Watch and learn

Brainpop offers many videos and interactive activities on various math concepts (approximately 70 math videos). There are two characters, Tim and Moby, who explore and go through each concept. Most of the videos are around 2-4 minutes long, making them a realistic length for students’ attention spans. Some also have quizzes attached to them. These would be good for a formative assessment for students to do at the end of a computer center where they have to watch the movie (reinforce a concept learned in whole group instruction, or expand on that), play the game (to reinforce what the movie showed them and so they can practice), then take the quiz. I believe these short videos are easy to follow and engaging to students. I have used the science ones with first graders before and they were always so excited to see what Tim and Moby would get into next.As long as the movies are paired with other learning instruction and experiences, the movies can be quite effective.