Sellardore Tales

www.topologika.co.uk/catalogue/sellardore.htm

KS2 - KS4 (Years 3 - 11)

English & ICT

This product is distributed by Topologika Software Ltd (Tel: 01273 863606)

This is a new version of an old favourite, and one that will no doubt prove to be just as popular with some students as it was the first time round. The simple text and colourful graphics, the fantasy/adventure narrative and the computer game feel are all well suited to the target audience: lower-Secondary pupils with reading ages of seven or eight. The reading book that comes in the package is well supported with activity sheets which help to develop comprehension and offer some engaging writing activities. The CD-ROM itself installs and runs easily, and provides a highly interactive and motivating simulation, allowing the students to explore the narrative of the reading book further, and enabling the development of further language work.

Sellardore Tales was used with a lower ability set of Year 7 pupils at an all-boys secondary school. All are reluctant readers and usually less than motivated during the last lesson on Friday afternoons. The program was used to encourage and provide enthusiasm for reading. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed reading the story from the screen, with spoken text via headphones to help the weakest readers. The accompanying worksheets were used to help consolidate and monitor pupils' understanding of the book. The promise of a quest to complete after reading the story was definitely a factor in pupils' engagement in the task of reading. There was plenty of opportunity for discussion and collaborative work as pupils worked in pairs to solve the adventure game.