So you want to begin using technology in your classroom, but aren't sure how. The first thing you should do is look at your curriculum. What units need improvement? Is there a better way to teach a topic that might involve technology? What will fit where? What's hard to teach? Could I use technology instead of a worksheet? How can I reach those "hard to reach/teach" students? What will excite and motivate my students? Can I use technology for the introduction to a unit or as a culminating activity? Don't reinvent your lessons and think you have to redesign everything with technology.

Next you should decide what you're comfortable doing. Start small. Pick one thing with technology that you feel comfortable with and then grow as you become more confident. Perhaps there's a lesson that lends itself to an Internet resource or maybe your ready to have your students create brochures or posters on the computer as an assessment too. Below is a list of possibilities.

Word Processing	Spreadsheets	Drawing	Database	Kidpix	Slideshow
Web Design	Webquests	Online Projects	Kidspiration	Hotlists	Internet

Create brochures

Compare and contrast items
ie) books, characters, poems, transportation, biomes, communities.....

Create newsletters

Chart any data you collect
ie) Class data, temperatures, experiment results,

Write poems and illustrate with graphics

Make a KWL chart

Create a Venn Diagram

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Design an advertisement

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Draw a diagram and label the parts
ie) parts of the human body, parts of a machine, solar system, parts of
a plant, etc....

Electronic Journals

Create a logo for a new book or concept

Organize any facts
ie) state information, animal kingdom, food chain, classification, etc...

Draw a poster

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Create a book cover.

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Categorize items

Any traditional report can be converted into a slideshow

Create patterns with the stamps and have the students decide what comes
next

Have students summarize what they have learned

Create Venn Diagrams

Research an author, inventor, community member, heroic person, etc and present a slideshow

Make a shape poem

mPower Assignment
http://plato.ess.tntech.edu/foed334-03/asgn_mp.htm
An example of how a college professor designs college lessons using mPower.

Create a book (Alphabet, animal, Colonial Times, biomes, original story....)

Draw illustrations to go along with a story

Publish student work

Make a chart using stamps

Research famous person, inventor, author, etc.. and create a webpage

Design a logo.

Research a region of the U.S. and summarize your findings on a webpage

Kidpix Lessons
http://library.thinkquest.org/50001/KidPix2.htm

Post pictures from a field trip or special project and have students help write the captions

Kidpix Template Files
http://members.aol.com/MrsGoudie/templatefiles.html
A large sampling of projects created using Kidpix. Great place to try and get
some ideas of your own.

Create an electronic classroom portfolio for writing.
Have students select their best pieces to post to a class website. Remember to follow your school's guidelines for posting student work.

See Project Showcase Page for ideas.a

12 Lessons to Teach Kidpix
http://www.littlelake.k12.ca.us/Lakeland/onlineleskidpix/onlinekidpix.html
Sequenced set of lessons to teach kidpix features to young students.

Sample Kidpix Projects for K-3
http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/ETI%20Plan/JustNTime/k3.html
More samples of how teachers have incorporated Kidpix into their classroom
projects.

Webquest Links
http://www.aea2.k12.ia.us/Curriculum/webquests.html WebQuests are problem-based/inquiry learning experiences on the Web. Each one normally is cross-discipline and may be used by several grade levels. At this site by AEA 2 you'll find links to a multitude of webquests.

Integrating KidPix Deluxe
http://www.aea13.k12.ia.us/technology/IntegratingKidPix.htm
More sample projects related to standards and benchmarks.

Webquest Examples for 9-12
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/webquest/9-12matrix.html

Curriculum Creations in Kidpix
http://www.comsewogue.k12.ny.us/showcase2000/kidpix/
introduction.htm
More samples.

Webquest Training Materials
http://webquest.sdsu.edu/materials.htm
Everything you need to learn how to create your own webquest.

Teacher Tips For Using Kidpix
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/littlekids/kidpix_activities.htm

These sites give you step by step instructions and examples on using
Kidpix in the classroom.

KID PIX LEARNING IDEAS:
http://henson.austin.apple.com/edres/ellesson/elem-kidpixlrng.shtml
What do stamps, Undo Guy, paint bucket, eraser, and Wacky TV all have
in common? They are all Kid Pix tools; find a six session lesson set for
grades two through four on how to start off students using this
popular software.

Kidspiration Examples
http://www.aea13.org/technology/Kidspiration2.htm
Examples of how to use Kidspiration in the elementary classroom.

GRADES ONE TO SIX KID PIX:
http://henson.austin.apple.com/edres/ellesson/elem-kidpixgeneva.shtml
Get ready for a host of ideas to make self-portraits, create tessellations,
pattern pictures, slide shows, and much more with these Kid Pix activities.

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KINDERGARTEN KID PIX:
http://henson.austin.apple.com/edres/ellesson/elem-kincompread.shtml
Yes, even kindergarten students can use Kid Pix, especially when
you're equipped with this list of ready-to-go class activities.

KID PIX ACROSS THE CURRICULUM:
http://www.cupertino.k12.ca.us/do.www/curr/KidPixTips.html
Integrate technology in to each core subject of your curriculum with these
art, science, social studies, etc. Kid Pix activities for elementary classes.

Filamentality
http://www.filamentality.com
Allows you to create hotlists, scrapbooks, treasure hunts, samplers, and webquests. Templates and guiding questions are provided for each design. Your end product is saved on their server.

KID PIX TOOLS:
http://www.learningspace.org/prof_growth/training/Kidpix/kidPix1.html
Which erase function do your students like the best? They will enjoy
exploring them all, along with several other tools to create art with
Kid Pix. For a run-down on the various options and a drawing lesson, try the
resources at this site.

STORYBOARDING:
http://www.learningspace.org/prof_growth/training/Kidpix/KidPix2.html
You're on your way to creative wizardry with story-boarding and
Slide Shows... Choose a theme and take your students through
pre-planning activities. Here's a great learning tool to implement
with your elementary class projects.

aWhere to find a project.
http://www.gsn.org/pr/
Global SchoolNet Foundation has projects sorted by age level or curriculum topic. Join the Hilite listserv and receive notice when a new project is started.

MAKE A SLIDE SHOW:
http://www.learningspace.org/prof_growth/training/Kidpix/kidPix3.html
Let elementary students illustrate one of your class stories (or one of their
very own) with Slide Show presentations--they will love seeing
them animated.

aExamples
Spring Into Life
Community of Clocks
Stellaluna's Friends
Online Autumn
Terrifically Tall Tales
Tales of Mystery

FIRST GRADE KID PIX:
http://www.mississippi.net/~lamarelm/racingto.htm
How can you integrate art, Kid Pix (technology), and thematic
curriculum? This first grade resource shows you how, with lessons
for Health and Nutrition, Phonics, Science, and more.

aCreate Your Own

KID PIX SELF-PORTRAITS:
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/littlekids/archive/
lesson_myselfandothers.htm
Kindergarten students will design their own slideshow with
portraits of themselves and others.

aFinding Participants
Send email out on listservs
Global SchoolHouse

NickNacks Telecollaborations

ALL ABOUT ME QUILTS:
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/littlekids/archive/
kidpix_quilt.htm
Step-by-step instructions guide your class through creating their
own autobiographical Kid Pix story quilt.

ALL ABOUT ME CRESTS:
http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/KingsParkES/technology/lessons/
crest.htm
Use this page as a template to design your own Kid Pix individual
crests for an autobiography project.

Create and conduct an Internet Scavenger Hunt.
Give students a list of five to ten items related to your current studies to locate on the Internet. Have students document how they conducted their searches and where they found the items requested. Follow up with a discussion on better ways to locate information on the Internet.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY SLIDE SHOW:
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/departments/isa/inst_support/warner/
slidesho.pdf
Students will create an autobiographical slide show with three main
themes to follow; instructions and tips are included.

Locate 3-5 good websites pertaining to a particular topic you are learning about. Create a worksheet for students with questions about that topic. Have them use the websites to locate the information.

Create a techie wall in your classroom. Post vocabulary related to technology that students encounter. Describe the characteristics of a "techie". Display projects that were completed using technology.

Brainstorm about the impact technology has on our everyday life. Make a list of all the technological devices students encounter each day. Check whether their parents or grandparents used these same devices.

Bring a techie to school. Invite a person that works in the field of technology for an interview.

Talk about careers that involve technology.

Have students create business cards for a future technology "dream" career.