POPtalk

Head on safari this month with Tim & Moby (without the fear of being eaten by lions) and enjoy these animal-related educational topics, activities and resources. From insects to elephants, we cover creatures great and small!

There are three fact-filled new movies you simply have to watch while you’re wearing your BrainPOP safari hat this month.

Dolphins

In this new movie, Tim and Moby will teach you all about dolphins, a family of sea mammals that includes more than forty different species. You’ll get all the basic dolphin facts, including how fast they swim, how big they can grow, what they eat, and where they can be found. You’ll also learn about echolocation, the sonar-like sense all dolphins use to find prey and avoid obstacles. Tim will show you how an organ called ‘the melon’ emits a series of clicks, and how the return sound waves are received by the dolphin’s jaw! You’ll also learn how these intelligent creatures live and behave, and some of the uses people have found for these highly trainable animals.

So come on in, the water’s lovely! Dolphins movie.

Pandas

What’s black and white and so cute it hurts? A panda, of course! Let Tim and Moby introduce you to the lovable creatures called giant pandas. Find out where in the world they come from and why their natural habitat is slowly dwindling. You’ll also learn another important reason why giant pandas are endangered, as well as just how few are left in the world. Plus, discover what people in zoos are doing to help conserve pandas and bring their population back up. And you’ll learn some basic panda facts, including what they eat, how long they live, and how big they get.

Have a quick watch of our beloved Pandas movie.

Jane Goodall

Introducing the work of Jane Goodall, the remarkable primatologist and anthropologist! Find out how Goodall got her start with the help of a famous archaeologist, and how she came to study chimps in the wild. In this movie you’ll also learn about a few of the discoveries Goodall made throughout her career, as well as how her research helped redefine what it means to be human. Finally, find out why her time with the chimps prompted her to work for environmental and conservationist causes all over the world.

It’s not all monkeying around: Jane Goodall.

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In a salute to our furry, feathered and…scaly friends, here’s a collection of our “pet” movies so you can learn about your favourite pet in National Pet Month which runs from 7th April – 7th May.

Want to be the coolest cat in town? You will be after watching this movie, where Tim and Moby introduce you to those finicky felines called cats. Learn about some of the different types of house cat and their common behaviour patterns. Discover when and where cats were first used as pets and how the ancient Egyptians honoured them and even mummified them! Learn how they are able survive a high fall, why they purr and even how long they are likely to live. You’ll also get some tips for keeping your own cat healthy and happy. After watching this movie, you’ll be the cat’s whiskers!

Here’s a shout out to all the cool Cats.

Cats

In this movie, Tim and Moby tell you everything you need to know about dogs. Learn about some of the dog’s more ferocious relatives, and find out why you can’t just bring a wolf cub home and call it a puppy. Discover when and where dogs were first domesticated, and the help they provided early humans. Find out how breeds developed, how kennel clubs classify dogs into different groups and see some examples of breeds that fall into each category. Plus, discover the traits that all dogs share, and the different jobs they can do – like being a guide dog. Finally, learn what dogs need from humans and how you can make your pet a loyal, gentle companion. The only thing you won’t learn from this movie is how to talk your parents into getting you one!

Man’s best friend – woman’s too! Dogs

Dogs

Dogs are great, but it’s time to say hello to man’s other best friend. Let Tim and Moby saddle up to tell you everything you need to know about horses. From the tips of their hooves to the hairs in their manes, you’ll discover precisely why horses have been so important to humans throughout history. You’ll discover how they first evolved, and when scientists believe they were first domesticated. You’ll also find out about the many different breeds that have emerged over time and to which modern animals horses are related. Plus, you’ll see how technology has changed their role in our lives.

So quit horsing around and come along for the ride - Horses

Horses

Hey, bird-brains! Want to learn more about our feathered friends? Tim and Moby take a break from their bird-watching session to teach you the basics about these winged creatures. Discover just how many species of birds there are, as well as what makes a bird a bird. You’ll learn the basics of bird flight – including how their wings give them lift and how aeroplanes are modeled on these amazing animals. Find out why birds have hollow bones, very different types of feathers and fused vertebrae. Lastly, you’ll discover the key differences between males and females. So if you’re as free as a bird then don’t chicken out, watch this movie.

Our feathered friends - Birds

Birds

There’s something fishy going on at BrainPOP. Tim and Moby tell you all about the largest group of vertebrates on earth. You’ll learn about the special features of a fish’s body – from its fins to its gills to other specialized parts like sucker-mouths and swim bladders. Discover what ectothermic means and what it’s got to do with being cold-blooded as well as how these specialised parts help them breathe and move under water. Examine the three main fish types and find out the differences between bony fish, cartilaginous fish, and agnathan or jawless fish. You’ll also find out why fish are such an important part of the human diet.

But don’t go eating your goldfish! - Fish 

Fish

Ribbit…Ribbit. In this movie, you’ll be introduced to the various types of amphibians – frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts – and see how much they can differ in their body shapes and lifestyles. Find out the difference between anurans, urodeles and caecilians and the metamorphosis of a tadpole to a frog. Discover why amphibians hold a special place in vertebrate history and find out how they manage to spend their lives in two very different types of environments. Of course, you won’t learn how to catch flies like a frog, – you’re on your own with that one!

Amphibians - croooooak!

Amphibians

Now, does anyone own a hamster named Moby? You’d make us very proud!

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We have so many topics about animals that we couldn’t squeeze them all in to our BrainPOP Safari Spotlight. And, as these dudes are only little, we thought we could POP ‘em here instead.

Let Tim & Moby welcome you to the wonderful world of Arachnids, Molluscs and millions of other Mini Beasts…is your skin crawling yet?

Ants

Arachnids

Honeybees

Molluscs

Spiders

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This month we’d like to welcome you to the jungle! Or, the BrainPOP jungle at least, with our collection of animal-related topics, resources and activities. Come and join Tim & Moby as they head on safari through the animal kingdom.

• Amphibians
• Bats
• Birds
• Camouflage
• Classification
• Elephants
• Fish
• Food Chains
• Insects
• Monotremes
• Penguins
• Reptiles
• Savanna

And, if you’re interests swing more to the Ants in this world than the Elephants, here’s a little collection of our Mini Beasts movies.

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We couldn’t help noticing that Spring is upon us. Well, in Oxford at least!

And with all the sunshine, April showers, fresh buds on trees and fuzzy ducklings paddling down the Thames we can’t help but appreciate all the weird and wonderful transmutations and metamorphoses happening all around us with the changing seasons.

If you’re at all like us and suffering from a severe case of loving nature at this time of year (or any time of year for that matter!), we’d like to draw your attention to our Animals and Plants category in Science where we’ve got four fantastic new topics:

Camouflage - learn about the different methods animals use to hide from both prey and predator.

Camouflage

Chomp chomp chomp! Welcome to the sticky world of Carnivorous Plants.

Carnivorous Plants

Cnidarians, or jellyfish to you and me. But how exactly do you pronounce it anyway?

Cnidarians

Egg-laying? Duck-billed? Take time to learn all about magnificent Monotremes.

Monotremes

If those don’t make you get outdoors armed with a magnifying glass, here are a few more Spring-related topics to help get you in Attenborough mode:

• Pollination
• Photosynthesis
• Honeybees

And, if you happen to be one of the millions of unlucky people who suffer from hay fever in the warmer months, Tim & Moby help explain why in our new Allergies topic. Not much comfort, we know

Achoo!

See more new movies >>>

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