The GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) is free to download and if you use it you can support it by making a donation on their website. It is easy to download and you can get started right away.
GIMP is very easy to use, allowing you to add images to your lessons and teaching projects quickly. Nearly any lesson printout that you create on the computer can be enhanced with pictures. Adding visually appealing details to lessons will engage students and encourage them to read the material.
Writing Prompts Using GIMP
Using one of your own photographs or a picture you find online which is free for non-commercial use and modification, you can create your own writing prompts for students of any age or level. Choose a picture and modify it as you like using GIMP. Add it to lined paper and print it out and you have created your own unique writing prompt.
A writing prompt can be used for any subject. A picture could be used to stimulate writing for a science journal, for social studies, for art class in addition to creative writing. Add some text to help students if necessary, such as a picture of a dark cloud over the ocean with trees on the beach blowing in the wind might be accompanied by a prompt such as, What sort of weather might be coming?
Creating a Class Newsletter with the Help of GIMP
Any subject can lead itself to the creation of a class newsletter. Students, teachers and parents can submit pictures from class activities and field trips as well as of special projects, science fairs and class pets. Whether you create the newsletter for the class or have student participation, add pictures and captions.
Copy or import the pictures to GIMP and then modify them as needed. Include citations and descriptions of the people and places for the newsletter. Students will become eager and excited to see moments from their lives on the published page.
Other Teaching Ideas Incorporating Images from GIMP
Any project you can imagine can be improved with pictures. The next time you envision a creative lesson idea, consider ways you could add images to it. As you become more adept at using GIMP, it might inspire you to invent lesson ideas too.
Keep in mind that GIMP is just meant for use with modifying graphics. You may need a word processing program, a desktop publishing program or something with additional functionality in order to fulfill all your needs and creative endeavors.
More Suggestions Using GIMP:
- Picture of the Day - every day have a different picture for students. As a bell ringer activity, for extra credit, or for writing practice, they can use the picture as a writing prompt.
- Class Web Page - use submitted photos and improve them for a polished and exciting class project for students to access and admire their classwork throughout the year.
- Create a class logo - use GIMP to make a text bitmap image of a special phrase or acronym and modify it for a one-of-a-kind look
- Science Experiments - pictures of difficult steps can be taken and displayed to help students
- Famous Landmarks - pictures of famous places from around the world can be shared with students. They can display their knowledge of geography and history by stating where the landmark is and why it is important.
- Biology - show a picture of a plant or animal and let the students try to identify it. Access to a computer can be helpful as students try to narrow down possible species based on the clues in the picture.
- Create Diagrams - share with students pictures of complicated concepts such as DNA strands which you might not have the time or materials to replicate for the classroom.
- Studying Vocabulary - use pictures to illustrate difficult vocabulary words, create a vocabulary flipbook or a poster with challenging words
Once GIMP becomes a part of your teaching ideas toolbox, you will be inspired with many more activities and enhancements. Experiment with some of the options within the program. It is an easy program to use with many powerful image editing options.
Angela Kleinow - I graduated from the University of Michigan, where I focused on Science Fiction and Fantasy for my senior seminar while working with the ...
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