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For Apple Macintosh Computers

Exploring Patterns from IntelliTools

The Exploring Patterns program is packed with features and has 140 sequenced activities. There are three manipulative choices for most activities. There is a support activity theme pack to compliment this delightful package which caters directly to junior primary school aged children as well (Exploring Patterns Activity Book). Students with special needs will enjoy completing the exercises, most probably requiring assistance or co-action from their teacher or teacher aide/assistant. Others can work independently.

Created by IntelliTools, Exploring Patterns can be accessed by mouse, keyboard or by using the popular IntelliKeys board on a Macintosh computer. Touch Window users can complete the patterns in all of the activities, too, simply by pointing and pressing on the various tools and cell areas in each pattern. Step Scanning and Automatic Scanning features are built in, with scanning cycles and speed-setting options designed to cater to switch users. Easy-to-follow instructions guide the children through the necessary steps in order to complete all of 140 patterns.

There are five ‘Modules’. When you log on (the program can be set up for class use, with students listed), you choose from either Two Colour Patterns, Four Colour Patterns, Sound Patterns, Translating Patterns or Growth Patterns. Each page in each module is numbered. The pattern is announced each time, in a male or female digitised voice. The sound patterns are ideal for students who require practice with their listening and auditory discrimination skills. Sounds options include: Play sounds when opening a page, Play sounds while selecting a setup, Play stamp sounds while scanning, Play tools sounds, Read page slowly. You can even record your own custom sounds (using a student’s voice, a sound effect or teacher’s voice). The program caters to children who enjoy sound, and to those who are visually impaired. The tool bar and target areas are large, bright and clearly drawn onscreen. The Translating and Growth patterns become more challenging and cater to older or more capable students.

Some additional features:

• Students can check and correct their own work.
  
• The program provides high quality auditory feedback throughout the entire process with positive feedback.
  
• The program automatically creates a ‘portfolio’ for each student’s work.
  
• You can print out individual activities, before and after. Students can complete worksheets off computer too.
  
• You can go to any page in the program, erase a page and change the images in each pattern.
  
• You can turn on Page Turning (or disable it) and enable an Arrow Key wrap around at the grid edge.
  

A comprehensive Teacher’s Guide includes a skills matrix, correlation to popular maths programs and suggestions for using the program in an inclusion setting. A Menu Protection option helps prevent inquiring minds and children who like navigate off to another program, or experiment with your hard drive!

Using the Overlays

There are five colour overlays, one for each module: Two Colour, Four Colour, Sound, Translating and Growth overlays. The overlays can be photocopied or re-printed at any time (i.e. if you have IntelliTools Overlay Maker, purchased separately). Simply place the required overlay on IntelliKeys, and choose the corresponding module. The overlay is sent automatically.

Exploring Patterns is an ideal program for children who are learning about manipulatives and experimenting with shape, patterns and colour. Pre-school centres and Grade Prep-2 teachers will quickly discover that these activities form the basis and foundation for mathematical thinking. The problem solving aspect challenges young children to think using visual intelligence and therefore enhances their perceptual skills. The sequenced activities can be used by students of all abilities.