Make Me Genius

Empowered Learner

Overview

Make Me Genius is a website that provides short videos on science topics. They are in cartoon form. Students can search by grade level, therefore, this website can be used at many grade levels. The website was created by a young middle school student who wanted to share his how-to videos. It started in 2011 and continues to grow and is financially supported by YouTube and Google.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

Be able to locate a science video, watch it and be able to share information on the topic.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words:

Video: A video is the recording, reproducing, or broadcasting of moving visual images.
Genius: A genius is a person who is exceptionally intelligent or creative, either generally or in some particular respect.

Pre-planning

To prepare for this lesson:

The teacher will visit the Make Me Genius website.
The teacher should preview videos to make sure they are appropriate for their students.
The teacher may have a whole group discussion on a topic that students will be viewing.
The teacher may want to show the class as a whole how to get to the website or provide a link for all students to retrieve the website.

Accommodations

See the Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4students website in the Teacher Resources.

Steps

Directions for this activity:

The students are directed to www.makemegenius.com.
The student clicks on English Science Videos.
The student selects a video on a science topic.
The student views the video.

Assessment Options

Different options for assessing the students:

Observations
Check for understanding
Students illustrate and write a short summary on what was learned.
Students write an exit ticket on topic.
Class discussion.
Small groups can create a poster on the topic.
Higher level students (2-5) have the option to read a selection and take a short comprehension quiz.

MITECS Competencies & ISTE STANDARDS

MITECS: Michigan adopted the "ISTE Standards for Students" called MITECS (Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students) in 2018.

Empowered Learner
1a. Students articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning process itself to improve learning outcomes.
1b. Students build networks and customize their learning environments in ways that support the learning process.
1c. Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
1d. Students understand the fundamental concepts of technology operations, demonstrate the ability to choose, use and troubleshoot current technologies and are able to transfer their knowledge to explore emerging technologies.