Additional Detail for Kidspiration

Kidspiration offers even more ways to support emerging readers and writers. Added capabilities provide more opportunities for students to express themselves visually and to recognize the connection between words and their meanings. These include:

• Symbol Maker drawing tool
• Unlimited SuperGrouper images
• Symbols paired with words in Writing View
• Support for emerging technologies

Kidspiration also includes 75 ready-made activities, a new Venn diagram option, one-click transfer to word processors and expanded teacher options.

Draw to express thoughts

To support emergent writers, Kidspiration now includes the powerful Symbol Maker drawing tool. Using a simple interface, students express their creativity and individuality by drawing and painting their own symbols. With one click, students integrate their personalized symbols into graphic organizers, enhancing the ability to communicate visually.

Add more visual meaning to grouping

With one simple step, any symbol can become a shape that designates a group. For example, students might place items for "school" into a backpack, rather than a plain circle or box. In this way, the activity becomes more engaging and meaningful.

Pair words and symbols to make the literacy connection

In Writing View, pictures are now displayed next to corresponding words. This reinforces the relationship between known language and a meaningful image. As always, students can add speech support by choosing to use the Listen tool.

More activity templates for quick starts

Kidspiration comes with 75 classroom-ready activity templates. These easily customizable examples and open-ended activities are correlated to objectives found across state standards, and cover reading and writing, social studies, science and now math!

Network compatibility for sharing activities

Activities can be saved and launched from any location, making it easy for classrooms to use customized lessons. Flexible access enables educators to collaborate and create new projects to build an exciting portfolio of curriculum-aligned lessons.

Teacher options to keep students focused on learning when creating or modifying activity templates, teachers have new options to keep students on task.

Lock items in place

Educators can freeze the position of specific items in Picture View or Writing View. This assures that students won't accidentally move or delete necessary symbols or SuperGrouper shapes in a teacher-created activity.

Limit symbol libraries

Teachers can keep students on task by using the Activity Wizard to designate specific symbol libraries available for a project.

Designate instructions for Picture View only

Teacher-created activities often include instructions that students only need in Picture View. A new Teacher menu command makes it simple to create instruction-based symbols that do not transfer to Writing View.

System Requirements

Macintosh

• Macintosh or Power Macintosh
• Mac OS 7.1, 8.x, 9.x or OS X
• 4 MB available RAM
• 640x480 display, 256-color display
• 7 MB available hard drive minimum, 35 MB for full install
• CD-ROM drive (for installation)

Windows

• Pentium 75 MHz or faster
• Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT 4.0, ME or XP (including Tablet PC Edition)
• 8 MB RAM
• 640x480 display, 256-color display
• 7 MB available hard drive; 25 MB for full install
• CD-ROM drive (for installation)

Multi-User Packs

Kidspiration software is available in multi-user packs. For more information, please call Universal Low Vision Aids at 614-224-6465 855-Go-2-ULVA.