Reviewers Note: I do not have a copy of the MicroWorld software that is required to use a good portion of this book. I've based my review of the programming sections of the book on my knowledge of similar programming languages.

Computer Science Pure and Simple for Homeschoolers is an excellent introduction to three of the most common ways that people interact with computers: office skills, computer programming, and website design. Each lesson takes you systematically through the procedures required to perform a specific task. For example in Lesson #1, students learn to create a document in Microsoft Word. They learn to format the font, align text, work with page setup, spell check, grammar check, and save and print the document. The instructions are clearly presented with screenshots to show students exactly what they need to look for on their own screens.

Lessons are presented as a progression of skills. There is not one section for office skills and another for programming. The first lesson on word processing is immediately followed by the first programming lesson. There are 21 lessons in the book. Most are designed to fit a schedule of one lesson a week. For those working in a group setting, the pace would work well. Some of the web design lessons require five to six weeks. An individual student working at home could cover the material much more quickly especially if they were highly motivated.

The programming sections of the book require a software application called MicroWorld that provides a graphic interface for the Logo computer language. Logo is a simplified programming language ideal for beginners. It uses a turtle, a small triangle shape, to help students learn to write commands to make the turtle draw pictures. MicroWorld allows students to see the results of their programming immediately. The publishers of this book also sell MicroWorld 2.0 for a discounted $59.99.

The lessons on programming using MicroWorld are detailed and should be easy for most fifth graders on up to understand and accomplish. The primary programming skill taught in these lessons is logical progress. To make the turtle draw a square, you have to tell the turtle exactly what you want it to do in a logical sequence of steps. Students also get an understanding that programs are a series of commands written in a particular 'language' that a computer can understand. This first book does not teach any of the logic statements common to programming such as if...then...else statements or for...next statements. If you're looking for a book that will help teens learn to program, you'll need to be ready with something more advanced immediately. Most teens would breeze through the programming material rapidly.

Office topics covered in the book include word processing and working with spread sheets, Microsoft Word and Excel to be specific. These lessons are perfect for the beginning word processor user because they take nothing for granted. If your child has been using a typing program and wants to start using the computer to write, these lessons will help them learn to do basic formatting. Lesson #15 is titled Teach Yourself More Word Processing, and that's what it really means. The student uses the Microsoft’s help files to learn about a list of items provided. This includes graphics, word art, and others that probably should have been more thoroughly covered in a second book in the same systematic fashion of previous lessons.

The web lessons teach students how to use the Internet, basic html for putting together simple websites, and how to supercharge your browser. The appendix includes additional web design projects that give systematic instructions for creating a website. Students are taught the html scripting codes for formatting text, adding images, and creating links. Lesson #14 is used in conjunction with Cool Page, a web editor. Although the book says it is free, it is available as a free trial. The trial version includes Cool Page ads and pop-up ads and limits the number of fonts, objects, and applets available. Registration is $28 for Cool Page Standard, which allows you to remove the unwanted parts and get more objects and applets. The trial version will probably suffice to complete the lesson.

A separate answer book is included. Troubleshooting guides for both MicroWorld and html should help solve most problems parents may encounter with the program.

Hands on tutorials are an ideal way to learn ho to use a computer. Computer Science Pure and Simple for Homeschoolers gets kids working immediately taking what they read and applying it. The instructional detail is just right, not over explaining and thereby confusing, nor skipping steps that may be intuitive to more experienced computer users. This book will work well in a homeschool co-op or with individual students particularly those champing at the bit to begin writing their own computer games.

Computer Requirements:
MicroWorld
Microsoft Word and Excel
Cool Page
PC:
Windows 95/98/NT/Me/2000/XP Operating System
486DX processor (66 MHz or better recommended) or Pentium
16 MB RAM,
CD-ROM drive

Mac:
Operating System 7.0 & higher
16 MB RAM
CD-ROM drive