Subject #2: Composition and Communication

Project #25: Four-sentence story in KidPix, PowerPoint. Draw four pictures on

different themes, using four different KidPix tools/approaches.

Higher-order thinking Technology- Subject Area/ Standard:

skills specific: Learning-specific NETS-S
Creating, comprehension, Adding/editing text, Story-telling, grammar, spelling, 2.b, 4.a
organizing using tools/toolbars composition
Grade level: K-2
Prior knowledge: Project 1, 2 (KidPix Basx, Basx II)
Time required: 30 minutes, 8 sessions (2 for each drawing)
Software required: KidPix, PowerPoint
Vocabulary: text, grammar, animation, slideshow, PowerPoint, undo, toolbar

Lesson Description • #4: Kindergarten—a picture about

• This is a perennial favorite at my
school. They use many of KidPix’s
exciting tools and then share their
product with parents at Open House.
• When students complete their four
projects, you as the teacher meld
them into a slideshow for parents.
Computer Activity
• Allow two classes for each drawing,
one to practice and one to perfect it.
• Kindergarten writes a phrase for each
picture using animation tool
letters ; first grade
sentence using the ABC text tool
font size 48, any font, any color (see
following pages) as follows:
• #1: about themselves. Use the
thickest pencil tool (no chalk,
magic marker or crayon) so it
shows up in the slideshow and 5
colors.
• #2: about their family. Use the
paint brush—five colors and a
different brush for each family
member.
• #3: about their house. Use the
paint brush wacky tool (with
building tools like bricks and
windows).
their neighborhood. Use the pencil
tool to draw a street and the
paint bucket fill tool (#3) to
add grass, clouds, streets, etc.
• #4: 1st Grade—a picture about
what they do during the day. Use
pencil, paint brush, stamps.
• Perform as many of these skills
independently as possible. Each is a
review of tools already learned.
• Check work for grammar and spelling.
a • When students finish, you turn their
work into a celebration of student
achievement using PowerPoint:
• Add transitions, animations,
animated GIFs (kids love the
movement), unique backgrounds.
• Add music (Peanuts and Take Me
out to the Ballgame are crowd
favorites).
Extensions
• Email the slideshow to parents.
Troubleshooting Tips
• I goofed, and the Oops guy
couldn’t undo it! (That’s OK. Start
over. That’s why you practice one
week and draw the next.)
• I can’t exit (Alt+F4 or File-exit)

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Left column shows the KidPix drawings created by kindergartners. The
right column shows the drawings imported into a slideshow program.
Look at the slides. You can’t see the background music or the
movement, but see if you can find:
* animated GIF’s * creative background

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Left column shows KidPix drawings created by first graders. The right
column shows them imported into PowerPoint. Look at the slides. You
can’t see the music or GIF movement, but can you find:
* animated GIF’s * creative background

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