Back-to-School Ideas for Make-a-Map and Make-a-Movie

The first few weeks of school are full of excitement – getting to know students, setting goals, building classroom culture, and establishing routines. It’s also an excellent time to explore the tools you plan to use with students throughout the year. We’re excited to share some ideas on how you can integrate Make-a-Map and Make-a-Movie, BrainPOP’s creation tools, into your back-to-school activities. Check out our list of ideas below!

• Rather than using Make-a-Map to create a concept map on a particular topic, task students with creating a map about their goals for the school year.

• Ask students, “How can you show respect for yourself, others, and the environment?” Students can then use this as a guiding question for a concept map or turn it into a letter at the beginning of their Make-a-Movie project about classroom rules.

• Utilizing BrainPOP’s newly updated Digital Citizenship content, ask students to make a concept map or movie sharing the ways they use media in their daily lives. Students can also create a map outlining their social network.

• Give students the opportunity to share about their summer vacations. Use the Make-a-Map tool to draft a storyboard and then create a movie using Make-a-Movie.

• Task students with creating an “All About Me” movie and include a list of required components. Teachers can first create their own movies to model how to use the tool and let students get to know them.

• Sharing a teacher-made movie about classroom routines is a great way to kick off the year and set expectations. Then, encourage students to create their own movies that include their own tips for classroom success.

• Give students the opportunity to explore a topic they already know and love. Task them with creating a concept map or movie about the topic so they can become familiar with the tools.

We’d love to hear how you’re using Make-a-Map and Make-a-Movie for back-to-school activities. Please share your ideas in the comments below!