JumpStart
Encyclopedia
JumpStart is an educational media franchise
for children, consisting mostly of educational game
s, produced by Knowledge Adventure
. The series is distributed as Jump Ahead in the United Kingdom
. It originally consisted of a series of educational PC games, but has expanded to include workbooks, videos, iPad apps, and other media - including, perhaps most significantly, a massively multiplayer online game
located at JumpStart.com, first launched March 10, 2009.
games under the Fundamentals name).
A "spin-off" for the JumpStart Advanced games, JumpStart Advanced Study Helpers, was also created. It includes JumpStart Study Helpers Math Booster and its sister game, JumpStart Study Helpers Spelling Bee.
with the exception of Edison Firefly who flies under the characters and is in 2D
and does not have his own learning style, but instead is a button that is pressed when the user is done answering a question. From there, the player can either click on any character to use it as his learning style or can take a quiz (a kind of personality quiz
) to find out his appropriate learning style. As much as 3 answers can be chosen for each question. Usually, when the player plays an educational activity or game, a star will appear in the corner of the screen. When clicked, a stylized walkie-talkie
pops up with buttons for all seven of the characters that represent a learning style. The one selected by the player or the learning quiz at the start will be selected first, though other characters can be clicked. The characters will give tips on the subject being practiced in the game based on their learning style (for example, Kisha Koala is "the artist" and teaches using pictures). Some arrow buttons may be used to scroll through skills so other subjects can be learned about. An online version is available, though there are a few differences (for example, in the online version, Edison is absent the characters are in 2D graphics and it seems to be aimed towards the parent, not the student. Also, two learning styles are chosen in the end). In JumpStart Advanced 2nd Grade, the characters in the All-Stars wear sunglasses
, but otherwise resemble their appearances in the other JumpStart Advanced games.
Below is a list of each character/learning style in All-Stars. Each character has a sort of title, such as "team leader" or "scientist".
Casey, the athlete: A cat
who first appeared in JumpStart Preschool. In order to teach students, Casey often uses sports-related examples and sometimes jumps a certain amount of times to convey something. In the online quiz, if Casey is chosen as the student's learning style, it will say he teaches using bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. If the "Learn more about Casey" link is clicked, Casey will be described as a ball of energy who loves sports and attention and hates growing up.
C.J., the scientist
: A frog
who first appeared in JumpStart 2nd Grade. C.J. teaches using science and nature related examples and situations. In the online quiz, if C.J. is chosen as the student's learning style, it will say he teaches using naturalistic intelligence and is good at observing. If the "Learn more about C.J." link is clicked, C.J. is said to be fearless and to love adventure
, mysteries and challenges. He is also said to secretly desire to be an international spy when he grows up.
Eleanor, the reader: An elephant
who first appeared in JumpStart Preschool whose tips are language arts
and reading
related. In the online quiz, if Eleanor is chosen as the student's learning style, it will say she teaches using linguistic intelligence. If the "Learn more about Eleanor" link is clicked, Eleanor is said to often write, act in plays, dance, and talk. She is also noted to collect quotations, facts, and trivia and to own a tattered journal. She wants to be a famous writer someday.
Frankie, the team leader: A dog
who first appeared in JumpStart 1st Grade
. Despite being called "the team leader", the tips he gives have little or nothing to do with leadership. Instead, he uses people and real-life situations as examples. In the online quiz, if Frankie is chosen as the student's learning style, it will say he teaches using interpersonal intelligence. If the "Learn more about Frankie" link is clicked, it says that he tries to be a friend to everybody, sometimes gets nosy a bit too often but tries to find a peaceful solution, and would enjoy running for office upon growing up if there's enough bones and chew toys. His shirt in the All-Stars is different than the one he wears in the actual JumpStart Advanced games, as it has blue stripes and designs absent elsewhere.
Hopsalot, the math whiz: A rabbit
who first appeared in JumpStart Kindergarten
. His tips seem to be more straightforward than the tips of other characters. The online quiz says that Hopsalot uses number
s, logic
, and problem solving
to teach. In the online quiz, if Hopsalot is chosen as the student's learning style, it will say he teaches using logical-mathematical intelligence. If the "Learn more about Hopsalot" link is clicked, Hopsalot is described as a genius
who frequently invents gadgets, solves problems, and improves his vedgetable garden.
Kisha, the artist
: A koala
who first appeared in JumpStart Preschool, Kisha uses pictures to teach. In the online quiz, if Kisha is chosen as the student's learning style, it will say she teaches using visual-spatial intelligence. If the "Learn more about Kisha" link is clicked, it says that Kisha is a sage
and a philosopher as well as an artist. It also mentions that the only thing that she is really uptight about is a particular clumsy bear and curious cat that, supposedly, ruin her masterpieces. This is probably referring to Pierre and Casey.
Pierre, the musician
: A polar bear
who first appeared in JumpStart Preschool, Pierre uses music, songs, and sounds in his tips. In the online quiz, if Pierre is chosen as the student's learning style, it will say she teaches using musical intelligence. If the "Learn more about Pierre" link is clicked, Pierre is said to love playing - both music and games. He is noted to find following instructions hard unless they are presented in a fun way.
JumpStart Reading for Kindergarteners (originally JumpStart Kindergarten Reading - teaches language arts
to kindergarten
children)
JumpStart Math for First Graders (originally JumpStart 1st Grade Math - teaches mathematics
to children of the first grade
)
JumpStart Reading for First Graders (originally JumpStart 1st Grade Reading - teaches language arts
to children of the first grade level)
JumpStart Math for Second Graders (originally JumpStart 2nd Grade Math - teaches mathematics to children of the second grade
level)
JumpStart Spanish (teaches the Spanish language
)
JumpStart Typing
(teaches quick keyboard use)
JumpStart Math for Kindergarteners (teaches mathematics to kindergarten children)
JumpStart Reading for Second Graders (teaches language arts to children of the second grade level)
JumpStart Numbers (teaches mathematics for preschool-3rd grade)
JumpStart Spelling (teaches spelling
for preschool-3rd grade)
JumpStart Music (teaches music-related skills for preschool-3rd grade - later included as a bonus disc with JumpStart Advanced 1st Grade)
JumpStart Phonics (teaches phonics
- updated significantly in later years, and later replaced by JumpStart Phonics Read & Rhyme)
JumpStart ABC's (teaches the English alphabet
)
JumpStart Languages (teaches the Spanish language, the French language
, and the Japanese language
- later renamed Language Club and included as a bonus disc with JumpStart Advanced Preschool)
JumpStart Animal Adventures (teaches simple zoology
- later renamed Animal Field Trip and included as a bonus disc with JumpStart Advanced Kindergarten)
JumpStart Explorers (teaches mainly history
, but also teaches a few other skills, such as following directions)
JumpStart Artist (teaches art history, creativity, facts about art, and following directions)
JumpStart Study Helpers Spelling Bee (teaches spelling; later included with JumpStart Advanced Study Helpers)
JumpStart Study Helpers Math Booster (teaches mathematics; later included with JumpStart Advanced Study Helpers)
JumpStart Phonics Read & Rhyme (originally JumpStart Reading with Karaoke - a replacement for JumpStart Phonics that teaches the same skills)
There have been a few JumpStart games which have been based on neither subject or grade level; JumpStart SpyMasters: Unmask the Prankster
, JumpStart Spy Masters: Max Strikes Back, and JumpStart 3D Virtual World
(though 3D Virtual World was originally grade-based).
, other educational products have been produced under the JumpStart name. For example, a large collection of books (with the majority being workbooks) have been created by a cooperative effort between Knowledge Adventure and Scholastic. They have been manufactured for 4 grade levels: Pre-K, Kindergarten
, first grade
, and second grade
. The workbooks feature characters from the particular grade level, though another kind of JumpStart book, "JumpStart Readers" (storybooks intended to teach reading
skills) sometimes feature characters from other grade levels. The workbooks also feature a sticker reward system and offer "tips".
There have also been multiple JumpStart games produced for systems other than the PC and Mac; JumpStart Dino Adventure, a game for the Game Boy Color
, JumpStart Wildlife Safari, a game for the PlayStation
, JumpStart: Escape from Adventure Island for the Wii
, JumpStart Pet Rescue, a game for the Wii, and JumpStart Get Moving Family Fitness, a game for the Wii.
4 JumpStart DVD games (JumpStart Frankie's Field Trip, JumpStart Power Prep 2nd Grade, JumpStart Power Prep 3rd Grade and JumpStart Power Prep 4th Grade), known as "iDVDs", have also been made by Knowledge Adventure.
Several JumpStart apps for the iPad
(and some of which can also play on the iPhone
have been created - JumpStart Preschool: Magic of Learning, JumpStart Punk Punk Blitz, JumpStart Jetpack , JumpStart Art Studio, and JumpStart Roller Squash.
A few JumpStart toys have also been produced.
Media franchise
A media franchise is an intellectual property involving the characters, setting and trademarks of an original work of media , such as a film, a work of literature, a television program or a video game. Generally, a whole series is made in a particular medium, along with merchandising and endorsements...
for children, consisting mostly of educational game
Educational game
Educational games are games that have been designed to teach people about a certain subject, expand concepts, reinforce development, understand an historical event or culture, or assist them in learning a skill as they play...
s, produced by Knowledge Adventure
Knowledge Adventure
Knowledge Adventure, Inc. is a maker of educational software including the Adiboo and JumpStart series of grade-based and subject-based titles, such as My First Encyclopedia. It was established in the late 1980s in Los Angeles, then later merged with another large education software firm, Davidson...
. The series is distributed as Jump Ahead in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It originally consisted of a series of educational PC games, but has expanded to include workbooks, videos, iPad apps, and other media - including, perhaps most significantly, a massively multiplayer online game
Massively multiplayer online game
A massively multiplayer online game is a multiplayer video game which is capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously. By necessity, they are played on the Internet, and usually feature at least one persistent world. They are, however, not necessarily games played on...
located at JumpStart.com, first launched March 10, 2009.
History
The original JumpStart games were created between 1994 and 1998 with a few upgrades. In 2000, all games were given new covers and a second disc. In 2002, most of the games were changed and given the title "JumpStart Advanced". In 2003, all JumpStart Advanced products were given 3 discs and in 2007, 4 discs.JumpStart Advanced
The JumpStart Advanced packages could be considered to be the games officially included in the series. They are grade-based and range from toddlers, preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-6, with grades 4-6 bundled in one package. The first products to be called JumpStart Advanced were created in 2002; they ranged from Preschool to 2nd Grade and were intended to replace the previous versions of the games. Since then, bonus discs have been added, and the games for toddlers and grades 3-6 have been renamed and sold as JumpStart Advanced packages as well. Currently, all the games from toddlers-3rd grade contain 4 discs, with the 4th-6th grade package containing a total of 5 discs. The "Fundamentals" disc in the Preschool-2nd Grade packages is the JumpStart Advanced game that was released in 2002 (though it should be noted that some JumpStart Advanced packages have a factory error, meaning that they contain JumpStart 3D Virtual WorldJumpStart 3D Virtual World
JumpStart 3D Virtual World is a sub-series of the larger JumpStart series of educational games. It was originally titled JumpStart World.The series contains 4 games:...
games under the Fundamentals name).
- JumpStart Advanced Toddlers package
- Disc One - Discovery Time
- Disc Two - Explore & Learn Time
- Disc Three - School Time
- Disc Four - Sing-Along Time
- JumpStart Advanced Preschool package
- Disc One - Fundamentals (originally JumpStart Advanced Preschool - JumpStart 3D Virtual World: My First Adventure in the error packages)
- Disc Two - Language Club (JumpStart Languages)
- Disc Three - Art for Fun
- Disc Four - Explore & Learn (JumpStart Preschool 1995 version)
- JumpStart Advanced Kindergarten package
- Disc One - Fundamentals (originally JumpStart Advanced Kindergarten - JumpStart 3D Virtual World: The Legend of Grizzly McGuffin in the error packages)
- Disc Two - Animal Field Trip (JumpStart Animal Adventures)
- Disc Three - Arts and Crafts
- Disc Four – Pet Playground (Kid Keys in the error packages)
- JumpStart Advanced 1st Grade package
- Disc One - Fundamentals (originally JumpStart Advanced 1st GradeJumpStart Advanced 1st GradeJumpStart Advanced 1st Grade is a personal computer game created by Knowledge Adventure. It replaced the previous JumpStart 1st Grade released in 1995 and updated in 2000. As its name suggests, it was made to teach first grade students...
- JumpStart 3D Virtual World: Trouble in Town in the error packages) - Disc Two - Music (JumpStart Music, a.k.a. JumpStart Learning Games: Music)
- Disc Three - Art Club
- Disc Four - Pet Playground (Kid Keys in the error packages)
- Disc One - Fundamentals (originally JumpStart Advanced 1st Grade
- JumpStart Advanced 2nd Grade package
- Disc One - Fundamentals (originally JumpStart Advanced 2nd GradeJumpStart Advanced 2nd GradeJumpStart Advanced 2nd Grade is a personal computer game created by Knowledge Adventure. It replaced the previous JumpStart 2nd Grade released in 1996. As its name suggests, it was made to teach second grade students...
- JumpStart 3D Virtual World: The Quest for the Color Meister in the error packages) - Disc Two - Field Trip Adventure (Around the World, 2nd Grade version)
- Disc Three - Mystery Club Vol. 1
- Disc Four - Pet Playground (Kid Keys in the error packages)
- Disc One - Fundamentals (originally JumpStart Advanced 2nd Grade
- JumpStart Advanced 3rd Grade package
- Disc One - Fundamentals (JumpStart Adventures 3rd Grade: Mystery MountainJumpStart Adventures 3rd Grade: Mystery MountainJumpStart Adventures 3rd Grade: Mystery Mountain is a personal computer game in Knowledge Adventure's JumpStart series of educational software. As the title suggests, the game is intended to teach a third grade curriculum. This is the only version of this game created and, unusually for Knowledge...
) - Disc Two - Far-Out Field Trips (Adventure Challenge, 3rd Grade version)
- Disc Three - Mystery Club Vol. 2
- Disc Four - Language Arts Challenge
- Disc One - Fundamentals (JumpStart Adventures 3rd Grade: Mystery Mountain
- JumpStart Advanced 4th-6th Grade package
- Disc One - 4th Grade Fundamentals (JumpStart Adventures 4th Grade: Sapphire FallsJumpStart Adventures 4th Grade: Sapphire FallsJumpStart Adventures 4th Grade: Sapphire Falls is a personal computer game released by Knowledge Adventure in 2000 to replace their earlier JumpStart Adventures 4th Grade: Haunted Island released in 1996. Despite the name being the same, this product contains no characters or storyline elements in...
) - Disc Two - 5th Grade Fundamentals (JumpStart Adventures 5th Grade: Jo Hammet, Kid DetectiveJumpStart Adventures 5th Grade: Jo Hammet, Kid DetectiveJumpStart Adventures 5th Grade: Jo Hammet, Kid Detective is an educational/adventure computer game in the JumpStart series, created by Knowledge Adventure in 1997 and intended for fifth grade students...
) - Disc Three – 6th Grade Fundamentals (JumpStart Adventures 6th Grade: Mission EarthquestJumpStart Adventures 6th Grade: Mission EarthquestJumpStart Adventures 6th Grade: Mission Earthquest is a game created by Knowledge Adventure in the JumpStart series. In this game A.R.T., a computer with artificial intelligence, has gone haywire, and now wants to "redesign the chaotic system that is Earth"...
) - Disc Four – Math & Science Challenge
- Disc Five - Language Arts Challenge
- Disc One - 4th Grade Fundamentals (JumpStart Adventures 4th Grade: Sapphire Falls
A "spin-off" for the JumpStart Advanced games, JumpStart Advanced Study Helpers, was also created. It includes JumpStart Study Helpers Math Booster and its sister game, JumpStart Study Helpers Spelling Bee.
All-Stars
In the original 2002 versions of the JumpStart Advanced Preschool-2nd Grade products, there is a feature known as the "All-Stars". The backbone of the feature is seven different "learning styles"; supposedly, one is how the player learns best. Once the user first types in his name on the sign-in menu, a screen appears featuring all of the main JumpStart characters for second grade and under in 3D3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
with the exception of Edison Firefly who flies under the characters and is in 2D
2D computer graphics
2D computer graphics is the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models and by techniques specific to them...
and does not have his own learning style, but instead is a button that is pressed when the user is done answering a question. From there, the player can either click on any character to use it as his learning style or can take a quiz (a kind of personality quiz
Personality quiz
A personality quiz is a series of questions that intends to reveal something about the person who answers them. The personality quiz, unlike a knowledge quiz, has no definite set of right or wrong answers...
) to find out his appropriate learning style. As much as 3 answers can be chosen for each question. Usually, when the player plays an educational activity or game, a star will appear in the corner of the screen. When clicked, a stylized walkie-talkie
Walkie-talkie
A walkie-talkie is a hand-held, portable, two-way radio transceiver. Its development during the Second World War has been variously credited to Donald L. Hings, radio engineer Alfred J. Gross, and engineering teams at Motorola...
pops up with buttons for all seven of the characters that represent a learning style. The one selected by the player or the learning quiz at the start will be selected first, though other characters can be clicked. The characters will give tips on the subject being practiced in the game based on their learning style (for example, Kisha Koala is "the artist" and teaches using pictures). Some arrow buttons may be used to scroll through skills so other subjects can be learned about. An online version is available, though there are a few differences (for example, in the online version, Edison is absent the characters are in 2D graphics and it seems to be aimed towards the parent, not the student. Also, two learning styles are chosen in the end). In JumpStart Advanced 2nd Grade, the characters in the All-Stars wear sunglasses
Sunglasses
Sunglasses or sun glasses are a form of protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent bright sunlight and high-energy visible light from damaging or discomforting the eyes. They can sometimes also function as a visual aid, as variously termed spectacles or glasses exist, featuring lenses that...
, but otherwise resemble their appearances in the other JumpStart Advanced games.
Below is a list of each character/learning style in All-Stars. Each character has a sort of title, such as "team leader" or "scientist".
Casey, the athlete: A cat
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
who first appeared in JumpStart Preschool. In order to teach students, Casey often uses sports-related examples and sometimes jumps a certain amount of times to convey something. In the online quiz, if Casey is chosen as the student's learning style, it will say he teaches using bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. If the "Learn more about Casey" link is clicked, Casey will be described as a ball of energy who loves sports and attention and hates growing up.
C.J., the scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
: A frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
who first appeared in JumpStart 2nd Grade. C.J. teaches using science and nature related examples and situations. In the online quiz, if C.J. is chosen as the student's learning style, it will say he teaches using naturalistic intelligence and is good at observing. If the "Learn more about C.J." link is clicked, C.J. is said to be fearless and to love adventure
Adventure
An adventure is defined as an exciting or unusual experience; it may also be a bold, usually risky undertaking, with an uncertain outcome. The term is often used to refer to activities with some potential for physical danger, such as skydiving, mountain climbing and or participating in extreme sports...
, mysteries and challenges. He is also said to secretly desire to be an international spy when he grows up.
Eleanor, the reader: An elephant
Elephant
Elephants are large land mammals in two extant genera of the family Elephantidae: Elephas and Loxodonta, with the third genus Mammuthus extinct...
who first appeared in JumpStart Preschool whose tips are language arts
Language arts
Traditionally, the primary divisions in the language arts are Literature and Language, where language in this case refers to both linguistics, and specific languages....
and reading
Reading (process)
Reading is a complex cognitive process of decoding symbols for the intention of constructing or deriving meaning . It is a means of language acquisition, of communication, and of sharing information and ideas...
related. In the online quiz, if Eleanor is chosen as the student's learning style, it will say she teaches using linguistic intelligence. If the "Learn more about Eleanor" link is clicked, Eleanor is said to often write, act in plays, dance, and talk. She is also noted to collect quotations, facts, and trivia and to own a tattered journal. She wants to be a famous writer someday.
Frankie, the team leader: A dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
who first appeared in JumpStart 1st Grade
JumpStart 1st Grade
JumpStart 1st Grade is an personal computer game created by Knowledge Adventure in 1994 intended to teach a 1st grade curriculum. It was updated significantly in 2000 and was replaced JumpStart Advanced 1st Grade in 2002, which was later replaced by JumpStart 3D Virtual World: Trouble in Town...
. Despite being called "the team leader", the tips he gives have little or nothing to do with leadership. Instead, he uses people and real-life situations as examples. In the online quiz, if Frankie is chosen as the student's learning style, it will say he teaches using interpersonal intelligence. If the "Learn more about Frankie" link is clicked, it says that he tries to be a friend to everybody, sometimes gets nosy a bit too often but tries to find a peaceful solution, and would enjoy running for office upon growing up if there's enough bones and chew toys. His shirt in the All-Stars is different than the one he wears in the actual JumpStart Advanced games, as it has blue stripes and designs absent elsewhere.
Hopsalot, the math whiz: A rabbit
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
who first appeared in JumpStart Kindergarten
JumpStart Kindergarten
JumpStart Kindergarten is an educational personal computer game released by Knowledge Adventure in 1994. It was the first product released in the JumpStart series and, as its name suggests, it is intended to teach Kindergarten students...
. His tips seem to be more straightforward than the tips of other characters. The online quiz says that Hopsalot uses number
Number
A number is a mathematical object used to count and measure. In mathematics, the definition of number has been extended over the years to include such numbers as zero, negative numbers, rational numbers, irrational numbers, and complex numbers....
s, logic
Logic
In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
, and problem solving
Problem solving
Problem solving is a mental process and is part of the larger problem process that includes problem finding and problem shaping. Consideredthe most complex of all intellectual functions, problem solving has been defined as higher-order cognitive process that requires the modulation and control of...
to teach. In the online quiz, if Hopsalot is chosen as the student's learning style, it will say he teaches using logical-mathematical intelligence. If the "Learn more about Hopsalot" link is clicked, Hopsalot is described as a genius
Genius
Genius is something or someone embodying exceptional intellectual ability, creativity, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of unprecedented insight....
who frequently invents gadgets, solves problems, and improves his vedgetable garden.
Kisha, the artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
: A koala
Koala
The koala is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, and the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae....
who first appeared in JumpStart Preschool, Kisha uses pictures to teach. In the online quiz, if Kisha is chosen as the student's learning style, it will say she teaches using visual-spatial intelligence. If the "Learn more about Kisha" link is clicked, it says that Kisha is a sage
Wise old man
The wise old man is an archetype as described by Carl Jung, as well as a classic literary figure, and may be seen as a stock character...
and a philosopher as well as an artist. It also mentions that the only thing that she is really uptight about is a particular clumsy bear and curious cat that, supposedly, ruin her masterpieces. This is probably referring to Pierre and Casey.
Pierre, the musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
: A polar bear
Polar Bear
The polar bear is a bear native largely within the Arctic Circle encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is the world's largest land carnivore and also the largest bear, together with the omnivorous Kodiak Bear, which is approximately the same size...
who first appeared in JumpStart Preschool, Pierre uses music, songs, and sounds in his tips. In the online quiz, if Pierre is chosen as the student's learning style, it will say she teaches using musical intelligence. If the "Learn more about Pierre" link is clicked, Pierre is said to love playing - both music and games. He is noted to find following instructions hard unless they are presented in a fun way.
Other JumpStart Games
JumpStart has also created games based on subjects rather than grade levels, as well as a total of 6 games which are based on both. Below is a list of such games, roughly in order of creation.JumpStart Reading for Kindergarteners (originally JumpStart Kindergarten Reading - teaches language arts
Language arts
Traditionally, the primary divisions in the language arts are Literature and Language, where language in this case refers to both linguistics, and specific languages....
to kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
children)
JumpStart Math for First Graders (originally JumpStart 1st Grade Math - teaches mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
to children of the first grade
First grade
First grade is a year of primary education in schools in the United States and English-speaking provinces of Canada. It is the first school year after kindergarten...
)
JumpStart Reading for First Graders (originally JumpStart 1st Grade Reading - teaches language arts
Language arts
Traditionally, the primary divisions in the language arts are Literature and Language, where language in this case refers to both linguistics, and specific languages....
to children of the first grade level)
JumpStart Math for Second Graders (originally JumpStart 2nd Grade Math - teaches mathematics to children of the second grade
Second grade
In the United States, second grade is a year of primary education. Second grade is the second school year after kindergarten. Students are traditionally 7–8 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs....
level)
JumpStart Spanish (teaches the Spanish language
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
)
JumpStart Typing
JumpStart Typing
JumpStart Typing is a personal computer game intended to teach typing skills to kids aged seven to ten. The game seems to be set in the same "universe" as JumpStart Adventures 3rd Grade: Mystery Mountain....
(teaches quick keyboard use)
JumpStart Math for Kindergarteners (teaches mathematics to kindergarten children)
JumpStart Reading for Second Graders (teaches language arts to children of the second grade level)
JumpStart Numbers (teaches mathematics for preschool-3rd grade)
JumpStart Spelling (teaches spelling
Spelling
Spelling is the writing of one or more words with letters and diacritics. In addition, the term often, but not always, means an accepted standard spelling or the process of naming the letters...
for preschool-3rd grade)
JumpStart Music (teaches music-related skills for preschool-3rd grade - later included as a bonus disc with JumpStart Advanced 1st Grade)
JumpStart Phonics (teaches phonics
Phonics
Phonics refers to a method for teaching speakers of English to read and write that language. Phonics involves teaching how to connect the sounds of spoken English with letters or groups of letters and teaching them to blend the sounds of letters together to produce approximate pronunciations...
- updated significantly in later years, and later replaced by JumpStart Phonics Read & Rhyme)
JumpStart ABC's (teaches the English alphabet
English alphabet
The modern English alphabet is a Latin alphabet consisting of 26 letters and 2 ligatures – the same letters that are found in the Basic modern Latin alphabet:...
)
JumpStart Languages (teaches the Spanish language, the French language
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, and the Japanese language
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
- later renamed Language Club and included as a bonus disc with JumpStart Advanced Preschool)
JumpStart Animal Adventures (teaches simple zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
- later renamed Animal Field Trip and included as a bonus disc with JumpStart Advanced Kindergarten)
JumpStart Explorers (teaches mainly history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, but also teaches a few other skills, such as following directions)
JumpStart Artist (teaches art history, creativity, facts about art, and following directions)
JumpStart Study Helpers Spelling Bee (teaches spelling; later included with JumpStart Advanced Study Helpers)
JumpStart Study Helpers Math Booster (teaches mathematics; later included with JumpStart Advanced Study Helpers)
JumpStart Phonics Read & Rhyme (originally JumpStart Reading with Karaoke - a replacement for JumpStart Phonics that teaches the same skills)
There have been a few JumpStart games which have been based on neither subject or grade level; JumpStart SpyMasters: Unmask the Prankster
JumpStart SpyMasters: Unmask the Prankster
JumpStart SpyMasters: Unmask the Prankster is a personal computer game made by Knowledge Adventure where the user must stop the Prankster. As in other JumpStart games, one has to solve educational problems to complete the game.-HQ:...
, JumpStart Spy Masters: Max Strikes Back, and JumpStart 3D Virtual World
JumpStart 3D Virtual World
JumpStart 3D Virtual World is a sub-series of the larger JumpStart series of educational games. It was originally titled JumpStart World.The series contains 4 games:...
(though 3D Virtual World was originally grade-based).
Other Products
Although JumpStart was originally a series of personal computer gamesPersonal Computer Games
Personal Computer Games was a multi-format UK computer games mag of the early/mid eighties.-History:It is famous for launching the careers of several notable games journalists of the '80s including Bob Wade, Peter Connor and Chris Anderson. Anderson would later launch Amstrad Action, and Future...
, other educational products have been produced under the JumpStart name. For example, a large collection of books (with the majority being workbooks) have been created by a cooperative effort between Knowledge Adventure and Scholastic. They have been manufactured for 4 grade levels: Pre-K, Kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
, first grade
First grade
First grade is a year of primary education in schools in the United States and English-speaking provinces of Canada. It is the first school year after kindergarten...
, and second grade
Second grade
In the United States, second grade is a year of primary education. Second grade is the second school year after kindergarten. Students are traditionally 7–8 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs....
. The workbooks feature characters from the particular grade level, though another kind of JumpStart book, "JumpStart Readers" (storybooks intended to teach reading
Reading (process)
Reading is a complex cognitive process of decoding symbols for the intention of constructing or deriving meaning . It is a means of language acquisition, of communication, and of sharing information and ideas...
skills) sometimes feature characters from other grade levels. The workbooks also feature a sticker reward system and offer "tips".
There have also been multiple JumpStart games produced for systems other than the PC and Mac; JumpStart Dino Adventure, a game for the Game Boy Color
Game Boy Color
The is Nintendo's successor to the 8-bit Game Boy handheld game console, and was released on October 21, 1998 in Japan, November 19, 1998 in North America, November 23, 1998 in Europe and November 27, 1998 in the United Kingdom. It features a color screen and is slightly thicker and taller than...
, JumpStart Wildlife Safari, a game for the PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
, JumpStart: Escape from Adventure Island for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
, JumpStart Pet Rescue, a game for the Wii, and JumpStart Get Moving Family Fitness, a game for the Wii.
4 JumpStart DVD games (JumpStart Frankie's Field Trip, JumpStart Power Prep 2nd Grade, JumpStart Power Prep 3rd Grade and JumpStart Power Prep 4th Grade), known as "iDVDs", have also been made by Knowledge Adventure.
Several JumpStart apps for the iPad
IPad
The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed, developed and marketed by Apple Inc., primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. The iPad was introduced on January 27, 2010 by Apple's then-CEO Steve Jobs. Its size and...
(and some of which can also play on the iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
have been created - JumpStart Preschool: Magic of Learning, JumpStart Punk Punk Blitz, JumpStart Jetpack , JumpStart Art Studio, and JumpStart Roller Squash.
A few JumpStart toys have also been produced.