KidPix

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KidPix (http://www.kidpix.com/) is a multimedia program for students.  It's best used with grades K-3, though lessons can be modified and used with older grades as well.  There are several parts of KidPix:  KidPix (graphics), Moopies (moving pictures), Stampimator (animated stamps), and Slide Show.

Kids of ALL ages love using KidPix, and it's incredibly easy to think of ways to use KidPix to extend or reinforce lessons in any subject area.

Some of these ideas were taken from various internet resources.  If one of them is your original idea and you have not been given credit for it, please email me and I will give credit.

Everyone

Let students use drawing tools or stamps to reinforce a lesson on community helpers.  They can also use these tools to discuss career choices and what they want to be when they finish school.  Exact method will vary with age level.  Use stamps with K-2, and drawing tools with upper grades.  Some ideas are police officers, firefighters, and pilots.
Integration:  Social Studies - Community Workers

Make posters for Earth Day (in April) to convince people to save our planet.
Integration:  Science - Conservation

Students can make maps of various places:
Bedroom
Classroom
School
Playground
Etc.
Lower grades can use stamps as symbols.  2-3 grades can add basic use of a map key.  4-5 grades can do maps related to topics of study, and use more involved details and map keys.
Integration:  Social Studies - Maps

Use KidPix to illustrate words on word walls.

Have students use KidPix to create their own Bingo cards. They will have to use the line tool to create rows and columns, and then fill the boxes with stamps. You may wish to create a template for them with the rows and columns pre-set. You will need to print one copy of the Bingo card to cut out, and print other copies for students to use when they play. Be sure that students use the correct set of stamps (you will have to choose a set) when they stamp into the boxes.

Create a template with rows and columns and have students fill in the boxes to make their own calendars for one month.

Have students illustrate healthy, balanced meals. They should draw a circle for a plate, draw a fork, and then put healthy foods on the plate. Talk about balanced meals and how certain foods would be inappropriate when combined.

Kindergarten

For a good dental hygiene exercise, find a picture of a tooth and scan it.  You might even have students draw pictures of teeth (they need one large tooth).  Save the pictures to their diskettes.  Have them open the picture files in KidPix, then use the stamps to find food that is good for your teeth.  They can stamp those foods on the picture of the tooth.  If they find foods that are unhealthy for the teeth, have them stamp the foods outside the tooth. A variation is to put all the foods on the outside of the tooth and use the moving van tool to put the healthy foods inside the tooth.
Integration:  Science - Dental Hygiene

Have students stamp rows of various objects like this:  one row of five gold bars, one row of seven hats, one row of three rafts, etc. Once they have several rows, have them choose the pencil tool and circle the ordinal number you call out, like this, "In the row of gold bars, circle the fifth gold bar," or "In the row of hats, circle the third hat." Have them vary the color they use to circle with to give them extra practice in choosing colors and color recognition.
Integration:  Math - Ordinal Numbers

Take the letter you are working on and have the kids write, type or stamp it and then find stamps that begin with the same sound and have them stamp those pictures. Take their pictures and make them into an alphabet slideshow.
Integration:  Language Arts - Alphabet/Letter Recognition

Stamp numbers and next to them stamp the correct number of one of the stamps, or make 5 circles (or squares) using the shapes tools.  One idea is to make a spring counting book using the slideshow option. First list spring things.  Write them on a chart and draw a small picture next to them.  Have each child pick a number (numbers 1-20) and first on paper have them write their number and the number word.  Then let them pick a spring thing and draw that many.  After they finish planning on paper, have them go to the computer and recreate it in KidPix.  Save the files and put them together to make a slide show.  Be sure to use the applause effect and list the authors' names on the last page.
Integration:  Math - Number recognition

Let students use the drawing and shape tools to reinforce what they know about shapes (circle, square, rectangle, etc.).  Call out a certain shape for them to draw.  Call out a certain color for them to use to fill the shape.  They can also use the pattern tools at the bottom.  You can turn this into a shapes lesson, a colors lesson, or a patterns lesson.
Integration:  Math - Shapes

Select the eraser, then the question mark and have the children erase the screen to reveal the hidden picture. This is a good exercise in mouse control, and the children can then learn to print and save these pictures. They may show their pictures to the rest of the class and tell everyone about them. Select the letter stamp with the option key depressed to access the keyboard. Have the children practice writing the alphabet from the keyboard. This reinforces their knowledge of the alphabet while it introduces them to the QWERTY keyboard.
Use the stamps and the various drawing tools to illustrate stories the children have read. Teach them how to edit the stamps as an introduction to the concept of editing.  (By Kathy Hagar)
Integration:  Technology - Computer skills

Use KidPix to have students stamp numbers and the correct number of pictures to represent each number.

Use KidPix to make visual representations for combinations of numbers. Call out story problems and have students use stamps to solve the problems.

Use stamps in KidPix to make identical stamps of different sizes (use shift and ctrl to change sizes). Drag and drop them in order using the moving van tool.

Have students use KidPix, Kidspiration, or Word (with guidance) to find pictures to represent each holiday. Assist students in typing two or three words to go along with each picture as further description of the holiday's importance.
a. Labor Day
b. Columbus Day (Christopher Columbus)
c. Veterans’ Day
d. Thanksgiving Day
e. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
f. Presidents’ Day (George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and the current President)
g. Memorial Day
h. Flag Day
i. Independence Day

Use maps in KidPix (goodies). Let students use the paint can tool to fill in blue for water and green for land.

Call out directions for students to draw something in KidPix. (Have your own model done beforehand, but don't show it to them.) For instance, "Draw a circle. Draw six eyes in the circle. Draw four squiggly hairs on top of the circle. Draw two big teeth on the circle. Color the teeth in yellow." When you're done, see how their representations match yours. Talk about the features that are the same, even though they look a little different.

Have students draw pictures in KidPix or use pictures in Kidspiration to represent sunrise, day time, sunset, and night time.

Let students draw a line to divide the screen in half. Have students use a sun stamp to show how the sun moves across the sky during the day. Let them add clouds, rainbows, and other things they'd see during the day. Have them fill in the other half of the sky with dark blue or black for night time. Have them stamp a moon and other things they would see at night.

Have students use KidPix to draw a sky and things in it. Tell them to add things that stay in the sky. Tell them to add things that go into the sky and then come down (a bird flying and a bird in a nest). Have them draw some greet grass and add things that stay on the ground all the time.

Make a template in KidPix with living and nonliving things. Have the students drag and drop all the living things on one side and the nonliving things on the other side of the screen.

Have students choose pictures or stamps of things in KidPix that have the same features (such as four legs, or white fur).

Let students find pictures of plants and animals in KidPix. Compile them into a class book of common animals and plants.

First Grade

Have students use KidPix to create representations of numbers in sets. Have them draw number lines and mark them appropriately according to what you call out.

Have students use stamps in Kidpix to create visual representations of collections with less than 30 objects. Have them stamp the numbers themselves with each set. For example, 27 gold bars stamped on the screen, and then "2 tens" and "7 ones" stamped with letter stamps on the same screen.

Have students illustrate math problems in Kidpix. (This will require an adult helper to give step-by-step directions to the students as they work). For example, tell students to stamp gold bars on the screen, one less than five. Check to see that they stamp four gold bars. Tell them to stamp eight gold bars but to break it into sets. One set should have four. Check to see that they make the second set with four. If necessary, have them work in pairs to complete these tasks.

Have students make models of fractions in KidPix (whole, half, fourth). Print these and display them in the room as a reference.

Use KidPix to draw each shape and label it. Combine these same basic shapes to make pictures; i.e. a square with a triangle to make a house.

Have students use maps in KidPix to draw trails where these people traveled or settled. Show students how to use different colors for each trail, and how to create a simple key or write the person's name beside his/her trail.
Benjamin Franklin (inventor/author/statesman); Thomas Jefferson (Declaration of Independence); Meriwether Lewis & William Clark with Sacagawea (exploration); Harriett Tubman (Underground Railroad); Theodore Roosevelt (National Parks and the environment); George Washington Carver (science)

Have students use maps in KidPix to color in the required elements. They can use line tools to draw outlines for each thing, then color in each one with the fill can. They will need to start with the largest element (continent), and work their way in to the smallest (city).
city, county, state, nation and continent

Have students illustrate odd and even numbers. Have them use the line tool to divide the screen into several squares. Have them type the word "odd" in half of the boxes and the word "even" in half of the boxes. Have them use stamps to show odd numbers or even numbers of objects.

Have students use maps in KidPix to identify the following:
the continents: North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Antarctica, and Australia.
the major oceans: Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian
landforms (mountains, deserts, valleys, plains, plateaus, and coasts).

Have students (either as a whole group or in small groups) use KidPix or Kidspiration to make pictures of each type of weather, including the characteristics.

Have students use KidPix to draw a complete plant. Have them label the parts of the plant (root, stem, leaf, flower), and include what each part requires to live (air, water, light, nutrients).

Students make addition and subtraction problems using stamps.  Can use them to show various mathematical properties.
Integration:  Math - Addition, Subtraction

Counting Small Numbers - Use the shift, option and control keys to enlarge the stamps. Stamp several onto the page and count as you go. Use the number stamps to stamp a number on each object on the screen. Teddy Bears work really well. At largest size, their bellies are just the right size for a number.
Counting in Tens - Use the star paintbrush to paint a large numb of stars onto the screen. Select the pencil tool and a color, and then have the students tick off 10 of the stars together. Draw a loop around the group of ten. Repeat this with a different color until all possible groups of  ten have been made. The fill tool can be used to further highlight the different groups. Use the number and alphabet stamps to write how many tens and how many ones are left, then the actual number. You can make some wonderful number charts using this technique. The other stamps can be used instead of the paintbrush tool.
Integration:  Math - Counting/grouping by tens

Practice spelling words, using the letter stamps.  Do sorting and patterning activities using the picture stamps. When learning place value stamp as many of one object (i.e. stars) as you can in one minute.  Then go back and use the pencil tool to circle groups of tens, count the ones that are left over, and stamp the total number.  Make up + and - equations using the stamps.  Stamp the pictures, then write the number equation to go with it.
Integration:  Language Arts and Math  

Have students create vowel or consonant books. They should use stamps to stamp an upper case and lower case letter, and pictures that go with that letter.

Have students divide the screen into four sections using the pencil tool. Use one section for each season and have them use stamps to illustrate each season of the year. Have them use letter stamps to spell out the name of each season.
Integration:  Social Studies and Science

Second Grade

Take each child's picture with a digital camera.  Save the pictures onto each child's disk, then when the students go to their computer, have them open the photo using KidPix.  Let them use the eraser to erase all the background behind them, leaving only their face showing.  They can use other tools to draw an endangered animal body around their face.
Integration:  Science - Endangered animals and why they need to be protected.

Students can write poems. Choose "Alphabet Text" from the Goodies menu. Then have them type their poems in simple sentences. "I like ice cream.....or....Mom is great.........." Then click "ok".  Go to the paintbrush and draw a picture. The sentence will appear on the screen as their picture. They can drag the paintbrush several times and the sentence will continue.
Integration:  Language Arts - poetry

Students can use the line tool to divide the screen into four blocks.  They can use the typewriter tool to type labels in the box.  Then they use the stamps to stamp objects in each section.  Some ideas are:
Zoo animals - farm, birds, ocean, mammals
Colors - yellow, blue, green, red
Seasons - fall, winter, spring, summer
Ideas aren't limited to just these.  You can classify any number of objects using the stamps.
Integration:  Science - Sorting and classification

Have students choose files from the Color-Me folders. This is great practice for them learning to navigate file and folder structure.

Have students use KidPix to create representations of numbers in sets. Have them draw number lines and mark them appropriately according to what you call out.

Use Kidpix to create fractions (draw a circle, draw lines through it). Use alphabet stamps (numbers) to identify how many parts the whole has (thirds, sixths, etc.).

Use KidPix to draw each shape and label it (triangles, square, rectangle, trapezoid, quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, and irregular polygonal shapes, right angle, obtuse, acute).

Create a template in KidPix with different types of solids and angles. Have the students label each figure with the number of faces or types of angles.

Have students use maps in KidPix to draw areas where these Native Americans lived (Creek and Cherokee, especially in Georgia). Have them use appropriate stamps for the local resources.

Have students work in pairs to use maps in KidPix to color in the required elements. They can use line tools to draw outlines for each thing, then color in each one with the fill can. Geographic regions of Georgia: Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain, Valley and Ridge and Appalachian Plateau. Major rivers: Ocmulgee, Oconee, Altamaha, Savannah, St. Mary’s, Chattahoochee, Flint.

Have students work in pairs or small groups and use maps in KidPix (Goodies) to mark the required elements. Have them include text boxes with short sentences as to why they think the people identified were affected by each place. People:  James Oglethorpe, Tomochichi, Mary Musgrove, Sequoyah, Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Jimmy Carter.

Have students use maps in KidPix to draw areas where groups of Native Americans lived. Have them use appropriate stamps for the local resources.

Call out directions for students to draw something in KidPix. (Have your own model done beforehand, but don't show it to them.) For instance, "Draw a circle. Draw six eyes in the circle. Draw four squiggly hairs on top of the circle. Draw two big teeth on the circle. Color the teeth in yellow." When you're done, see how their representations match yours. Talk about the features that are the same, even though they look a little different.

Have students use KidPix to draw pictures of stars and the night sky, patterns of stars, or the sun. Have them include text boxes to draw stories or write poems and songs about the objects they see.

Have students research constellations and draw representations of them in KidPix.
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/home/index.html

Have students use KidPix to draw maps of the school grounds or playground. Print several of the maps and let the students write dates on them as they record what they see around the school. They can compare the maps to see what things changed during the school year (changes caused by weather, plants, animals, and/or people).

Have students use Yahooligans or other sites to look at life cycles of animals and plants. Have them use KidPix to illustrate other life cycles.
http://www.wacona.com/promote/lifecycles/default.html

Third Grade

Line Maze - It is pretty simple to create a maze, and it is a great idea for hand-eye coordination. Use the line tool to draw borders, identify a starting point (e.g. bike stamp) and a finishing point (e.g. the house stamp), and have the child use a pencil to draw the path through the maze.
Informal Maze - For an easier activity along the line of the above, just stamp a few trees in the middle of the screen and have the students draw a line from the starting point to the finishing point without touching the screen.  If the above mazes are all to hard, simply stamp a starting and finishing point on the screen and don't worry about obstacles.
Integration:  Math - Mazes

Have students use KidPix to draw and label the different types of triangles (scalene, isosceles and equilateral triangles). Have them include text boxes to type in properties of figures. Have them include types of angles they see. Have them draw a circle and identify the center, diameter, and radius.

Use maps in KidPix to fill in the listed features. Identify each one. Features: 
a. major rivers of the United States of America: Mississippi, Ohio, Rio
Grande, Colorado, Hudson
b. identify major mountains of the of the United States of America: Appalachian, Rocky
c. locate the Equator, Prime Meridian, and lines of latitude and longitude on a globe
d. locate Greece on a world map

Have students use KidPix or Inspiration to create a picture to represent a small store. Be sure they put prices on each item they have chosen to sell. Ask them if the prices are reasonable (if they would they pay that amount of money for a certain item).

Have students create pictures in KidPix to illustrate how fossils change over time.

Have students make illustrations in KidPix or Inspiration with objects of things affected by magnets, or with things that require magnetic force to work (electric car, trolley car, etc.)

Have students use maps in KidPix (Goodies) to create representations of the different habitats in Georgia. Have them use stamps to illustrate the different organisms found in each habitat.

Fourth Grade

Have students use KidPix to draw the different types of triangles and other geometric figures. Have them use the moving van tool to classify the figures (move them into similar groups). Have them use the text box tool to write comparisons between two shapes or a statement that proves contrast between two shapes.

Have students use KidPix to draw cubes, prisms, parallel and perpendicular lines and planes, and other geometric figures. Have them use the text box tool to write comparisons between two shapes or a statement that proves contrast between two shapes.

Have students work in pairs or small groups and use maps in KidPix (Goodies) to mark the required elements. Have them include text boxes with short sentences as to how the Indians obtained food, clothing, and shelter. Have students use Yahooligans to obtain information if needed. Groups:  American Indians settled with emphasis on Arctic (Inuit), Northwest (Kwakiutl), Plateau (Nez Perce), Southwest (Hopi), Plains (Pawnee) and Southeastern (Seminole).

Have students create maps in KidPix (Goodies) to mark each of the required elements (Louisiana Purchase, Lewis & Clark expedition, Texas, the Alamo, Oregon Trail, California). Students should also include text boxes to type facts as to why each of these acquisitions/happenings was important at the time (Gold Rush, mining towns, Texas independence).

Have students use KidPix (Goodies) to create maps that show the physical and man-made features of the U.S., including:  Atlantic Coastal Plain, Great Plains, Continental Divide, The Great Basin, Death Valley, Gulf of Mexico, St. Lawrence River, the Great Lakes, New York City NY, Boston MA, Philadelphia PA, and the Erie Canal. Have them color-code to indicate which features are physical and which are man-made.

Have students make illustrations in KidPix for each of the required elements (day/night cycle of the earth, phases of the moon, revolution of the earth around the sun, size and order from the sun of the planets). Have students look up information on the Internet (Yahooligans) to make sure their representations are accurate. Label where appropriate (waxing crescent, waning crescent, etc.).

Fifth Grade

 

 

Tech Help

To learn all about KidPix tools, go to Learning Space.

To learn how to make a slide show in KidPix, go to this page at Learning Space.

Graphics-you can import graphics from other programs. Just copy them onto the Clipboard. When in Kid Pix, go to Edit and Paste. You could also import photographs from programs and scanners.

Changing Stamp Sizes- There are four sizes to stamps. The smallest is the regular stamp. Then, if you push the "option" key it gets bigger. If you press the "Shift" key, it gets bigger, and if you press "Option" and "Shift"at the same time, it gets even bigger.

Editing Stamps- If you double click on a stamp, it will take you to the Stamp Editor. You can use it to make new stamps. In addition, you can always go back to the original stamp.

Resources

KidPix Resources - has the best information for basic use AND integration of KidPix
KidPix Lessons - wonderful lesson ideas for all grades
Multimedia Applications on a Shoestring Budget - fantastic Thinkquest site
KidPix Hot List - index of lots of KidPix lesson sites
KidPix Animations - great example and instructions for making an animation
Marcia's Lesson Links - has lots of great templates to use
King's Park Elementary - great lessons for grades 1-3 integrating technology
Kidpix Templates


Home        Email      Wacona Elementary School

These pages created by Lori Miller, copyright 2004.

Last updated May 24, 2007.


Home        Email      Wacona Elementary School

These pages created by Lori Miller, copyright 2004.

Last updated May 24, 2007.