Houghton Mifflin Co. News Release - October 25, 2005

Inspiration Software and Great Source Collaborate to Develop Resources for Using Graphic Organizers to Improve Student Reading Comprehension

New Reader's Handbook Integration Guide for Inspiration Combines Power of Visual Learning With Proven Instructional Strategies

DENVER — October 25, 2005 — Today at the National School Boards Association's T+L^® conference, Inspiration Software^® and Great Source Education Group^®, a division of Houghton Mifflin Company, announced a collaboration that combines Inspiration^®, the leading visual learning software, with Great Source's premier reading comprehension materials — providing teachers with powerful tools for using graphic organizers to improve reading comprehension. Developed by the two companies, the new Reader’s Handbook Integration Guide for Inspiration provides lesson plans and activity ideas using Inspiration graphic organizers to support the learning strategies found in Great Source's Reader's Handbook: A Guide for Reading and Learning, Grades 6–8.

"At Inspiration Software, we are committed to providing educators with great tools that will ensure that their students achieve at the highest levels," said Mona Westhaver, president and cofounder, Inspiration Software. "By collaborating with Great Source to integrate visual learning techniques with resources for teaching reading across the curriculum, we will help teachers discover new ways to use graphic organizers to build student reading comprehension."

Using the instructional strategies in the handbook combined with visual learning software, teachers will help students develop an in-depth understanding of the before, during, and after reading processes; build essential reading skills and strategies for comprehending different types of reading materials and genres; and learn and apply key reading strategies and comprehension tools. In addition to classroom strategies, the guide includes a CD-ROM with 36 Inspiration templates that align to each of the handbook's core reading tools.

"By integrating the Reader's Handbook with the award-winning Inspiration software, we are providing teachers with the essential tools to enable students to be more successful, independent and strategic readers," said John Kissell, manager of business development, Great Source Education Group.

The Reader's Handbook Integration Guide is available November 4 from Great Source and Inspiration Software for $34.95. Both companies will also offer the Reader's Handbook Integration Guide Bundle, which includes the guide and a single Inspiration license for $94.95. For more information or to purchase, visit www.inspiration.com/gs or www.greatsource.com/inspiration.

About Inspiration Software, Inc.
Recognized as the leader in visual thinking and learning, Inspiration Software, Inc., develops and publishes innovative software tools that inspire learners of all ages to brainstorm, organize, plan and create. With more than 15 million users worldwide, the company's award-winning software is revolutionizing visual learning in education — inspiring students to develop strong thinking and organizational skills and improve their academic performance. Founded by Donald Helfgott and Mona Westhaver, the company's mission is to support improvements in education and make a positive difference in students' lives by providing software tools that help students learn to think.

About Great Source Education Group
Great Source Education Group, a division of Houghton Mifflin, publishes curriculum-based supplemental resources for students and teachers in grades pre-K through 12, as well as for parents and homeschoolers. With offerings in the core curriculum areas of reading, language arts, math and science, Great Source also publishes programs designed to meet specific initiatives such as summer school, afterschool, intervention, test prep and ESL. The company's Web site can be found at www.greatsource.com.

About Houghton Mifflin
Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Company is one of the leading educational publishers in the United States, with over $1 billion in sales. Houghton Mifflin publishes textbooks, instructional technology, assessments and other educational materials for elementary and secondary schools and colleges. The Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning fiction and nonfiction for adults and young readers. Additionally, Houghton Mifflin offers computer-administered testing programs and services for the professional and certification markets. With its origins dating back to 1832, Houghton Mifflin combines its tradition of excellence with a commitment to innovation. The Company's Web site can be found at www.hmco.com.