Review of Sumo Paint

As a future educator it is up to me to think of fun and creative ways to teach my class. Being an early childhood educator it is my job to assure that each of my students to growing to their potential. As the times change so must teaching strategies.
Here is a review of an app I was given, called Sumo Paint, that will help aid in the comprehension of subject material in a creative way.

What does this app do?
If any of you own a computer you probably know what Paint is. This program allows the user to create any form of visual art that they desire. They can add many different filters that they desire including, but not limited to: 3D effects, blurring their image, distorting it, sharpening the image or even adding texture. Along with that they can layer their photos or drawings or add shadows.
This app allows freedom of creativity with multiple sources of style and forms.

More info on this tool!
This tool has some other cool features, that as teachers, we will surly enjoy.
At the top left hand corner of the program is a little american flag. When clicked on a drop down menu appears and gives you the option to choose from a large number of flags/languages. This will allow the user to pick whatever language they want. The features, directions and extras now fit the language preference of the user.
Cannot be found as an app for Apple phones. Just a computer program.

Creating integrated art experiences in the classroom!
Using this app as a way to teach certain subjects could be a fun way to teach your students.
For example: if i was to teach earth and space science in a third grade classroom I could use this program to assign students group projects that would demonstrate their knowledge of the subject. If for that project our unit was over recycling and its effects to the community. Have groups of students create flyers demonstrating a plan to reduce the use of a specific resource at your school. Then have them post them around the school. Here is my plan to reduce the use of paper.

For first grade language literacy you could read your class a short story of scenery or description of a character. After that you could have them create what they saw in their minds eye.

This is my creation of Ron Wesley from Harry Potter

Why use this?

This program is fun and creative. It gives students freedom to express their understanding of the curriculum in a way of their choosing. It is a good source to motivate students into learning. Students could use this to create their own digital media artifacts. They could upload it to the class blog, print them out and hang them in the class or even go home and create their own art portolio.

Usage

This program is easy to use in the sense that everything is labeled and has pictures to accompany the words. It has everything displayed, meaning students do not have to go and search for effects they would like to use. 

It could be challenging to a user for the plain and simple reason that you have to freestyle your drawing using a mouse. Creating art can be hard using just a mouse. This program also does not have a tutorial in how to use it. It is mostly trial and error...a lot of error.