The Ugly Duckling CD, appropriate for 1^st through early 3^rd grade, offers a balanced approach to reading instruction. An online teacher's manual accompanies the Ugly Duckling CD. Teachers will find that the CD combined with the online activities at StoryGames Netground will provide a comprehensive, balanced approach to reading instruction.

The lessons and activities in the teacher's manual focus on developing reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills within a holistic and meaningful context. To assure a balanced approach, online phonics games and worksheets at varying levels of difficulty are also available.

Whole language and collaborative learning activities are found in the Lesson Plans and Reading and Writing Activities sections of the manual. A link to Online Games will take the student to a variety of phonics games, on three levels of difficulty. Spelling, vocabulary, and reading comprehension games are also included in this section.

The Ugly Duckling Teacher's manual also includes reproducible activity sheets to accompany both the lesson plans and the reading and writing classroom activities. The Ugly Duckling Technology Projects section offers suggestions for enrichment projects utilizing HyperStudio, KidPix, and Power Point.