on the road to reinforce the ideas and facts children are learning when they play the game.

JumpStart 2nd Grade also features built-in Internet hooks for exchanging mail with other JumpStart users and downloading more adventures. And as an added bonus, the program comes with a 30-minute animated VHS story, "Why Did the Bus Stop?" While its animation is not the most elaborate, the tape features characters from the game and helps children learn about counting, telling time, and the five senses.

The JumpStart series is popular, and for good reason: the folks at Knowledge Adventure invest a great deal of time and money into their products, and it shows in this worthy member of the series. (Ages 6 to 8) --Mike Caputo

Amazon.com Product Description
In this deluxe two-disc software set from JumpStart, kids learn essential second-grade skills and then take off to faraway worlds of fun in an adventure around the world. AdJust-for-You Learning Technology auto-adjusts to your child's pace. Kids learn basic grammar, higher math, social studies, science, spelling, vocabulary, writing, reading, sentence structure, art and creativity, phonics, complex vowels, consonant blends, solar system, world geography, and cultures of the world. In disc one, join CJ the Frog and his sidekick Edison as they journey to their secret clubhouse. Kids solve riddles and brain teasers sent in by inquisitive pen pals from all over the U.S. With disc two, climb aboard the next boat, plane, train, or zeppelin and take off to faraway worlds of fun on the all-new Around the World CD-ROM. Kids can play four different games and visit 12 different cities, where they'll learn phrases in different languages, hear music of other lands, and collect souvenirs.