Updated July 2014
BrainPOP: English
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BrainPOP: English

Fun videos help teach most anything, from Poe to prepositional phrases

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Learning rating
Not yet reviewed Editorial review by Common Sense Education
Community rating
Based on 1 review
Privacy rating
76%| Warning Expert evaluation by Common Sense
Grades
4–8
Subjects & Skills
English Language Arts, Communication & Collaboration
Price:  Paid
Platforms:  Website
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Take a look inside

4 images
From the homepage, click English.
The Famous Authors & Books page offers a wealth of great options.
A variety of teaching options are available -- no need to depend on the videos alone.
Most lesson ideas are broad and very adaptable.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

BrainPOP's English offering includes videos on the full range of ELA topics -- they're best used to supplement and support your existing curriculum. From Roald Dahl and Judy Blume to Charles Dickens and Homer; from nouns, etymology, and context clues to critical reasoning -- there's a lot here. These videos are engaging, high-quality and, despite the stated range of grades 3-12, seem best suited for grades 4-8. This is especially true if using the lessons to preview new content or reinforce a recent lesson -- these are probably the site's best uses.  

Instead of using the CCSS-alignment search, save yourself time and simply pick what looks interesting -- you can always click Lesson Ideas to see any aligned standards. Be ready to adapt the suggested plans to the needs of your students and your own teaching style. Some high school teachers might also find the videos useful as lesson previews. The FYI link with each lesson can also be useful for older students -- it offers a selection of related, complex informational excerpts.

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Standards:

Key Standards Supported

Reading Informational Text

  • RI.3.7

    Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).

  • RI.5.7

    Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.

  • RI.8.7

    Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.

  • RI.9-10.7

    Analyze various accounts of a subject told in different mediums (e.g., a person’s life story in both print and multimedia), determining which details are emphasized in each account.

  • RI.11-12.7

    Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem.

Writing

  • W.3.8

    Recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories.

  • W.5.10

    Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

  • W.8.10

    Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

  • W.9-10.1

    Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

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Community Rating

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Featured review by
Paige S. , Classroom teacher
Classroom teacher
Falcon Creek Middle School
Aurora, United States
BrainPop is an educational resource to reinforce key concepts that are taught in the English classroom.
My overall opinion is that this is an engaging tool to hook students or review content to students. I just learned about BrainPop, and I actually liked it so much that I wrote a grant through our PTCO for a school subscription. I was pleased when my grant was approved, and now all content-areas, both students and teachers, are enjoy learning through BrainPop. I especially like that students can access it through home too for additional support. I will admit that the videos are a little more geared f ...
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Data Safety
How safe is this product?
Users can interact with trusted users and/or students.
Unclear whether users can interact with untrusted users, including strangers and/or adults.
Profile information is shared for social interactions.
Data Rights
What rights do I have to the data?
Users can create or upload content.
Users retain ownership of their data.
Processes to access and review user data are available.
Ads & Tracking
Are there advertisements or tracking?
Data are shared for third-party advertising and/or marketing.
Traditional or contextual advertisements are displayed.
Behavioral or targeted advertising is displayed.

Continue reading about this tool's privacy practices, including data collection, sharing, and security.

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