BrainPOP
The awards list for BrainPOP is impressive. Just judging from their awards you could easily conclude that BrainPOP is considered by many to be a top educational website for children.
What is BrainPOP?
BrainPOP is a non-commercial web site that consists of both quality and entertaining educational curriculum, presented through an effective use of animation and web technology. Their curriculum-based content spans seven main subjects including: Science, Math, English, Social Studies, Health, Technology and Arts & Music.
How does BrainPOP present it’s curriculum?
BrainPOP currently features roughly 600 brief animated movies. Click here see a few samples. Each movie is 
supported by activities such
as a quiz, comic strip, experiment and printable worksheets, all of which speak
to kids in a language and voice that they can understand. The curriculum has
been developed according to national education standards (NCTM, NSES, &
NCTE), along with individual state standards.
When searching for appropriate curriculum they have a “Standards Correlations Tool” that allows your search to be tailored towards an individual state, grade and subject.
Many of BrainPOP’s movies are appropriate for all ages, the main focus grades for BrainPOP are 3-12. For grades K-3, there is a BrainPOP Jr. version available.
In addition to their animated movies, each individual topic has a suggested experiment, activity page, list of related topics, time line associated with topic, comic strip and pop quizzes.
How can you use BrainPop at home?
Let’s say your young child starts to inquire about where babies come from. For some parents that may be a difficult subject to discuss. BrainPop not only explains some of the biology to kids, but parents can learn the language to further, or even begin, their own discussions with their children.
Animated
Video
Under “Health” is a selection of subjects
that relate to the age old question, “Where do babies come from,”
including Periods, Puberty, Reproductive System and Fetal Development.
Sometimes two girls (Cassie & Rita) or a boy and his robot side-kick (Tim
& Moby) star in the animated video.
How to
with Gary and gary
In addition to the video may be advise from a father and son duo, such as
“How to change a diaper,” or “What to do about acne?”
Bob the Ex-lab Rat
Bob will offer a suggested experiment, like how to explore the reproductive
system through flowers, or experiments with absorption and sanitary napkins.
Activity
Page
The activity page may include a crossword puzzle that uses definitions and
words related to the topic.