1.    Check your manual for neat Kid Pix project ideas. 

2.    Copy the stamps pictured in your manual.  Paste them in colorful file folders, laminate and leave at computer. 

3.    Use storyboards as organizational tools. 

4.    Use as a small group or whole group directed teaching tool.  Use a LARGE  font. 

5.    You can print out any page in landscape or portrait mode (animations will have a static graphic). 

6.    Size your stamps: small (mouse click), medium (press ctrl+mouse click) and large (press ctrl+shift+mouse click) 

7.    Create perfect circles & squares by pressing Shift key as drawing 

8.    Scan coins, then import the pictures. 

9.    To make a Venn Diagram, overlap two transparent circles. 

10.   K-2 Create templates for students to “drop in” their work 

11.    Take dictation if you want everyone to have a chance by the end of the week! 

12.    Go slow!  Introduce a couple of tools at a time 

13.    Brainstorm & plan on paper first. 

14.    Give kids rubrics so they know what to aim for. 

15.    Encourage kids to create their own clipart and sounds 

16.    Double click on stamps will bring up the editing window. 

17.    Cooperative learning groups get more students involved in using technology (or having a say in it) 

18.    Schedule times for individuals or small groups to be on computer 

19.    Who’s turn on the computer???  Craft sticks, clothespins, charts, sign ups 

20.    One student in charge of keyboard, one in charge of mouse (KPS is heavy on mouse use). 

21.     Three before me rule: ask 3 other students BEFORE you ask the Teacher!

22.    Asking for help: red cup, name on board, ask an expert 

23.    Blue cup says “I found something cool!” 

24.    Save to disks only if you have to – save to server much better!!! 

25.    Get more table space: use copy clips (attaches to the side of the monitor and holds paper up) 

26.    Velcro your speakers to the side of your monitor! 

27.    If you have a say in it, purchase computers with towers – gives you more space! 

28.    Place monitor on table so students look straight at it or down a little.  Check for correct posture. 

29.    Encourage student “Experts”. 

30.    Use headphones!  KPS is VERY audio intense! 

31.     Rule: You may “explode” your picture twice in one day.  After that, you’re stuck with what you have (unless you want to use your “pencil” eraser tool.) 

32.     Create a “code” for saving pictures: A for Art,  N for Nutrition, etc + student’s initials.  All slides for one slideshow will be grouped together and students can easily locate their own slide for editing. 

33.     If students are creating their own slideshow, save with their initials and a number (title slide is 1, next slide is 2, etc.) 

34.     Invest in an inexpensive computer microphone if you don’t already have one.  Students can easily record themselves, play back their recording (on headphones) and either save or re-record. 

35.     Older students can create teaching slideshows for younger grades. 

36.     Use the program yourself!  Create a “Welcome to our class” slideshow for the 1st day of school.  Then let a student  “committee” create their own version. 

37.     Create a flashcard slideshow for sight words or math facts. 

38.     Color code flashcard backgrounds for different levels. 

39.     Adjust the timing of flashcards for different levels. 

40.     Avoid using the thinnest pencil line. It is easier to leave "holes" with a thin pencil, and when students try to pour paint into an outline, it will "spill" through the holes. The second-thinnest line is best for drawing. 

41.     Pictures always look better when they are hand drawn. Keep the use of stamps to minimum. 

42.     Kid Pix slides can be printed, the pages, laminated and assembled in book format. 

43.     Don't record sounds for the individual pictures; this is done later when assembling the slide show. 

44.     Rearrange the pictures in your slide show by dragging  them from one truck to another.  Blank trucks will not show up on your slide show. 

45.     It is very important to save the slide show file in the same folder with the pictures. If you move the show to another computer, or to another drive, you must move the separate picture files,  too, and they must all be located in the same folder. 

46.     OR… you can choose File/Save as StandAlone. This one file contains the show and pictures; it is larger and is read-only (cannot be edited). 

47.     Never save your slide show as a StandAlone without first saving it normally! 

48.     Draw a picture by writing words!  Choose the Wacky Paintbrush.  Go to Toolbox and choose Alphabet Text.  Write in a word.  Select the ABC button on the bottom of the screen and “paint” with your word!. 

49.     Create a field trip scrapbook by importing photos of your trip onto individual slides.  Have students record a caption for each picture of your slide show. 

50.     Use the alphabet stamps and the enlarging technique to feature vocabulary, student names, etc.  To write sentences, use the typewriter tool. 

51.      Last, but certainly not least, SAVE SAVE SAVE your work OFTEN!!!