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	Educational Activities The Winnipeg School Division No. 1
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Grade 5 Number N-I.2.5

Kid Works 2

(Activity developed by Doug Illsey, Inner City Support Teacher)

From: Grades 5 to 8 Mathematics, A Foundation for Implementation, Manitoba Education and Training, 1997, pp. E-4

Number

N-I.2.5 reads and writes numerals and number words to 100 000

Kid Works 2

This program is powerful in that it has a basic speaking component in the Story Writer. Students can use this feature to self check their work.

Have a number of cards available so that each student/pair/group will receive at least 6 different cards. The student will use these card to make their numbers.

Open Kid Works 2

Go to Story Illustrator

Using the Open Square tool, draw a small card shape. Copy and Paste to have 6 cards in a row.

Using the Typewriter, identify each card to correspond to the cards given by the teacher.

The cards are then rearranged to build numbers.

You may give directions for this such as:

What is the largest possible number, smallest possible number etc. Students may also make their own choice and give reasons for this decision if requested to do so.

Save the picture.

A printed or copied set of number would be useful for the second portion of this activity.

Go to Story Writer.

Each number will now be entered in numerals followed by the number words.

Clicking on the Speaker Button, the students will check to see if their work is correct. Editing will make any necessary corrections.

Combining the Illustration and the Story will allow students to print out their work for recording/posting/sharing etc.

Extensions:

This idea of writing and reading of numbers can be used throughout the elementary grades. Number into 1 000 000 are addressed in the Grade Six portion of the curriculum.

I have found however that a comma must be placed in the configuration so that the word will be read correctly. The use of the comma may have to be discussed with the students so that they realize the optional use being given.

Click here to download the file NI25.kw2 in Internet Explorer.

Using Kid Works 2

Classroom or Lab Applications

Kid Works 2 is a basic Writing, and Drawing program intended for the Early Years students. There is a reading component to this program that I feel opens a number of opportunities for other applications. We must be very mindful of the programs that we have across The Division and work to maximize their use and application in our programming.

Due to the limitations of the Saving and Sharing of Kid Works 2 files, the traditional activity type of files are not available. However this is really an advantage for our students. Taken out of the activity format, the program becomes more open ended and is therefore a tool for them to use to illustrate and write their thoughts during the problem solving process.

Students with ESL background find the Talking Button most supportive. Their work may be edited before posting or presenting in a public forum.

I might suggest that you use oral directions/instructions while working with Kid Works 2. Cards containing words, numbers, operational signs etc. may be supplied with the activity. The cards may have been generated by the students in previous activities and retained for future use.

As our expectations may bush the intent of the program, you may have to make slight modifications to the files to have them read more clearly. You may use the Speech Editor to "teach" the program new words or terms. Spacing within the written document might also need some adjusting to slow the reading or rephrase the words. I found that putting a period after the title introduced the pause necessary for a more clear understanding. A comma between a list of numbers made the reading slower and gave the separation needed for understanding. In large numbers, you will have to use a comma so that the number will be read correctly. You might find returns and extra spacing valuable. Most students will pick up on these alterations, however you will have to make these changes part of the teaching process, especially where other rules are being bent a little.

All files may be combined with each component for printing a hard copy and exported for sharing digitally. Once exported the file may not be edited.

Accessing/Importing Saved Kid Works 2 Files

Under Story Player, go to Sharing and Cleanup. You will get another dialogue box, look for the drive (it may be S, T, or A) and find the file name. Click on the name and then OK. The file should now be in the Kid Works 2 program. Remember that in this format, you will only be able to Play/view the file; no editing may be done at this time.

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