Math Objectives:

• identify geometric shapes
• view everyday objects as combinations of shapes
• develop spatial sense

Computer Objectives:

• introduce KidPix eraser tool
• introduce the fill tool
• introduce the use of the letter stamp
• develop fine motor skill with the mouse

Teacher Preparation: Create a template file on your computer hard drive or floppy disk which contains a large black rectangle.

Anticipatory Set: After a discussion on shapes and colors as appropriate for the grade, share a picture book such as White on Black by Tana Hoban or Color Zoo by Lois Ehlert. Talk about ways that the pictures could have been created. Locate shapes in the pictures.

Procedure: Demonstrate activity for children by doing the following:

1. Open the template for the project.

2. Click on the size/shape for the eraser that you want to use to create your picture. (First four only!)

3. Move the cursor to the center of the black square. Hold down the mouse button and begin to move the mouse, erasing the shape which you wish to draw. Erase the inside of your shape, not just the outline.

You will have created a basic White on Black picture at this point. You would probably stop here with students doing this type of activity for the first time. Students would save or print their work as you wish. Following are some options for increasing the difficulty of this activity:

Option 1 Title

4. Click on the Alphabet Stamp tool in the toolbox on the left of the screen.

5. Click on the first letter you wish to use.

6. Click under (beside?) your picture to write a title one letter at a time. (Notice that only half of the alphabet shows at one time. Use the arrows at the right of the line to change the selection of letters available.)

 

Option 2 More Complex Picture

7. Click on the Paint Can tool in the toolbox.

8. Click on the color paint you wish to use for your shape.

9. Use the mouse to move the tip of the spilling paint into the shape you have erased and click to spill the paint out.

10. Erase a smaller shape inside this newly colored shape.

11. Fill this shape in with a third color.

12. Consider erasing a border around your picture and filling it in with a pattern.