Mister McIntosh Says » Topic Talk

BrainPop Videos for Algebra I

Mister McIntosh — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:23:08 +0000

This fourth installment of the BrainPop Video correlations is for the offerings that align with Common Core standards for Algebra (High School and Grade 8).

Equations

Associative Property

Distributive Property

Order of Operations

Absolute Value

Two-Step Equations

Equations With Variables

Inequalities

Inequalities

Graphing and Solving Inequalities

Functions

Distance, Rate and Time

Linear Functions

Coordinate Plane

Problem Solving Using Tables

Graphing Linear Equations

Slope and Intercept

Graphing Linear Equations

Systems of Equations and Inequalities

None

Exponents and Polynomials

Exponents

Multiplying and Dividing Exponents

Standard and Scientific Notation

Square Roots

Polynomials

Factoring Polynomials

None

Exponential Functions

None

Data Analysis and Probability

Graphs

Mean, Median, Mode, and Range

Basic Probability

Independent and Dependent Events

Compound Events

Statistics

BrainPop Videos for Sixth Grade Mathematics

Mister McIntosh — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:58:12 +0000

And for the third installment of the BrainPop Video correlations, here are the ones that align with Common Core standards for sixth grade mathematics.

Expressions and Number Properties

Commutative Property

Associative Property

Distributive Property

Order of Operations

Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

Mixed Numbers

Converting Fractions to Decimals

Multiplying and Dividing Decimals

Decimals

Fractions, Decimals and Percents

Converting Fractions to Decimals

Percents

Ratios and Rates

Ratios

Data Analysis

Statistics

Mean, Median, Mode and Range

Problem Solving Using Tables

Graphs

Circles and Area

Circles

Equations

Equations With Variables

Two-Step Equations

Inequalities

Inequalities

Graphing and Solving Inequalities

Tables, Graphs and Functions

Problem Solving Using Tables

Graphing Linear Equations

Slope and Intercept

BrainPop Videos for Seventh Grade Science

Mister McIntosh — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:40:18 +0000

Continuing the series on BrainPop videos, here is a list of videos correlated with seventh grade science content. I’ll update it when Common Core standards are ready for science, but in the mean time, these are the topics specified in Colorado. For an introduction to the lists and some hints on how to use these in a course see BrainPop Videos for Seventh Grade Mathematics.

Scientific Method/Process of Science

The Scientific Method

Metric Units

Matter, Mixtures & Solutions

Measuring Matter

States of Matter

Matter Changing States

Compounds and Mixtures

Living Things

Homeostasis

Origin of Life

None

Cell Structure and Function

Cell Chemistry

Cell Transport

Photosynthesis

Respiration

Mitosis & Meiosis

Classification

Change Over Time

Human Body

BrainPop Videos for Seventh Grade Mathematics

Mister McIntosh — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:15:52 +0000

We use BrainPops as a fun way to supplement and enhance learning. I have made this list of BrainPops that correlates with the Big Ideas grade 7 mathematics text book. However, since the Big Ideas curriculum is based on the Common Core standards, I am confident that they will align with just about any other Common Core curriculum.

BrainPops isn’t free (although some of their videos are) but if you have access to it, perhaps this will be of help. If you have access, you can simply copy the links and use them as you see fit. BrainPops cannot be downloaded, but you can link to them from a Moodle page or other website.

Here is some recommended text to wrap around your links:

Watch the BrainPop video on xxxxxxxxxxxx (<— link to this text) and take notes. After you watch it take the self-check quiz to see how much you learned and understand. To log into BrainPops the user name is xxxxxx and the password is xxxxxx.

Of course you shouldn’t publish your user name and password on a public website.

Integers

Absolute Value

Adding and Subtracting Integers

Multiplication

Division

Coordinate Plane

Rational Numbers and Equations

Rational and Irrational Numbers

Decimals

Converting Fractions to Decimals

Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

Mixed Numbers

Equations With Variables

Two-Step Equations

Inequalities

Proportions and Variation

Percents

Similarity and Transformations

Similar Figures

Scale Drawings

Transformations

Surface Area of Solids

Area of Polygons

Circles

Volumes of Solids

Volume of Prisms

Volume of Cylinders

Data Analysis and Samples

Graphs

Mean, Median, Mode and Range

Statistics

Probability

Basic Probability

Independent and Dependent Events

Compound Events

Game Theory

Study Card Ideas for Better Test Prep and Review

Mister McIntosh — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 19:05:06 +0000

They go by different names: Study cards, flash cards, or note cards. No matter what they are called, the venerable index card remains a popular and useful test prep aid.

Putting together a set of index cards packed with facts, vocabulary words, concepts, and information is a time-tested and effective way to put knowledge into memory to get ready for a test, or just for learning. Electronic flash cards and software study aids are good, but homemade study cards on card stock still have their place. This is because they are inexpensive, portable, easy to make, and can be customized for any subject.

Flash Cards vs. Study Cards

It's still hard to beat a big 'ole stack of study cards (drcw/Fickr)

The “classic” flash card consists of a short bit of information on one side and a related bit of information on the other. There is a logical connection between the two. The basic vocabulary flash card is a well-known example. Flash cards are ideal for learning terminology, definitions, foreign language words, and math facts.

A study card is a bit different, although it is used in basically the same way (look at one side and recite or remember what is on the other). A study card consists of an idea, theme or larger concept statement on one side, and a significant quantity of information about the subject on the other side. These cards are suited for bigger chunks of more complex and connected information. An example would be putting “Monroe Doctrine” on one side, and a variety of information concerning the relevance of the Monroe Doctrine on the other side.

Picture Flash Cards

For some uses, images may be better than words, especially if images are important to the topic. For example, in studying the atomic orbital shapes of electronic configurations, an actual picture of each orbital type (either hand drawn or cut and pasted from a pre-existing image) on one side of the card with the orbital name and notation on the other would be appropriate.

To make vocabulary flash cards more interesting, pictures of objects or action scenes can represent a word or phrase on one side, and the written word or phrase goes on the reverse. Picture flash cards are ideally suited for studying and remembering data on graphs, charts, tables, historical photos, art works and artists, and mineralogy and geography, to name just a few applications.

Study Card Tips

Here are some ideas to make learning with flash cards more fun, effective, and less monotonous:

Start with a small set and add to the set as the need arises. Keep building!
Many people use rubber bands to keep card sets together, but these degrade and break after a time. Really big binder clips are superior for this purpose.
Use a colored dot or sticker in one corner to quickly identify which set a card belongs to.
Index cards come in a variety of colors. Use different colors for different subjects, or sub-topics within a subject.
Carry the cards always! This way, any spare moment can turn into test prep time.
For a real challenge and change of thinking, mix different topic sets together before use.
The brain seeks and enjoys novelty. Make the cards memorable through use of color, varying text styles and sizes, and by using oddball associations to link one part of the information to the other.

Study cards are just one of many techniques available for helping a learner retain and synthesize information. If the cards are designed imaginatively, they will assist in forming mnemonic associations that lead to better results than can be achieved by straight rote memorization.

Note: This article is a re-post of one first appearing at Suite101.com.