Introduction to Kid Pix

Introduction to Kid Pix

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Using Kid Pix - Introduction | Copying Templates from the Web | Resources

Kid Pix - the Tool
A painting application particularly suited for younger grades, because of the simple interface. Has lots of powerful possibilities for products. Has lots to explore. Many classes still use old versions. Newer versions include many of the features of HyperStudio, but in a simpler interface. Use the program to create individual slides, which can then be assembled into a slideshow. Limited to 256 colors, making it not very suitable for importing photographs.

Slideshow Uses
Kid Pix slideshows can be used to document a variety of skills or events. Classroom slideshows tend to fall in one of the following categories:

Project
A project is usually the product of a unit of study. It may be an individual, team, or class project.
Individual: each 2nd grade student produces a 3 slide show that demonstrates a "cycle."
Team: each group of four 4th grade students creates a set of 4 slides that describe different topics for their chosen Californian tribe.
Class: each individual 1st grade student creates one picture of "weather." Students record their own voices telling about the picture. A mentor from an older class helps students to assemble the slideshow.
Class: Journal - each week a pair of students draw, write, and narrate a picture describing the most important event of the past week. By Open House, a slide of the year assembled and presented.

Portfolio
A portfolio is a selection from a collection of products or tasks. Often a Kid Pix portfolio would be used in primary grades to show a class's body of work.
Individual: each new teacher in the BTSA program creates a show that documents goals met for standards. Digital photos and narration are used.
Class: each individual 1st grade student selects one picture created to show his/her "best drawing" or a slide that demonstrates a particular learning.

Versions

Kid Pix 3 -

My Kid Pix - A slimmed down version of Kid Pix Studio Deluxe w/fancier (not as useful) tools removed. Still includes newest version of Kid Pix and Slide Show.

Kid Pix Studio Deluxe - the newest full featured program. Includes all of Kid Pix Studio, plus editable and movable text objects. These objects can be easily resized and moved by students. Includes system fonts, sizes, and a few styles. The text can be easily read aloud by the computer. Typewriter Text was removed. Mac or PC. ~ $30.

Kid Pix Studio - a big step for Kid Pix. Includes 4 new applications: Moopies, Digital Puppets, Stampimator, and Wacky TV. Lasso doesn't function properly. Automatically changes to 256 colors required by Kid Pix.

Kid Pix 2 - Kid Pix 1, plus Slideshow and typewriter text. This text is available in about 10 font/style/sizes. Text is painted onto background and once you have left the line, it can only be modified by erasing.

Kid Pix 1 (1991) - the original - I remember spending hours spellbound. Drawing tools. Tape recorder. Stamps. Lots of sounds. Alphabet stamps. Switch to Spanish menus.