Sum Scruncher
from Micromega Longman Software

Can you beat the number maze?
You must evade the frantic chasers and time your moves to the
second - as well as getting your numbers right!
Six levels of difficulty for sums of all sorts.
For children from 6 upwards

Longman Software - the new generation of learning materials. Each
program is based on well-tried educational theories, brought alive by
the creative wizardy 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 counting and mathematical
problems, 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

                      Notes for parents
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Introduction
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Sum Scruncher is a number game for children aged 6 years and upwards
which practises the skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication
and division. It has been designed for use by young children on their
own though parental involvement and support may be helpful in the
early stages. These notes are to help you and your child get the most
out of this program.

Longman Software
""""""""""""""""
Sum Scruncher 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

Sum Scruncher - what's it all about?
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Sum Scruncher is a maths game, in which your child controls the
tireless Microbug. Microbug's mission is to explore the corridors
of an underground maze in search of the answers to a series of
computer-generated problems. Although this may sound easy, Microbug
is continually chased round the corridors by a stupid but speedy
serpent whose appetite for Microbugs knows no bounds.

You can use Sum Scruncher to practise all sorts of sums. Choose from
adding, taking away, multiplying or dividing. The game has 6
difficulty levels so your child can choose which level to work at.

Throughout infant and junior school, adding, taking away, multiplying
and dividing are tremendously important. Sum Scruncher gives children
endless practice in these essential skills.

Sum Scruncher - playing the game
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A When the program has loaded you will be asked which skill you want
  to practise, and how difficult you want the game to be. Press the
  number key for the choice you make. Your choice of level starts the
  game.
B You will now see Microbug trapped in the corridors of the maze, with
  one of the 20 speedy serpents already on the move. There are
  35 number gates in the thick walls of the corridors; some of these
  are the answers to the problems, and some are just there to confuse
  you and the Microbug even more. Both Microbug and the chasing
  serpent have the power to pass through the gaps in the corridors.
C Microbug is now under your control. Use the four cursor keys to
  position Microbug directly beneath the answer to the problem shown
  at the bottom of the screen. Once Microbug is in position, press
  CURSOR UP to 'scrunch' the answer. Don't forget to watch out for
  the serpent - you've only got 5 lives!
D If Microbug goes to an incorrect answer, it will be stunned for a
  while, but will soon recover enough strength to continue on its
  mission. If Microbug finds the right answer, the number is
  'scrunched' and a new gap appears in the wall. At the same time, the
  serpent disappears for ever. unfortunately, a new serpent emerges
  from the nest of eggs to continue the chase. If the serpent gets
  Microbug before the correct answer is 'scrunched', then Microbug
  changes colour and loses one of its 5 precious lives.
E The frame finishes when Microbug has outwitted all the serpents or
  when Microbug's 5 lives are lost. Your score will be shown in the
  Score Box. No points are lost for incorrect answers. When all 20
  serpents have hatched from the nest, or when Microbug has no lives
  left, you get a new frame; 3 frames make a game. At the end of each
  game you have the chance to change to problems on a new difficulty
  level.

A few dos and don'ts
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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 makes a mistake.
Do make sure that you let your child use the options that he or she
  is familiar with. For example, division is covered much later in
  schools than the other basic maths skills.
Don't let your child get discouraged by making too many mistakes.
Don't worry if your child tries to guess the answers to the more
  difficult problems. This will help in number estimation.
Do practise number games with your child whenever you can.

Other number games and activities
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- Number rhymes and stories help children to become familiar with
  number names and the meaning of numbers.
- 'Countabout', 'Hot Dot Spotter' and 'Robot Runner' (also in the
  Early Learning range of Longman Software) help with number
  recognition and practice.
- Number dominoes: play with cards divided in half. One half shows
  a group of objects, the other half a numeral. You have to match
  each numeral with the number of objects.
- Counting games: 'How many cakes on the plate? And if I add 2 more?
  How many then?' Or 'Here are 2 pears and 3 apples. Are there the
  same number of apples as there are pears?'
- Many other children's games such as ludo, fives, hopscotch, marbles
  and card games help with number recognition and simple maths
  problems.
- Try to develop the child's command of the words we use when talking
  about numbers: the same as; less than; add; take away; plus; minus;
  makes; leaves; left; all together; equals; times; into;
  multiplied by; divided by: There's no need to teach the words. Just
  use them naturally and help your child to understand them if he or
  she seems in doubt.
- Finally, remember that you can play number games anywhere, anytime:
  watching television, in the car, at the launderette, in the garden.
