Thursday, March 22, 2012

Do You Brain Pop?

Hey yall! Friday is so close I can smell it....almost there. I think I can, I think I can...

Do you know who these little characters are?
 
If you don't know who they are, you are living in the dark ages, my friend.

But if you are, in fact, living in the dark ages, then let me introduce you to Annie and her robot friend Moby.

These are the awesome little characters from Brain Pop Jr., my most favorite online resource.

We seriously watch a Brain Pop video 2-3 times a week...sometimes in a day! 

Take today for example. 

We had a little health lesson on sugar. First, we watched a Brain Pop video on how to eat healthy, and not eat or drink things with too much sugar. Then we completed a little activity that showed us how much sugar are in sodas, chocolate milk, and fruit punch.

2012-03-22_10-28-32_177.jpg 
This is how much sugar is in one can of Coke. Umm....does not that gross you out? Yuck. 

Then during English, we started learning about homophones. So how did I introduce my littles to homophones? Why, with Annie and Moby, of course! We watched a funny video that taught us all about the different types of homonyms.

Then we read the book "Dear Deer" by Gene Baretta and brainstormed our own list of homophones.

 
My littles LOVED this book. Except for one. He kept saying, "I just don't get it. I wish I did....but I don't." 
I tried to explain each page to him, but he just kept shaking his head..ha!

We also started our plant study this week, and guess how many videos Brain Pop has on plants....4! Well, 5 if you count the video about George Washington Carver...which I don't. Because, of course, we watched that video when we were completing his biography earlier this year :)

I really love to use Brain Pop videos to introduce a new concept. It's a great way to catch their attention and hook them from the get go. It doesn't hurt that the videos are funny, either.

I really hope that your school or district has a subscription to this awesome resource, because it really is amazing. Every video has an activity that goes along with it, as well as a coordinating word wall, online game, two types of quizzes, and some funny little cartoons! There are even lesson plans that coordinate with the videos! Seriously, if you don't have a subscription, I think it is totally worth it to pay out of your own pocket. Yes, it's a little expensive at $135 a year for up to three classrooms, but it is honestly worth every penny.

Brain Pop Jr. is geared towards K-3rd and Brain Pop is geared towards the older grades. But honestly? I think the older grades would enjoy the Jr. videos as well, and we have definitely watched some of the older videos. If you don't have a subscription, there are also a ton of free videos! 
I'm a BrainPOP Educator Badge
Real quick before I go, I just wanted to share a sweet little acrostic poem one of my students gave me today.

 

Melt my heart :) Seriously, it's the little things.

Any crazies going to see the midnight showing of The Hunger Games tonight? More power to you...I just could not do it. But my BFF and I are planning to go see it tomorrow, right after work. Can't wait!

Night yall!

Oh, p.s. I leave for Japan in t-minus one week!!! Soooooooo excited!!!!

8 comments:

  1. I do love Brain Pop Jr. I am going to see Hunger Games at midnight....thankfully we have a furlough day tomorrow!

    Laurie
    Chickadee Jubilee

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  2. I LOVE Brain Pop. My students often will ask if there is a Brain Pop video to go along with something new we are studying. Have fun in Japan!

    Krista
    stellar-students

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  3. I heart brainpop, too. This week, we've watched Fractions, More Fractions, and Local and State Government. It's a great way to introduce concepts. I try to have something for the kids to do with the information from the video, like a chart to fill out or something to sort. They like to try to solve whatever problem Annie is solving before she does, so I pause it, they try it out, and then we check. It's great!
    Buzzing with Ms. B

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  4. Brainpop Jr and I have had a wonderful relationship for many years. I couldn't have a classroom without it! :)

    Haley
    Following Optimism in 2nd Grade

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  5. I just discovered BrainPop Jr. This year, and I loooove it!

    Jenny
    Luckeyfrog's Lilypad

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  6. I don't know Annie, but I know Tim and Moby. LOVE THEM for my 6th graders, 7th graders, and 8th grade girls. My 8th grade boys HATE them. Why are you going to Japan? It's a special place for me. :)

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  7. Love Brian Pop! Love The Hunger Games! And Love your blog! I'm a new follower. Japan? That sounds exciting!!

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  8. All of this BrainPOP love! Natalie- it sounds like you're using it a ton in the classroom. We'd love to hear some more of your creative ideas on how you use BrainPOP with your students over at BrainPOP Educators :)

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I LOVE reading your comments!!!

Natalie