The "Charlie Brown" Syndrome:Cure with Video Supplements!

In "Charlie Brown" cartoons, the teacher was non-existent. All you heard was "Wah, wah,wah.  I believe that's what our students hear at times. Sometimes you just need to hear it from someone else. Sometimes you just have to see it. I have three  sources I use as my go-to's.

Learnzillion:  I am a recent convert to Learnzillion, but I have used it religiously since I learned about it.  Learnzillion describes itself as high quality lessons you can use today, I agree. The lessons have become an integral part of reinforcing the concepts I teach. 
Their lessons are designed by a Dream Team  composed of teachers nationwide.I don't flip my classroom, but this is a great resource for those who do. 
You can find, and watch, narrated lessons, (by grade level, domain, and standard), assign lessons that are aligned with the Common Core (Math and ELA), track mastery, and make a home-school connection. You have the choice to give the students a login code or assign lessons/quizzes. Teachers can also download the lesson slides. 
Every time, I visit the site they have added new features(High School Math)! I used to assign videos via Edmodo and the Login code, but now I take advantage of their student logins. My students watch the videos, practice, and can also take quizzes. My parents have also taken advantage of the videos, using it to help their kids. Excellent resource!




Studyjams: This is a Scholastic site for Math and Science concepts. It's described as kids helping kids, teaching and helping one another. The videos are informative and engaging thanks to the Studyjam crew.Use the search bar to find the concepts you are teaching. My students not only enjoy them, but they learn from them. Depending on the video, they offer slide shows, guided practice, a chance for them to test their knowledge, key vocabulary, and related jams. You can even print some of the work. Add in "Did You Know?", "Hot Topic", and "Most Popular" you have an amazing, engaging, resource!




Brainpop: I am fortunate. For the past two years, I have had access to Brainpop due to the astuteness of my administrators who were willing to subscribe. What's not to like about Brainpop? Tim and Moby are so cool! The videos, in every subject, are short, but informative. There are related activities, quizzes, experiments, FYI sections, and Q & A's. I pick and choose what I use according to the topic.You are able to join the community of Brainpop Educators and take advantage of all they have to offer. And my favorite, Gameup! Games that are aligned with some of the concepts being taught in the videos.nI

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Morning Meeting Moments Create Critical Thinkers!

I use two sites that promote critical thinking: BrainPop and Wonderopolis. 

Every morning we begin our day with Morning Meeting. I have really come to enjoy Morning Meeting, it gives me a chance to bond with my students.
This year, I've added two elements, Brainpop and Wonderopolis. Their widgets are embedded on our class web page.
  
After the greeting and sharing of the message, we begin with the BrainPop Joke of the Day. When we first started, my students would call out literal answers, they weren't really thinking. Now, they take their time and think about possible related answers. 

In the beginning they couldn't figure out the joke, even when I showed them the answer.  But now when they're stuck, and I show the answer, I hear a collective "Ohhhhhh", and then a student volunteers to explain the joke to those that didn't "get it."  After that, I always hear, "Can we see another joke?" 

Alas, we have a limited amount of time, so we have to move on. After sharing, and a quick activity, we view the Wonder of the Day. They look forward to the videos, and it always leads to animated conversation. The videos make them think. They do what they're supposed to, make them wonder.

Our goal is to get our students to think. I appreciate the fact that Brainpop and Wonderopolis make it quick, easy, and fun!