Implementation Guide
BrainPOP Science units include 4 activity types:
Investigations |
Standards-aligned lessons that cover a concept end-to-end; each Investigation begins with a real-world phenomenon and culminates in a student-constructed explanation (Claim-Evidence-Reasoning) 40-60 minutes
Engineering Projects |
Problem-based design challenges that guide students through the engineering design process; projects incorporate science concepts and hands-on prototyping with everyday materials 90-120 minutes
Quizzes |
Formative assessments designed to provide immediate feedback; each quiz includes 4–5 auto-graded questions 5-10 minutes
Individual Resources |
Short, versatile activities that highlight one concept or skill; resources are designed to supplement existing lessons and provide extra practice 5-20 minutes
Engagement Resources: Movies, Phenomena
Interactive Resources: Data Manipulatives, Simulations, BrainPOP 3D Worlds™
Literacy-Building Resources: Related Readings, Primary Sources, Vocabulary, Worksheets, Sound Bytes
*See examples on page 3
Phenomena
Sound Bytes
Vocabulary
5-10 minutes
Simulations
Real-world images and videos Use to: engage, explore initial ideas, warm up, launch a discussion
Short audio recordings that explore science history and trivia Use to: engage, build literacy skills
Key terms introduced via context clues and images Use to: build literacy skills, review for an assessment
Classic BrainPOP animations with Tim, Moby, and the rest of the BrainPOP crew Use to: engage, introduce new content, launch a discussion, review for an assessment
Diagrams, tables, and text with scaffolded question sets Use to: build literacy skills; practice interpreting data, diagrams, and tables
Virtual landscapes where students can observe scientists in action and explore natural phenomena Use to: engage, practice making scientific observations
Images and videos of science artifacts and phenomena Use to: reinforce content, build literacy skills
Short , formative assessments Use to: assess understanding, support data informed instruction
Interactive models from PhET and Field Day Use to: explore before direct instruction, reinforce hard-to-see concepts, collect and analyze data
Interactive graphs and charts created from real-world data Use to: build data literacy
Engaging informational texts Use to: reinforce content, launch a class discussion, enrich instruction
Comprehensive lessons that incorporate science writing (Claim-Evidence-Reasoning) and real-world phenomena Use to: introduce a topic, reinforce content, practice evidence-based writing, incorporate science practices
Problem-based design challenges using everyday materials and hands-on prototyping Use to: review science content, incorporate science practices, enrich instruction, support hands-on learning
Questions are scaffolded to support students as they build towards bigger, more complex ideas. The questions associated with Investigations, Projects, Quizzes, and resources are designed to reflect those seen on state assessments and to help prepare students for high school. Question types include:
Auto-g aded: multipl choic , multipl s l ct, fill-in-ths nt nc , fill-in-th -tabl , classification, match list, lab l imag
Open-ended: short answ r, Claim-Evid nc -R asoning (in Inv stigations)
Resource Examples
Phenomena
Primary Resources
Simulations
Sound Bytes
Data Manipulatives
Related Readings
Movies
Quizzes Worksheets
BrainPOP 3D Worlds™