Teacher Thursday
March 2005

• Our "tools of the trade" for students in K-3 are KidPix, Kidspiration and the Internet.

• For specific technology skills at each grade level click here.  (be sure to scroll down a little bit.)

• In the primary grades, I'm looking for the student's ability to listen carefully, follow directions, be able to troubleshoot minor PC problems, and be familiar with the hardware and terminology I use. I also try to instill a curiosity and love for learning and technology. 

• We have several resource books on KidPix and Kidspiration. In addition, there are already prepared templates. These templates can be found within the programs and some are on CDs.  Think about how you could adapt the lesson and templates to your students.  A good way to "scaffold" learning with technology is to create a template of your own (or adapt one) and then put a template in everyone's folder.   That way students have a head start on the project and can get down to the essential skills of the project.

• The DOE website can be your friend. If you know there's a particular area of ISTEP students had trouble on, go to the DOE site.  Click here for to access projects pertaining to standards. Many of these can be adapted to use with technology.  Be sure to indicate the subject area, grade level and I recommend displaying all resources.

• There SO MANY cool things to do with technology.  Yes, these projects are neat, fun and attractive, but try to stay focused on three important questions. What's the learning objective?  How does the technology help support it?  What standards will be addressed and how will they be assessed? (Well maybe there are four questions, the last would be: Will we drive ourselves crazy with the project trying it with almost 30 kids?)

• It's extremely important that you get your hands on the computer and try the lesson first in order to anticipate tricky areas.

• There are already plenty of good resources on the Gab from the Lab site in various areas. Don't hesitate to take a look there.

KidPix Resources
(we own version 4.0 and it is most current)

Why Pick KidPix?

Kidspiration Resources
(we own version 1.0 and 2.1 is most current)

An article with resources on...
"The Concept Mapping Classroom"

Kidspiration website - State Standard Correlates

How to read standards match:

• Pink highlight indicates a standard or objective that is supported by the use of Kidspiration and Inspiration
• Green note annotation includes names of an Inspiration template or Kidspiration activity that corresponds to the highlighted standard. These templates and activities are part of each software program and act as starters or frameworks for student work.

Please note: file is in PDF format and PC may pause briefly while file downloads. Toward the end each document, there are example of student work.

• Looking at the printed resource books
• Attending a workshop:

Quick Look at Technology Tools for Primary Classrooms at the Buddy II Teaching and Learning Center

Session: 03/22/2005, Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Session: 06/13/2005, Monday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

(Target audience: Grade K-2 teachers) Spend time taking a quick look at three technology tools that are great to use with K-2nd grade students. Learn some of the “how tos” and the multi-media components that let you write, draw and create with Kid Pix Deluxe 4, Kidspiration 2 and Clicker 4.

• Checking out the resources on this website
• Experimenting with KidPix and Kidspiration and coming up with your own ideas.
• Talking to teacher leaders in technology at your grade level in another school. What are they doing? How are they overcoming obstacles with technology? What projects are they working on?