Performing and Visual Arts to Take Center Stage in K-12 Classrooms Nationwide

Performing and Visual Arts to Take Center Stage in K-12 Classrooms Nationwide

BrainPOP Introduces Animated, Web-Based Curricula for Music & the Arts

NEW YORK, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- BrainPOP, the leading producer of animated Web-based curricula for grades K-12, announces the addition of Arts and Music to its award-winning Science, Health, Math, Social Studies and Technology categories. The company's popular and engaging animated films are now used in 25 percent of the nation's school districts.

Once again, Tim and Moby-BrainPOP's popular main characters-will play leading roles in the new animated short digital movies that comprise the performing and visual arts category. Some subjects include graphic design, impressionism, drama, dance, reading music, and strings and percussion instruments. The section will also feature biographical sketches of artists and musicians such as Michelangelo, Elvis Presley, and Louis Armstrong.

"At a time of shrinking budgets for arts and music programs in schools, teachers more than ever need new tools such as our new Arts and Music category," says BrainPOP chairman and CEO, Avraham Kadar, M.D. "These movies are designed to assist teachers and parents to engage children in a broader discussion about the performing and visual arts."

Arts and Music education has been proven to have a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of children. Research has confirmed the positive impact of arts and music programs on children-such as improved academic scores in English and mathematics, reduced delinquency, and increased community involvement. In particular, studies show that young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours for three days each week are four times as likely to be recognized for academic achievement, to participate in youth groups, and to get involved in community service as children who don't. BrainPOP's new Arts and Music category is designed to help schools and parents engage children in a broader discussion about the performing and visual arts and in that way pique students' interests in arts and music.

About BrainPOP
www.brainpop.com

BrainPOP, founded in 1999 by Avraham Kadar, M.D., is the leading producer of animated educational movies for grades K-12. Millions of students regularly watch BrainPOP movies and exchange messages with a dynamic cast of five characters who lead them through related activities on the BrainPOP web site: interactive quizzes, comic strips and experiments. Twenty-five percent of U.S. school districts subscribe to BrainPOP and integrate its offerings into daily curriculum. The company has developed partnerships with Time Warner, Popular Science, McGraw-Hill, National Geographic, AOL @ SCHOOL, Yahoo! and Road Runner. BrainPOP has won multiple education and media awards including: the District Administration Curriculum Award, top honors at the Flash Film Festival, Forbes Best of the Web, and AEP's Distinguished Achievement Award for Educational Websites for Children. BrainPOP's first print title, The Science Almanac for Kids, was published in 2004.

In early 2006, BrainPOP also launched BrainPOP en Espanol (http://es.brainpop.com/), which is designed for Spanish-speaking students. And in September 2006 the company launched BrainPOP Junior (http://www.brainpopjr.com/), designed specifically for children in grades K-3.

CONTACT: Wendy Sachs
Dan Klores Communications
212.981.5180

Lisa Kemmerer
BrainPOP
212.689.9923 x25

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: BrainPOP

CONTACT: Wendy Sachs of Dan Klores Communications, +1-212-981-5180; or
Lisa Kemmerer of BrainPOP, +1-212-689-9923 x25

Web site: http://www.brainpop.com/
http://es.brainpop.com/
http://www.brainpopjr.com/

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