Week+Ten

__**Inspiration/Kidspiration **__  Kidspiration/Inspiration has become a very popular piece of software and is licensed by all Baltimore County schools. You may even already use this software program within your classroom. These programs use visuals to help students reinforce learning, integrate new information, and organize their thinking. Kidspiration is used in the lower grades (K-5), while Inspiration is more frequently used in the upper grades (6-12). Today we are going to explore these programs to help you understand how to integrate it into your classroom.

 Since we are different comfort levels with using Kidspiration/Inspiration in the classroom, the first activity will get you oriented with the programs. You can download either of these programs **at home**…this is a 30 day free subscription. [|Kidspiration/Inspiration Downloads]
 * //Part I: Kidspiration/Inspiration Tutorial/Review //**

[|Kidspiration Quick Tour] [|Inspiration Quick Tour] Feel free to view the other on-line tutorials. The Kidspiration site has numerous on-line view clips. In curriculum applications there are many ideas to help you within your classroom; the “beginning sounds” clip might be useful for Pre-K and K teachers. There are also many other good reading application video clips for everyone!
 * Take the QUICK TOUR**
 *  **//If you have never used the program//**, look to see what is available for you to do with these programs. Think about what/when you can integrate it into your classroom.
 *  **//If you have used the program//**, make sure you are using everything in the program. Is there anything that you do not use? Go through the later tutorials this is where you will find out more advanced information (like how to link within the documents).

These quick tours will give you a visual of how the programs work. Below are links to the BCPS Office of Instructional Technology, here they have put together tutorials on both of the programs. These are great resources! [|Kidspiration]

[|Inspiration] Both of the programs have templates for you to use. Here are some: [|Example/Lesson Plans for Kidspiration] [|Examples/Lesson Plans for Inspiration]



 **//Part II: Kidspiration/Inspiration Activity//** Now it is your turn…Create your own activity using Kidspiration/Inspiration. Pick a topic that you would use in your classroom (a reading topic would be preferred). Create an activity that can be used within your own classroom. With this activity, make sure you include a rationale or lesson plan for how you will be using it within your classroom (do this in a Word document). Since we are all at different levels of our Inspiration/ Kidspiration, you will be given required tasks to include within your activity, but do not let this limit you!  Print it out and bring to class with you the next time we meet!

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