ZX Spectrum 16K/48K
-------------------

HOT DOT SPOTTER
===============

A compelling game of speed and skill, teaching young children how to
estimate numbers quickly.

Longman Software - the new generation of learning materials. Each
program is based on well-tried educational theories, brought alive by
the creative wizardry of modern technology. Your children will be
spellbound.

At home, 4 to 8 year olds can discover, by themselves and for
themselves, an adventure wonderland of early skills and abilities.

The colour and movement on screen will fire their imagination. They
will be stimulated and encouraged to enjoy learning addition and
subtraction, spelling and word recognition.

The wonder of the computer, the power of its appeal and the balanced
variety of games and activities will keep your child fascinated,
absorbed...and learning.

Longman Software
Your key to early learning

Also available in the early learning series from Longman Software:
Countabout   a,b,c...lift-off!

New titles coming soon.

0 582 83502 X

LONGMAN SOFTWARE
================

Longman Group Limited Longman House
Burnt Mill Harlow Essex CM20 2JE

Notes for Parents
=================

Introduction
------------

The Hot Dot Spotter is a number game for children aged 4 to 8 years.
It has been specially designed so that it can be used by young
children on their own but parental involvement and support can only
increase its impact and value for the child. These notes are to help
you and your child to get the most out of this program.

Longman Software
----------------

The Hot Dot Spotter is part of the Early Learning range from Longman
Software - home computer programs from one of the world's most
successful educational publishers. Longman have drawn together experts
in the field of early learning and professional computer programmers
to make the most of the advantages of micro computer learning.

- computers provide endless and patient individual attention

- computers present early learning materials in an immediate and
  compelling format, full of colour and movement

- children can work at their own pace and in their own home

- learning with computers is fun

- computer familiarity and confidence are vital skills for the modern
  world - particularly now that there is a micro computer in most
  schools


Hot Dot Spotter - what's it all about?
--------------------------------------

The Hot Dot Spotter is a number game that adapts to the speed and
skill of the child playing it. In the game the player counts the
number of dots on the dropping ball and then presses the numeral key
on the computer keyboard which matches that number. If there are 5
dots on the ball then press the 5 key. It's as simple as that.

In early number work, whether at home, at nursery or in the early
years of the infant or junior school, number matching and number
recognition are very important. The Hot Dot Spotter uses these
important mathematical skills in a game which children can play either
with their parents or alone. The game stimulates the child and the
program itself encourages the child to go on.

The games starts slowly and speeds up as your number skill improves.
At a slow speed, the numbers tend to be low 1, 2, 3, 4 come up most of
the time rather than 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9. This means the younger child can
learn at a slow speed with easy numbers while older children cope with
larger numbers and a faster speed.

How to load and run the program
-------------------------------

1. Assemble the ZX Spectrum as described in your ZX Spectrum handbook.

2. Insert the cassette in your cassette player. Check that the tape is
   at the start. Rewind if necessary.

3. Load the program by typing LOAD"". (On the Spectrum LOAD"" demands
   pressing the following keys: J then SYMBOL SHIFT PP.)

4. Start the cassette player and press ENTER. The computer will now
   load the program. An introductory program featuring the Microchimp
   will run while the main program is loading. Do not stop the tape.

5. When the program has loaded, the screen will show the game is ready
   to run. The message will appear on the screen:

   "What's your name?"

   Type your name (up to 18 letters or spaces) then press ENTER.

   From now on the computer the computer will give you all the
   instructions you will need. Have fun!

6. If the program fails to load run the tape through to the end, turn
   it over and start at instruction 3 again.

7. While the program is running on screen make sure that you don't
   BREAK the program. This will clear the computer memory and you'll
   have to reload the program.

   (Helpful hint: you can use the BREAK key when you have finished
   with the Hot Dot Spotter and want to clear the memory before
   loading another program.)

Hot Dot Spotter - playing the game
----------------------------------

A. When the program has loaded, you will see the amazing
   multi-coloured Hot Dot Dropper on the screen. At the moment it's
   quiet. Just waiting for you to start the game.

B. Don't press anything yet! Have a look at the display. The Hot Dot
   Dropper has room for 4 dot droppers. They're the U-shaped parts
   under the machine. If you like it needn't be just a Hot Dot
   Dropper. It could be a spaceship and its satellites or a computer
   pinball machine. It can be whatever you and your child like to call
   it.

C. On the right of the screen is the Game Score Counter. On top of the
   screen, in the middle, is the High Score Box. Seeing your score
   mount closer and closer to the High Score as you successfully catch
   each ball is a great thrill. The High Score is credited to the
   player who set it. Do note that the High Score record only lasts
   for as long as the program is running. It can't be saved from day
   to day.

D. On the left of the screen, at the top, are 3 small white balls.
   These are the game balls that work the Hot Dot Dropper. If you miss
   a ball you lose a life. When you've missed all three that's your
   game over.

E. Start the game by typing your name (no more than 18 letters or
   spaces in all) and then pressing ENTER. The game won't run unless
   the program knows who's playing. Finally, press P for play.

F. Keep your fingers ready near the number keys. You can only use the
   keys 1-9 in this game. Nothing will happen if you press anything
   else. Make sure you child knows which are the important keys.

G. When the game starts, a large dotted ball drops from the Hot Dot
   Spotter. On the ball are the hot dots you have to count before
   pressing the number key. As the ball drops you will hear a beeping
   noise. This speeds up as the program gets faster.

H. Help your child by counting along with him or her. Give a prompt if
   it's a particularly difficult number. Show that you can make
   mistakes too.

I. If you count correctly and press the right key, the photon beam
   catches your ball and knocks it away, back to the Dropper. Your
   score depends on how quickly you catch the ball. If you hit it in
   the yellow zone you score 3 points, if it's in the pink zone you
   score 2 points, and if it's in the green zone you get 1 point.

J. You only get one chance at each ball (you can't press several keys
   one after another!) and if you miss the ball drops right onto the
   foot of the screen. Then, it slowly counts out the dots before it's
   raked away.

K. When your 3 lives are lost the game is over. Maybe you've set a new
   High Score, maybe not. You can always try again.

A few dos and don'ts
--------------------

Do run through the program with your child.

Do make sure your child knows how to play and understands what happens
when he or she gets the right answer or makes a mistake.

Do help with counting if your child doesn't find the game easy.

Don't let your child get discouraged by making too many mistakes.

Don't worry if your child seems to know the numbers themselves, but
can't relate them to the number of dots. Many young children learn to
say numbers before they understand that 3 means 3 objects. Help by
counting aloud on your fingers, by touching objects as you count, by
pointing to things.

Do encourage very young children to count aloud as they play the game.
If they guess wildly rather than counting, make sure they count
through with you when the ball has dropped.

Don't worry if older children start guessing sensibly at numbers
larger than 6. Number estimation is a skill that can only be acquired
through practice and it's one that most people use all the time.

Other number games to play with young children

- 'Finger play': number rhymes and stones help children to become
  familiar with number names and the meaning of numbers.

- Number dominoes: play with cards divided in half, one half shows a
  group of objects, the other half a numeral. Match each numeral with
  the right number of objects.

- Magnet fishing: use a weak magnet on the end of a piece of string to
  fish up paper clips one by one. The players challenge each other
  with different numbers to collect.

Program specification
---------------------

This program will run on the Sinclair ZX Spectrum 16K or 48K. It was
programmed by Tony Poulter of Quantec Systems and Software Ltd. For
the Longman Group. All queries should be referred to Graham Harding at
the following address:

Longman House
Burnt Mill
Harlow
Essex CM20 2JE.

(transcribed by Allan D'All 31/07/2004)
