INSTRUCTIONAL

SOFTWARE

Name: Lindsey Boyd
Software Title: BrainPop
URL: http://brainpop.com
Function(s) of Instructional Software (check all that apply):
Drill and Practice Tutorial Simulation Instructional Game e-books/e-references
Features of the Software (check all that apply):
Assessment Monitoring/Reporting (Keeps track of student data and/or generates reports for
the teacher) Allows teacher to create customized lessons for students Multi-user or
collaborative functions with others in class Multi-user or collaborative functions with others
beyond local class Accessible to students beyond the school day Accessible via mobile
devices Multiple languages Safety, security, and/or privacy features
Strengths of the Software: This Instructional software is very engaging and appealing to young
students due to the fun colors and characters. Multiple content areas are available for use on this
site and it is easy to navigate.
Suggestions for Improvement: This software has a great deal of very effective tools. In order for
improvement, they could provide more of the same types activities and tools in more content
areas. Other improvements could be through adding more languages or a multi-user feature.
Standards Addressed: See https://www.georgiastandards.org/Pages/Default.aspx
SS1H1 The student will read about and describe the life of historical figured in American History.
a. Identify the contributions made by these figures: Benjamin Franklin (inventor/author/
statesman), Thomas Jefferson (Declaration of Independence), Meriwether Lewis and
William Clark with Sacagawea (exploration), Harriet Tubman (Underground Railroad),
Theodore Roosevelt (National Parks and the environment), George Washington Carver
(science).
Grade Level/Content Area(s):1st Grade/ Social Studies
Blooms Level of Critical Thinking Required (check all that apply).
Remembering Understanding Applying Analyzing Evaluating Creating

Description of how to implement in the class:

The teacher will introduce the study of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad as an
introduction. The hook to the lesson will be the students viewing the BrainPop video on Harriet
Tubman and the Underground Railroad. After this, the students will all think of two things that
they can remember from the video. We will have a class discussion about these facts and they will
all be written down on chart paper for every student to see. After this, the teacher will say, Lets
see if we can watch it one more time to see if we can learn anything else we didnt already say and
each student will try and think of something else. After the second viewing of the video, the class
will come back together and add any more facts that we did not get the first time we watched to
the chart paper.
Students will then be instructed to pick one of the ideas listed on the chart paper that they
like most. As a class, they will create a podcast that will contain everything they have learned about
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. Students will be able to work with their peers in
order to record themselves. The teacher will compile everyones podcasts together and post it onto
the classroom blog. As an extension to this lesson, students may pick another famous person and
can work in a team in order to research this person and create their own podcasts.
1
 INSTRUCTIONAL SOFTWARE