Best program for K-8

I am a new computer teacher for K-8. I have found SO many great free software programs to use.

It is overwhelming. I'd like to find one program that is easy enough for the little kids, but more challenging for the middle grades. I'd like a program where the students can produce their own art work, create stories, narrate, animate, upload their own photos, video etc.

I have looked at hyperstudio, and several on Tech4 learning. Frames specifically.

I would appreciate any input on which you have used and enjoy and why. If there is another application that produces the same results, that would be great as well.

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Jessica (Barth) Steffel on June 15, 2010 at 9:06pm

We have purchased scholastic Keys for our word processing needs. It is simple enough for K students to make elaborate presentations and documents, meeting that 'creation' standard. It is a great lead-in to other products they can use at older grades. You can even distribute templates, clipart, etc. to students.

I just haven't found the perfect way to publish their creations to the web for inclusion on our wiki, but I'm sure it can be done!

Jessica

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Permalink Reply by Lorraine on June 16, 2010 at 3:16am

You may want to take a look at Scratch as a possible option. http://www.scratch.mit.edu It is possible for students to produce their own art work with the simple paint editor, create stories with a simple text tool, narrate their stories with their own recorded sound and sound effects, animate their sprites that they create and upload their own photos and videos. http://info.scratch.mit.edu/tour/telling-stories-scratch Initially you may want to create a model script for them to follow. You can start with a simple project such as a series of images that include pictures and text similar to a slideshow and add animation and sound as the students advance through the years.