Post #2: BrainPop/Jr Assignments, Google Classroom, Tech PD, Printing

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BrainPop (Grade 3-5 Teachers/Specialists): Last year there was confusion about how students access BrainPop assignments. I spoke with BrainPop and here are some important details to know when giving BrainPop/Jr assignments.

How should students access BrainPop/Jr assignments? 

  • All students should log in to ClassLink and open BrainPop/Jr
  • Then students navigate to their dashboard to see their BrainPop/Jr assignments.
  • Teachers should not link BrainPop assignments in Google Classroom.
    • When students click on the link in the Google assignment, BrainPop will ask the student to sign in.
    • Students only have two choices to sign in - Clever or Google Account.
    • Our students use ClassLink which is not an option.
    • If students sign in with their Google Account, they will create a separate BrainPop account not linked to you.

If you are a specialist and do not have BrainPop/Jr classes setup for you, follow these steps to create your classes.

  • Teachers should log in to BrainPop via ClassLink. Then create their class(es).
  • Each class is assigned a code.
  • Students will use the code to join your class.
  • Do not import students from Google Classroom. This will create a second account for each student.
  • Students should also access these assignments directly in BrainPop (Do not link in a Google Classroom)


Google Classroom - Archiving classes

  • Please archive your Google Classrooms that you are no longer using.

  • Archiving will remove the classes from the students' views, helping to declutter their “Home” views.

  • Archiving does not remove your ability to reuse posts.  When you go to reuse a post, there’s always an option to select archived classes, and if you accidentally need the class activated for reuse, you can do it.



Tech PD: This Wednesday, October 16 @ Happy Hollow:

Nancy Colbert (CH), Stephanie Meyler (LO) and I are excited to work with all elementary teachers on Wednesday, October 16 during in-service to share and try a few AI tools. We will present at our own buildings to maximize our time together! Please bring your laptop as this will be a hands-on session. 

HH Location - stay tuned.

Printers: With our budget freeze, PLEASE be more careful when printing. The amount of documents printed (sometimes a class set) and never retrieved is alarming. We could fill a copy paper box with materials that are never picked up. 
  • Please do not let students print work, especially in color, that is not final draft work intended for an audience (display on walls, a showcase for parents, an item for a student portfolio) etc. 
  • Teachers - We see many black-and-white documents going to the color printer. The toner for the color printer is more expensive than for the black and one printer. Please remember to select the appropriate printer for your needs.
Thank you for anything you can do to help us be less wasteful and mindful of our budget. We appreciate the efforts you'll make!