Software to Improve Reading and
Writing Skills for grades 9 - 12

Outstanding African-Americans: Building
Reading, Writing, and Reasoning Skills

This new software release is in the TRAC-R^TM sentence rearranging format developed by Dr. Arthur Whimbey, the lead author for the series. The sentence rearranging format displays the exercises in a form appropriate for use at the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade levels.

This instructional software series includes the TRAC Structures for Learning system from New Intelligence Inc., the unique Interactive Textbook that emphasizes simple point-and-click operations by students using the program.  The TRAC SL system software also includes powerful, easy-to-use central student management, performance analysis, and reporting functions.

Outstanding African-Americans presents concise biographies of twenty-eight outstanding African-Americans. Students learn about the accomplishments and contributions of these notable individuals, as well as the obstacles they faced, often particularly severe because of their race. The biographies include Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Jesse Jackson, Michael Jordan, Benjamin Banneker, George Washington Carver, Thurgood Marshall, Ralphe Bunche, Marian Anderson, Norbert Rillieus, Madame C. J. Walker, Joe Louis, Satchel Paige, Garrett Morgan, Maya Angelou, Bill Cosby, Oprah Winfrey, Mary McLeod Bethune, Charles Drew, Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable, Shirley Chisholm, Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, Bessie Coleman, Edmonia (Wildfire) Lewis, Mae Jemison, Guion S. Bluford, Jr., and Gordon Parks, Sr.

These biographies are in a form that has proven extremely powerful for strengthening writing, reading, and reasoning skills. The approach used is called text reconstruction.

The program capitalizes on the power of the computer and the TRAC Structures for Learning system to make the student an active learner,

with active immersion in standard written English, and continuing feedback on the accuracy of the student's comprehension.

In contrast to traditional textbooks, student interaction is central to Outstanding African-Americans. Students must actively and continuously respond through the text reconstruction activities that engage the student in the content, and that control each student's progression through the exercises. This helps students focus their attention on the material and contributes to mastery.

Computer System Requirements: 
Windows-based PC running Windows
    95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, or Vista
Memory:  256 k minimum; 512 k
    recommended
VGA or SVGA color monitor
CD-ROM drive
Mouse or pointing device
Requires approx. 6 mb
    hard drive space