Kidspiration and Inspiration

This week was fun checking out Kidspiration and Inspiration. The site was easy to use, no perspiration needed! I really enjoyed kidspiration because it had so many fun things for kids and I proclaim to be a kid at heart. Kidspiration was definately inspired. One of the main things I hear from the teachers I work with is how they hate writing lesson plans for substitutes. With Kidspiration planning a lesson would be so much easier. Every math page was warm and inviting, which for math is exciting. A few weeks ago one of the teachers I work with was on a measurement unit. I thought about how fun it would have been to use the pages on Kidspiration where students measure things in the house. The graphics and color of the pages are very inviting for kids. When I was in Elementary School I had a hard time with math because my teacher didn't explain things very well. I got stuck on the alligator concept for less than and greater than. Anyway, looking at the basic concepts of math on Kidspiration would help my students understand better. I loved the sheet where it broke down the number in ten's and one's etc. It seems people either love math or hate it. I believe students hate it because they haven't been taught the best way for them. Everyone has different learning styles. Because I struggle with math I want my students to conquer it. Using these great programs such as Kidspiration will help in reaching this goal.
Another subject I really liked on Kispiration is Social Studies. There are some great maps that excite the senses. There are also some great games to see what you know about the branches of government. Knowing the branches of government and what they do will help students all the way up to High School. My own kids who have taken Citizenship and Government, a required class to graduate, have to know what the different branches responsibilities are. Now, High School students can look to their younger brothers and sisters, who have an amazing, engaging teacher that uses Kidspiration in the classroom.
Another thing I liked about Kidspiration are the charts that you can create and the clip art that is available to you. Inspiration had some neat features for creating charts, like the fire button (I think that is what it was called)that creates several caption circles. I wish I could play around with the programs longer. I am sure I just touched the surface. Thanks to those who were inspired to create Kidspiration and Inspiration!