BrainPOP Jr.

By: Kodi Phillips

What is the tool and how can it be used?

BrainPOP, founded in 1999, is a website that creates animated, curriculum based content that supports educators and helps them enhance their lessons. BrainPOP Jr. is one of the newest additions to BrainPOP. On BrainPOP Jr. students can watch movies, take quizzes, perform experiments, look at timelines, and view activity pages. It includes many inteactive features such as writing, drawing, and discussion prompts as well as interactive games. It has fully integrated learning units that encourage exploration and inquiry as well as introduce students to test-taking skills and comprehension strategies. All of these activities cover many different topics from science, social studies, reading, writing, math, and health. The content found of this website is developmentally appropriate. All of the content on BrainPOP Jr. is aligned to state standards. It can be used to introduce a new lesson, illustrate a difficult topic or even review for a test. It can be used in classrooms, media labs, and homes. BrainPOP Jr. works on PC or Mac computers and can be used with projectors or interactive whiteboards. Teachers can choose to use this website one on one with a student or with small groups or the whole class.

What are some advantages and disadvantages?

BrainPOP Jr. is a wonderful website to use in the classroom. One of the main advantages that teachers can benefit from is the link to state standards. Classrooms around the country are focusing on the standards and this is a great way to search the website for things related to a certain standard. You can search by state, subject, or grade level. All content is aligned to state standards. Another great advantage is that new subscribers can visit the new subscribers page for getting started guides that give step by step explanations on how to use BrainPOP Jr. The page for new subscribers is a great way to help teachers or parents explore the resources BrainPOP Jr. has created in order to integrate it into your classroom or home. One disadvantage is that you must have a subscription to BrainPOP Jr. to access it. They offer a range of flexible subscription packages. However, an advantage is that you can sign up for a free trial to BrainPOP Jr. By doing this, you receive a monthly email newsletter that includes curricular tie-ins, new movies and features, best practices, and the most current BrainPOP news. Another advantage is that no downloading is required. The only other disadvantage I have uncovered is that students with physical disabilities who have trouble typing or using a mouse would find it hard to access this website. Also, students with severe vision problems would be able to hear the website, but not see it. They could possibly work with a partner to use this website.

Who is the audience for this tool?

The targeted audience for this tool is students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. It can also be used by K-3 teachers for great lesson plan ideas.

Where can we learn more about this tool?

You can learn more about BrainPOP Jr. by visiting the BrainPOP Jr. About Us Page or the pdf file that can be found on the More about BrainPOP Jr. Page.

My opinion on this tool...

I think BrainPOP Jr. is a great tool to use in the K-3 classroom. There is such a wide range of topics teachers are sure to find something for almost every standard. I love how the content is aligned with state standards and easily searchable. I also think it's great that this website is a source of differentiated learning because of the diverse content and resources. I would recommend any K-3 teacher use BrainPOP Jr. in his or her classroom.