What is Pixie 2?

Pixie 2 is a drawing program that can be saved as individual pictures, saved as
a movie, or as a web page. It includes clip art, backgrounds, sound, and
stickers. You can export a drawing to be used in other programs.

Description

Pixie 2 by Tech 4 Learning allows students the ability to create their own original art and writing projects on their computer. Easy to use drawing tools make graphic design a snap for students in all grades. Teachers will find the pre-made lessons and activities easy to find and use with students, or can let their class start with a blank canvas where the only limit is a child's imagination.

Curriculum Connections

Pixie2 provides opportunities for teachers in Elementary and Middle Schools to support their instruction across the curriculum. Pre-made lessons and activities are available within the program and categorized by subject areas:

My Activities - where students can store their work
All About Me - activities to tell your story
Language Arts - Alphabet, Parts of Speech, Reading, and Writing
Math- Fractions, Measurement, Money, Number Facts, Patterns, and more!
Science - Earth & Space, Health, Biology, Matter, Seasons, and Weather
Social Studies - Community, Culture, Geography, History, Maps
Holidays - Activities sortable by months
Foreign Languages - French, German, and Spanish Activities

Pixie 2 is customizable for grade and learning level. Additionally, it provides visual and auditory options appropriate for students with special needs.

Templates - Dozens of ready made sheets

Search for lessons and content standards correlations for Pixie Activities at the Tech 4 Learning Integration site.

Manor ISD has created template examples for primary grades: http://www.manorisd.net/technology/integration/tech4learning/science_K2.html

Pixie 2 is Easy to Use!

Examples

Click on any picture below to see a full size image of projects made in Pixie2.

Math Activity - Flag Fractions
Language Arts Activity - Singular Nouns
Digital Storytelling Activity - Where Do I Belong?
Science Activity - Order the Planets
Social Studies Activity - Maryland, My Maryland

Equipment Needed

Networked computer for student access. Pixie 2 has been virtualized in all FCPS Elementary Schools and is accessible via the Application Menu in the Multimedia Folder.
A trial verion of Pixie 2 can be downloaded at http://www.tech4learning.com/pixie. FCPS Teachers can also acquire a work at home release form and software from their school's technology coordinator.
If you would like students to record narration on their pictures, you will need microphone headsets or desktop microphones.
This is a purchased learning tool. Prices for 5-24 licenses are currently around $40 per license, with staggered discounts for more licenses. A grant might be required according to school district for purchase of program.

Tutorials and Resources

Watch an introductory video about Pixie 2 at the Tech 4 Learning website
Pixie 2 "Recipe" Tutorial available from Tech 4 Learning's "Recipes4Success" website
Pixie 2 Toolbar Quick Guide- (PDF)
Pixie 2 Toolbar for Kids- (PDF) - A nice quick guide for students to take to the computer lab.
Trading Post: This Tech4Learning website is a place where educators can upload their Pixie templates, activities, and lesson plans. They are there for you to download and use with your class! Sign up for free.
Pics4Learning: Teachers and students can use the copyright-friendly image library from Pics4Learning.
Tech 4 Learning also provides technology professional development options, including workshops, hands-on seminars, and webinars.
Pixie 2 - "Kid Pix on Steroids" http://parkview70.net/documents/technology/inservice%20handout.pdf - (PDF) This is a comprehensive guide to Pixie 2 used in a recent In-Service
Training Lesson Plan.doc - creating a podcast with Pixie 2

Quick Tips

Pixie Integration Ideas - Additional Integration Ideas

Science

Illustrate Life Cycles
Sort by Living and Non-Living
Illustrate the Water Cycle or the Rock Cycle
Illustrate weather for the week
Sort objects by sink or float
Label parts of an insect, parts of a flower, layers of the earth, planets in the solar system, layers of the rainforest, etc.
Food Chains and Food Webs
Food Pyramids
Differences between whales and fish
Differences between the different types of rock
Illustrate a hypothesis to an experiment. Then, perform the experiment and illustrate conclusion. Compare hypothesis and results.
Create trading cards of different rocks, minerals, or elements
Design a kite
Design a Christmas ornament
Paint a self-portrait
Label a color wheel