BrainPOP Blog

Jaclyn McLaren is a 6th grade Earth Science teacher at Webb Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta, GA.

I have been teaching 6^th Grade Earth Science for six years and we have been able to use BrainPOP, thanks to a PTA grant, for the past five years at my school.   The teachers at my school use the resources on a daily basis.  BrainPOP brings an innovative educational experience to our classrooms where the students look forward to learning in this creative way.  They enthusiastically focus on the fresh new ideas offered during these movies and continue on to the final questions with much anticipation.

This year though I wanted to do something different as a test review.  I was thinking how I could incorporate BrainPOP into my classroom.  Then it came to me, I would have students create their own videos on topics taught in class.  The students would get in groups and I would assign them each a different topic discussed over the school year.  I decided to incorporate this idea for use as a year end review.  The students overwhelmingly agreed how exciting it would be to create their own videos on topics taught in the class.  They formed groups of three to four classmates in which I assigned a different topic discussed over the course of the year.

Each group created a 3-5 minute skit BrainPOP style.  The video began with an introduction letter reading the question, the actors wearing their specifically designed t-shirts, and the rest of the video consisted of detailed information regarding their topic.  They then followed up with a 10 question quiz and answer key to give to students.  Each group member was required to do research on the topic and act in the video.  Then each group member was assigned a task.  One member was the writer of the script, one was the quiz maker, and one was the t-shirt designer.  They were then given a timeline for each task at which time I approved and returned them. Finally, they had 2-3 weeks to film the video.

It was so amazing to see the students’ creativity come alive with the videos, added background music and even bloopers.  We then took a few days in class to watch the BrainPOP videos, the quiz makers displaying their questions on the activeboard, and the students answering questions at their desk.  My 6^th grade students will definitely remember this project and all had a great time proudly viewing their finished products.  As a teacher it was nice to see them take on tasks as editors, actors, writers, and designers.  They all did a great job.

Worry nevermore, BrainPOP now has an  Edgar Allan Poe movie!  We profile the 19th century author’s background and career as a writer, as well as his influence on gothic literature.  Join Tim and Moby as they explore the common themes found among some of his most famous literary works, including “The Tell Tale Heart, “The Raven,” and “The Fall of the House of Usher.”  While Poe’s style is mostly gothic and gloomy, don’t be fooled.  Students will learn about the author’s softer side and discover pieces of literature that are not as dark.  The movie is the perfect resource for teaching students about the gothic horror genre, poetry, and the classic author.  The FYI section that accompanies the movie offers some insight to the myths and mysteries surrounding Poe, as well as famous quotations from the man himself.

We’re excited about the ability for users of BrainPOP and Google Apps to connect the services. By doing so, everyone benefits from the ease of single sign on (sso) and the ability to send quiz scores directly to a Google spreadsheet. The embedded slideshow below will walk you through the ease of installation, but if you want a more detailed explanation, check out the webinar from March 2012. If you’re in a school that uses Google Apps and BrainPOP already, this integration is a no brainer!

BrainPOP is excited to announce our collaboration with Teach for All, a global network of social enterprises that is working to expand educational opportunity in nations all around the world.  Many have heard of Teach for America, the program that puts motivated college graduates into high needs schools in the US, but fewer know that international interest in the Teach For America model spawned Teach For All (TFALL), which was launched at the Clinton Global Initiative conference in September 2007. Today, the TFALL network includes organizations in twenty-three countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East, with programs in an additional 10-20 countries expected to join in the next two years alone.  Are you currently working with a Teach For All partner school?  If so, take a look in the TFALL Synergies community for an exciting opportunity that includes access to BrainPOP!

With the rise in popularity of games based learning, we are hearing more and more about game based assessment.  Though we believe that students learn a great deal and exercise their “problem solving” muscles from playing well designed games, it’s a hard thing to quantify!  In response to this challenge, many organizations are supporting research and development endeavors and are looking to you, expert educators, for guidance.

Specifically, ETS,  designers of the SAT, the GRE and the AP examinations is pleased to announce the official launch of the ETS Assessment Games Design Challenge!  ETS is encouraging game developers and educators to create a math assessment task in the form of a game. One grand prize winner will receive $7,000 and the winner and thee runners-up will receive an all-expense-paid trip to showcase the winning project in a learning and games demo space at ETS in Princeton, N.J.

ETS is looking for innovative ideas that produce evidence of students’ knowledge, skills and abilities in mathematics. The assessment tasks should be based on a Learning Progression for a field of mathematics in grades K–12. The ETS Assessment Games Challenge features three categories of entry:

•             Variables and Equality Learning Progression (approximately grades 5–9)

•             Linear Functions Learning Progression (approximately grades 7–10)

•             Open entry for another Learning Progression in any other K–12 mathematical content

The ETS Assessment Games Challenge will accept entries from May 1, 2012, through August 17, 2012. Complete guidelines and details on how to enter are available at www.ETSGamesChallenge.com.

Many BrainPOP Educators are embracing games based learning, so we thought you’d be interested in knowing about an opportunity to share your expertise and knowledge.

The Microsoft Partners in Learning 2012 US Forum is Microsoft’s premier educator recognition program open to all K-12 educators. The Forum seeks to find and showcase examples of innovation happening in classrooms and schools. It is easy to apply, and if accepted, Microsoft pays expenses for you to come to a unique 2-day professional learning experience that will include project exhibitions, professional development and the ability to collaborate with like-minded colleagues from around the country. Finalists from the US Forum will go on to represent the U.S. at the 2012 Global Forum in Athens, Greece. Learn more and apply: http://bit.ly/US_Forum

Final application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time May 15, 2012.

Unfortunately scheduled presenter Mike Amante is unavailable to present this afternoon.  Though we are disappointed not to hear from him, we are pleased that Lisa Johnson will be joing us instead. Lisa has a tremendous knowledge of the free ios app landscape.  Her passion for helping teachers identify the best educational apps has led her to develop “techchef4you,” an app that indexes free educational apps by subject. It’s getting a lot of buzz, because it’s awesome! Lisa will share some of her favorite apps with you, our dedicated BrainPOP educators. Same time, Same place

For more info about Lisa See her bio below!

We look forward to seeing you this afternoon, and we will also let you know when we reschedule Mike’s webinar.

About Lisa Johnson:

Appaholic, Apptivity Author, Social Geek, iPad Evangelist, WordPress Addict, MOPS Mom, Caffeine Dependent. After graduating with a degree in elementary education with an English certification, Lisa taught secondary mathematics and began writing technology-infused curriculum for Computer Explorers. She then completed her master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction & Technology Integration and was “appy” to take an an Instructional Technology Position with North East ISD in TX. Her love for “cooking up” technology integrated lessons, the need for a creative & productive outlet, and a social and collaborative venue led her to create the techchef4u blog in early May of 2011. As a tech chef, she wants to share these dishes with the world. The Mumford & Sons song, “Awake Your Soul,” says it best, “Where you invest your love, you invest your life.”

Date: Wednesday, May 9, 2012 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM (ET)

Location: click here to access the webinar

Wednesday, May 9 3:00PM ET:
The App-solute Best Advice with Mike Amante

Overwhelmed by lists describing “the best” educational apps for iOS? Need advice and guidance for what to use . . . tomorrow? Have no fear, BrainPOP is here! This week we are thrilled to welcome Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified teacher, and New York based technology integrationist mastermind Mike Amante for a inspiring hour exploring educational trends in mobility, the best apps for iOS, and useful advice about best pedagogical practice.

We’re spotlighting Sports & Fitness and Practical Math this month, so be sure to check out the collection of movies and other resources featured throughout all of May.   The arrival of warmer weather moves kids outdoors, so why not cover some topics they can take outside with them?  Our Soccer, Football, and Fitness movies can get kids up and moving while our Bicycle Safety movie is a perfect refresher for students before they hit the road.  With Baseball season in full swing, our Jackie Robinson movie is a valuable resource for teaching about the history of the sport.  Students often ask, “Why do we need to learn this?”  Answer their question with the featured topics and resources in the Practical Math spotlight.  From Comparing Prices to Estimating, we’ve included math concepts that students can apply to everyday life outside of the classroom.