Kidspiration® Graphic Organizer Templates Support Pearson Scott Foresman's New Elementary Social Studies Textbooks

New Tools Help Teachers Easily Integrate Visual Learning into Curriculum

PORTLAND, OR — Feb. 25, 2004
Inspiration Software®, Inc. today announced the availability of Kidspiration® activity templates that match lessons in the newly revised Pearson Scott Foresman K-6 social studies textbooks. Developed in collaboration with Pearson Scott Foresman, these activities use graphic organizers to help students better understand, compare and analyze social studies concepts. Each textbook includes eight or more "Explore Activities" and 20 graphic organizer templates.

More than three million elementary students worldwide use the software program Kidspiration to build graphic organizers by combining pictures, text and spoken words to represent and organize thoughts and information. Available for complimentary download at www.inspiration.com/Examples/Kidspiration, the new social studies activity templates will work with the original Kidspiration and with Kidspiration 2, the newest version of the visual learning software, launched in January 2004.

Pearson Scott Foresman's Social Studies is designed to help students learn how geography, economics and government impact their lives and world. Comprehensive treatment of all the major social studies strands helps prepare students to be active, responsible and informed citizens.

Student reading comprehension, development of thinking and learning skills, and overall achievement are improved when graphic organizers are used to support teaching and learning, according to "Graphic Organizers: A Review of the Scientifically Based Research," a study conducted by the Institute for the Advancement of Research in Education (IARE) at AEL and sponsored by Inspiration Software.

"Graphic organizers are well-suited to help young learners gain a deep understanding of the concepts that they learn in social studies," said Mona Westhaver, president and co-founder, Inspiration Software. "We are pleased to work with a leading educational publisher, such as Pearson Scott Foresman, to ensure that teachers have access to visual learning tools for making the topics they teach on a daily basis come alive for students."

About Inspiration Software, Inc.
Recognized as the leader in visual thinking and learning, Inspiration Software, Inc. develops and publishes innovative software tools that inspire learners of all ages to brainstorm, organize, plan and create. With more than 10 million users worldwide, the company's award-winning software is revolutionizing visual learning in education—inspiring students to develop strong thinking and organizational skills and improve their academic performance. Founded by Donald Helfgott and Mona Westhaver, the company's mission is to support improvements in education and make a positive difference in students' lives by providing software tools that help students learn to think.
 

About Pearson Scott Foresman
The world's leading elementary educational publisher, Pearson Scott Foresman offers high-quality programs in all disciplines, including reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and music. Specialized imprints include Silver Burdett Music and Silver Burdett Ginn Religion.