New Homework Help Web Site Takes Fun, Multimedia Approach to Kids’ Toughest Subjects

New York, NY (January 28, 2008) -- Ask kids and parents which school subjects they struggle with the most, and the answer is likely to be math and science. When kids have trouble understanding Aquatic Ecosystems or are stuck on a homework question about Division Equations, where do they turn? Now they can get help finding the answers with Scholastic StudyJams!™ at www.scholastic.com/studyjams, an online learning experience for kids in grades 3-6 that takes the most challenging math and science topics and explains them through animated videos, Karaoke songs, interactive tutorials, quizzes and more. Developed in conjunction with a nationwide panel of teachers, this subscription-based learning service lets kids sing about “Solids, Liquids & Gases,” play a “Mean & Median” basketball game and create their own downloadable song, all while mastering those tough math and science concepts they need to know in order to excel in school.

“Helping explain math and science concepts isn’t always within a parents’ comfort zone,” said Francie Alexander, Chief Academic Officer at Scholastic. “StudyJams! helps break down difficult concepts, and explains them in real world, contemporary ways for all kids.”

When kids enter the personalized StudyJams! site, they are immediately introduced to four animated and very cool middle school mentors, Zoe (the music lover), Sam (the artist), RJ (the sports fan), and Mia (the tech wiz). The StudyJams! mentors cheer kids along as they navigate their way through more than 200 “Jams,” multi-media lessons that include: videos, animated tutorials, slide shows and tuneful Karaoke songs such as “Photosynthesis” and “Rules of Divisibility.”

As kids journey their way through the StudyJams! online world of math and science, they earn points by completing different learning activities. As their new math and science skills add up, so do their virtual points, which can be redeemed at the StudyJams! Online Music Studio, where they can create their own downloadable MP3 StudyJams! music mixes.

“It’s the combination of gaming, music and videos that keeps kids coming back, and the high focus on learning that parents and teachers want,” said David Moricca, Director of Consumer Learning Services for e-Scholastic. “In today’s multimedia world, kids are immersing themselves in rich, interactive experiences at increasingly earlier ages. StudyJams! mirrors this trend and brings the same level of excitement and energy as they might find with entertainment.”

StudyJams! was developed by Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, in conjunction with distinguished elementary math and science teachers to appeal to children with different learning style and levels of achievement.

The program is based on state and national testing standards and operates in a safe, password-protected environment. StudyJams! allows parents the opportunity to manage a master account that includes 3 unique child accounts, so they can easily track the progress of multiple children. The StudyJams! home subscription is $9.95 per month or $99 annually, and includes a 14-day free trial.

StudyJams! is also a great tool for teachers to use in the classroom to introduce and reinforce lessons and get their kids excited about learning. With their own subscription to StudyJams!, teachers will be able to bring math and science lessons to life, getting the whole class singing their favorite math and science Karaoke songs. StudyJams! is available to educators for an annual subscription rate of $79 and comes with one teacher account.

For more information about StudyJams! or to subscribe, visit www.scholastic.com/studyjams.

For more information about Scholastic, visit www.scholastic.com.

Contacts:
Scholastic
Sara Sinek
212-343-6899
ssinek@scholastic.com

Scholastic
Sarah Trabucchi
212-343-6424
strabucchi@scholastic.com

Scholastic
Paul Niemi
212-343-6402
pniemi@scholastic.com