Step One:  Introduce the student to the KidPix software by showing them the different features and programs included.  There is "Wacky TV" where an image moves across the screen, "Slide Show" where students can write and illustrate in different boxes and show the material through a slide show, "Moopies" which has stamps that are animated characters, "Digital Puppets" where you can choose a puppet and make it move and talk by using keys on the keyboard, "Stampimator" where you can write and illustrate a story using animated characters, and "KidPix" where you can write and illustrate a story or sentence.

Step Two:  Explain to the student that they are going to be reading a short story that will come up on the screen.  When they are finished reading the story they will have the opportunity to illustrate the story using the paintbrush tool.

Step Three:  Once the story has been illustrated, have the student paint their name as the illustrator.  This can be done by going under the "goodies" bar and selecting "pick a draw me."

Step Four:  Talk about what the student drew and have them explain why they drew that particular picture and how it relates to the story.

Step Five:  Help the student brainstorm possibilities for their own story suggestions:  pets, family, school, dinosaurs, the cafeteria, etc.  Choose one topic and have the student write a story about that topic.  The student should type their story on a blank page and illustrate it using the paintbrush tool.  *The teacher should be available for help with spelling and grammar.*

Step Six:  Talk about the topic and illustrations and why the student chose that topic.

*This helps with computer and technology skills along with writing skills.*

For Special Needs Students:
-do the same activity without the computer
-for visually impaired students, you can record the story on the recorder and play it back so that they can hear it
-for ESL students:  type the story using the spanish alphabet and have an English student or the teacher record the story using the recorder and playing it back in English

Goal:  to increase writing skills and computer skills
Students should learn:  more about the topic, utilizing computer software to write and illustrate a story