Innovations_Kidspiration

Create your Innovations Mini-Teach Kidspiration/Inspiration here!  Katie McGrath, Amy Klumb, Lynda Espino, October 28th, 2010

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**A. What is Kidspiration?**
===**Kidsipration is a visual learning software. It is by mainly students in kindergarten up to fifth grade. They use this software to build graphic organizers, maps, diagrams, or webs. It can be used for all subjects such as reading, writing, math, science and social studies. There is also inspiration which has the same features but used for students in higher grades. **===



**B. Facts or Need To Knows**

 * Kidspiration reflects four major curriculum areas: reading/writing, social studies, science, and math
 * Lessons are designated for K-2 or 3-5
 * Kidspiration now includes more curriculum content, new teacher tools and standards-alligned lesson plans.
 * Has 150+ activity templates.

**C. How To Create Your Own**
Kidspiration is a software you must buy. You can purchase it from the websites store. [] At the official website of Kidspiration they also offer a free thirty day trial for anyone. You just choose what type of computer you have and select the thirty day trial and its installed into your computer in about ten minutes! 



**D. Examples of Real Life Uses.**
The program has many different uses and can be used for almost any assingment, with different templates, subjects and tools available. Examples of real life that students could apply this program to would include creating after school schedule, using either pictures or words, to help set aside enough time for homework, as well as, other things they need to do througout the day. This could help create organization and planning skills which are always useful in life. Another use could include learning more about themselves or teaching someone else about themselves by creating a web with their name or a picture of themselves in the middle and for each branch the comes off the web one could have their favorite color, animal, food, etc and it would be organized into an appealing, visual way. One last real life application would include constructing the map of the United States that is provided and you could then print that off for personal use and mark down all of the states you have traveled to. Although this particular program is aimed at a younger age the templates and images that are provided could be ulitized for many different areas of life to create visuals and enhance organization skills.

**E. Classroom Uses**
Kidspiration uses proven visual learning strategies to build students' vocabulary and English comprehension with integrated Picture and Writing Views, the new Word Guide, enhanced audio support, the new symbol search and the expanded symbol library. In addition, Kidspiration emphasizes the development and use of independent learning strategies, such as pictorial representation of thoughts and concepts. The new Word Guide includes an extensive sight vocabulary list, which aligns with Fry's Instant Word List, Dolch Word List and TESL vocabulary. a definition, synonym and a women's voice to pronounce the word and this could help with trouble words.
 * 1. Teacher uses:** The teacher could use this as a great tool instead of depending on the old fashion way of creating collages, with siccors, glue and magazines and provide the students with a colorful, organized paper that will help the students learn and study. She could also use this program to conduct assessments. The students would be given a certain template and a task to complete and the students could either print off when completed or the teacher could walk around and check their work. It would engage the students more than a written assessment would; and when students are enjoying themselves they are more likely to put in a greater effort.
 * 2. Student uses:** The students could use this program as a tutoring tool, or as a tool to give them ideas to encourage their writing. One of the largest benefits is the way this programs organizes information, and with print outs available this is information that could be kept for long periods of time. Inspiration is in the name, and I truly think that this program is a way to inspire kids to want to learn. They are given a tool that teaches them while encouraging them to be creative.
 * 3. Additional support for ELL and ESL students:** For ELL students especially in younger grades that I observed; finding sounds in the words and ryhming was a big part of this learning process and this program has numerous activities that would help to enhance both of those skills.There is also a word guide where you could type in virtually any word and there is a definition, synonym and a women's voice to pronounce the word and this could help with trouble words.
 * 4. Parents Uses:** The parents could use this program with their children to help them study.

**__Kidspiration resources __** Grades K-5 Kidspiration activities websites [] [] [] [] [] **__Inspiration resources __** Older students like around 6th grade and up [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">[] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Inspiration information: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Inspiration designed for teachers and students was developed in 1996 by Donald Helfgott and Mona Westhaver. Inspiration is widely known for creating [|graphic organizers], like [|concept maps] , [|mind maps] , idea maps, [|diagrams] and webs. **<span style="color: #221f72; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 8.5pt;">“For visual mapping, outlining, writing and making presentations, use Inspiration® 9, the ultimate thinking and learning tool. Brainstorm ideas, structure your thoughts and visually communicate concepts to strengthen understanding with the Diagram and Map Views. To take notes, organize information, and structure writing for plans, papers and reports, use the integrated Outline View to focus on main and supporting ideas and to clarify thinking in written form. With Inspiration's Presentation Manager, transform your diagrams, mind maps and outlines into polished presentations that communicate ideas clearly and demonstrate understanding and knowledge.“([]) **

== ** Kidspiration-the visual way to explore and understand words, numbers and concepts. [|http://www.inspiration.com/Inspiration.] Retrieved 16 Sept. 2010 ** ==