Why is the sky blue? How do fish breathe? Who invented the Internet? Kids’ natural curiosity knows no bounds – and if you’re a parent or teacher, it’s not always easy to answer their questions. But there’s help. For more than a decade, BrainPOP has been a trusted, go-to source for animated educational resources, in homes and in thousands of subscribing schools around the globe. In 2011, we released our free Featured Movie app for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch*, offering a different curricular movie and related quiz every day, on subjects that tied in to significant current and historical events. Here's a brief demo: 5 Tips for Classroom Use Use the Featured Movie to explain and discuss events in the news from natural disasters like Hurricane Irene to world-changing events such as the September 11th terrorist attacks In addition to integrating BrainPOP into lesson plans, remember that it only takes a few minutes to show a movie and take advantage of those in-between – unplanned – times by transforming them into teaching moments Kids shouldn’t wait for it to be ‘school’ time to access learning – they should have access to learning wherever they are With our featured movie, no subject area is avoided, this means kids (and parents!) get tested on subjects they enjoy but also on subjects they might struggle with Fit BrainPOP into your Parental Engagement Strategy It can be enjoyed as a whole family activity via Apple devices, tablets, netbooks and home consoles The Featured Movie App can keep kids occupied for that 10 minute scoot around the supermarket or on the drive to gran’s house Anyone can use the app without needing any prior knowledge of a subject Ask kids to share a favourite movie at home with a parent and challenge them to a quiz off! It could wipe out the "toxic hour" some parents have come to dread ICT Subject Leader and seasoned BrainPOP educator, Dawn Hallybone, explains Why you need to go Mobile with BrainPOP BrainPOP’s Featured Movie apps have been downloaded more than 1 million times worldwide. Education writers, parents, teachers, and kids themselves have lauded it in over 4,000 reviews – for everything from its original voice and extensive selection of cross-curricular topics to its ease of use and unique delivery of fresh content daily. “Innovative teachers and creative parents around the world are already advancing learning with mobile devices...We’re thrilled that BrainPOP has a role to play in sparking learning opportunities in and out of the classroom.” Avraham Kadar, M.D., BrainPOP’s Founder and CEO The BrainPOP Featured Movie app has been recommended by The New York Times, USA Today, iPhone Life, included in Tap! magazine's 100 Greatest Apps of All Time, and has been featured multiple times in the iTunes App Store. A Selection of Reviews: Brain Pop iPad Demo from FíS Community on Vimeo. "This is a great app, my daughter and I watch a movie before bed every night. I’m learning as much as she is!" Fab 5/5 from Swissyellow, iTunes store "My kids really love this and so do I! The little bite size 5 minutes movies are packed with info making learning so much fun – I find it hard to stop at just one film! I wish the whole catalogue were available on the iPad – hint hint :)" Absolutely suberb! 5/5 from Owenina, iTunes store "Clevedon School have been trialling the use of iPads in education and I’m one of the trial leaders and have been using the BrainPOP iPad app in my tutor times. The best thing here is that the content is right at the students’ fingertips – it’s right in front of them. Here, the content is brought alive and students can easily share and look at progress on each other’s activities as they move through. It certainly gets the students motivated and focused at the beginning of the school day... ...The fact that BrainPOP uses seasonal themes and makes the most of anniversaries and other important dates means that they are always able to deliver something relevant and interesting to a group of students with diverse interests and educational needs...We all know how good it feels to be able to rely on a resource because we always know the quality is second to none.” Mark Anderson, Clevedon School "My 6 year old daughter thinks this app is brilliant, she watches the new video every day. Very well made and very informative. Keep up the great work!" Wonderful 5/5 from GregakaGarick "The film is animated, fun but clearly gives a message, a process or a piece of information. This can be followed up by a quiz which helps to promote listening, concentration or note-taking among the class. The questions are multiple choice and tackle inference as well as deduction. It’s a smart looking app and one that the team are looking to build into their weeks as a fundamental part of the day to promote speaking and listening skills." Anson Primary School "I find the short videos produced by BrainPOP UK very useful when I need to get an idea across quickly. I’ve even used their videos in the run up to GCSE examinations for quick revision." David Rogers, BrainPOP UK in an App! "I love this app so much! The Helen Keller video inspired me to research her, she was an amazing person. I spent a whole day looking her up! If only I’d found this app when I was doing lord of the flies. But still really good!" 5/5 from Toffee1300, iTunes store "Interesting facts for any age. Love it." 5/5 from Eve Moran, iTunes store "Brilliant for helping children understand topics and enhances their learning at school." Great! 5/5 from Lilalig, iTunes store "BrainPOP is really fun and a cool way to learn about all kinds of stuff that I wouldn't usually read about…it sure beats wasting your time playing Angry Birds!" 10/10 Biba’s blog "Quite possibly one of the best educational resources out there. BrainPOP UK has an uncanny knack of explaining the most difficult concepts in the most understandable of ways." John Dooris, Deputy Head Teacher, Hurworth Primary School *iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch are a trademark of Apple Inc.