Activinspire

For this project, we used a program called ActivInspire to produce "flipcharts" that act as interactive activities or lessons that can be easily incorporated into a lesson plan. Essentially, ActivInspire is software that allows teachers to create lessons that are both hands-on and informative. It is extremely similar to SMART Board, but I think it’s a little more interactive and creatively set up. It effectively increases collaboration and facilitates efficiency in the classroom, something teachers are working to do all the time. 

For my ActivInspire, I focused on CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.MD.C.8, which is a Common Core math standard for second grade. It states that students are required to solve word problems involving dollar bills, quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies, using $ and ¢ symbols appropriately. I based my lesson on the assumption that students are already familiar with the types of coins and bills and have already begun 

adding them together. 

The first three slides are meant to be a review—they go over the names, values, and appearance of the coins and bills. The next slides require students to count up various amounts of bills and coins. Some slides ask them to use the appropriate symbols and others ask them to drag-a-copy of the bills and coins in order to answer the question. The questions are intended for students to practice their addition and money counting. The last question, specifically, requires them to make their own purchase using more than one object in an attempt to solidify their word-problem solving skills.

I really feel as though this program is one that would be really useful in the classroom in several different capacities. It’s incredibly interactive and could potentially be well integrated in order to foster engagement and 

collaboration. Although it is a little bit difficult to learn at first, once I got the hang of it I felt as though it was easy enough to make once and use it for a very long time. The added usefulness of Promethean Planet—the online resource for ActivInspire—makes it simple to find inspiration and ideas. I would most definitely use both flipcharts that I’ve made or downloaded from the internet in my classroom. Whether using them for math, english, science, or history, I know that students will be excited to get up and work together at the board. ActivInspire will be a great option if I'm looking to integrate technology and want to get a clear message across.