BrainPOP, BrainPOP Jr., BrainPOP Espanol, and BrainPOP Francais are now available for grades K-8! BrainPOP creates cross-curricular content digital content that engages students and supports teachers including animated movies, student creation and reflection tools, learning games, interactive quizzes, and customizable assessments. For more ideas on how BrainPOP can be used in the classroom, click here.

How do I access BrainPOP?
You can access BrainPOP through your Google waffle (click More at the bottom). On an iPad, go to brainpop.com. In the upper right corner, tap login. Then you can login with G Suite for Education.

How do I set up a class in BrainPOP?
If you use Google Classroom, you can import your entire class. If not, follow the directions listed below to create a class.

Teacher:

1. Log in to BrainPOP or BrainPOP Jr.
2. Click on My Classes (top left)

If you use Google Classroom, select Import New Classes. Select the class(es) that you want to import and Import Selected Classes.
To create a class, select New Class. Type your class name and create a class code.

How do students access BrainPOP?
Students should go to the BrainPOP website (brainpop.com or jr.brainpop.com). If accessing BrainPOP for the first time, students should follow the steps below to login using Google.

Select LOG IN (top right).
Click the G Suite for Education login option.
Students should enter their Google login info if they have not already done so.
At the next log in screen, DO NOT LOG IN! Instead, click Make a new account.
Click the I have a code button and enter the class code provided by the teacher.

Students can add BrainPOP to the home screen of their iPad by logging in to either BrainPOP or BrainPOP Jr., tapping the share button, and selecting Add to Home Screen. This will create a shortcut to the website that looks like an app on the iPad’s home screen.

Explore!
You can search topics or click on a subject area. Everything you find can be assigned to students. Get a quick introduction to all the different activities by clicking on the slides presentations for BrainPOP and BrainPOP Jr. The slides give a quick preview and then the speaker notes expand on each feature.

There is so much on BrainPOP! BrainPOP Educators will help you get started and learn more ways to enhance student learning. If you need help navigating, getting your students set up, or ideas on integrating BrainPOP into your classroom please contact your tech integrator.

Picture: When you find a vocabulary word in the novel we're reading

From Memes.com

Every subject area contains vocabulary that is essential to student success. As students move from grade to grade, content vocabulary becomes all the more important. How can we help students not only retain definitions, but be able to apply the words?

For Unit Lists:

Digital Vocabulary Menus

Amp up the traditional paper menu by going digital. A digital option opens up a world of possibilities while continuing to offer student choice and individual learning. I have seen digital menus in Google Slides: the teacher has the menu on the first slide complete with hyperlinks, and then the student adds slides to complete the menu. I have also seen menus in Google Docs: the teacher creates the menu complete with hyperlinks and then the students can add more hyperlinks to turn in their work. What could be included in a Digital Vocabulary Menu?

Digital Menu Example

Quizlet

Traditionally students make flashcards and work to memorize the definition. Quizlet begins with that traditional approach, but then takes learning to the next level as students can add pictures and play games with the words. You can create the vocabulary list and share it with students, or students can create it themselves.

Quizizz or Kahoot!

Both of these apps feature a more gamified approach to vocabulary. There are searchable databases of teacher created and teacher shared games that you can use and deploy to your students, or you have the option to create your own games. These can be played at a student’s pace and assigned for extra study or practice, or could be used during class in real time. Both have features to track the most missed questions. Warning: students may get academically competitive!

Adobe Spark Post/Canva

Have students make a visual representation of the words using either of Adobe Spark Post or Canva. Both apps are very similar as they resemble a poster that students can either start with a blank slate or template. From there students can add text, photos, and change the background.

Google Slides Template

Slides already has a flashcards template that students can personalize with unit vocabulary. To get to Slides Templates, go into the Slides app, tap the pencil to create a new presentation, and tap “Choose from template”. Remember with Slides students can collaborate – each student in class could research and define one term from the Google Slides presentation (a digital jigsaw!).

Slides Template

iBrainstorm or POPPLET

Both of these apps can be used to create graphic organizers. Students could complete word maps to further explore the unit vocabulary.

For Continued Study:

IXL

In the real world our students will not be given a list of words to study; instead they will suddenly come across a word and will have to figure out what it means. IXL starts vocabulary skills in first grade with word meanings and then continues increasing in intensity each grade level to build not only in rigor but also in content. By third grade students are exploring Greek and Latin roots, context clues, and prefixes and suffixes. English Language Arts teachers have teacher login access and student classes.

IXL Greek and Latin Roots

Does all this sound good, but you don’t know where to start? Ask your Tech Integrator for help! Together we can discuss what would work best for your students with you class structure and curricular demands.

Archives: February 2018

BrainPOP and BrainPOP Jr.

Reinforcing Vocabulary with a Digital Twist