Apply Interactive book Interactive Whiteboard Knowledge (remember) Math Primary Elementary Science Secondary Elementary Teacher Resources Understand (describe, explain) video Video Tutorials Websites

Study Jams!

What it is: Scholastic Study Jams is a fantastic collection of over 200 learning resource collections. Study Jams are videos, slide shows, and step by step explanations for science and math that will have your students discovering everything from invertebrates to the water cycle and the rule of divisibility.  Each Jam includes a teaching video/step-by-step/slide show, key vocabulary, and a test yourself section where they can practice what they have just learned.  Each Jam also suggests related jams where students can expand their learning and dig deeper on a subject.  To be honest, this is more like the textbook of the future that I envisioned.  I love that each concept is introduced in the context of a story.  Students learn the concept from fun Study Jam characters and can pause and rewind the learning as needed.  In the test yourself section, students can check for understanding and receive immediate feedback on their learning.

How to integrate Study Jams into your curriculum: Study Jams is a truly incredible collection of learning opportunities for students.  Use Jams to introduce your students to a new concept, or reinforce learning.  In Math students can learn about numbers, multiplication and division, addition and subtraction, fractions, decimals and percents, algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis, probability, and problem solving.  Each topic has several sub-topics for students to explore.  In science topics include: plants, animals, the human body, ecosystems, landforms, rocks and minerals, weather and climate, solar system, matter, force and motion, energy, light, and sound, and scientific inquiry.  Again, each science topic has several sub-topics.

Study Jams can be used with your whole class as an anticipatory set for learning using an interactive whiteboard or projector connected computer.  After viewing the step-by-step, video, or slide-show check for understanding by having your students complete the “test yourself” as a class.  This can be done with personal whiteboards where students write down their answer and hold it up, a raise of hands, or student response systems (clickers).  Use this as formative assessment to guide your lesson.  Study Jams can also be used as a center activity in the math or science classroom.  Students can visit the Study Jam as part of a larger group of related activities.  In a center, students can visit individually or in small groups and self direct their learning.  For those students who have already mastered the concept, they can view related Study Jams to extend their learning.

Study Jams is ideal for students in a 1 to 1 or lab setting.  Here students can explore at their own pace, pausing and rewinding as necessary.  They can also extend their learning based on their personal interests by choosing a related Study Jam.

Can’t find a Study Jam that fits what your students are learning? Ask students to create their own Study Jam video, slide show or step by step.  Students can use tools like Animoto, Voice Thread, or Domo Animate to create their own.  Students can create their own “test yourself” using a Google Form or survey tool.

Tips: I learned about Study Jams from someone in my blogging alliance (sorry I didn’t make note of who!) If you aren’t already following these amazing blogs, I highly recommend them (alliance #1, alliance #2).  I learn SO much every day from each one of them.  If I learned about Study Jams from your blog, leave me a comment so I can thank you here!

Please leave a comment and share how you are using Study Jams in your classroom!


Founder of Anastasis Academy, The Learning Genome Project, 5Sigma Education Conference, tech integration specialist, instructional coach, writer, dreamer.

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15 Comments

  1. Sad to see that it wasn’t going to stay free!!
    “At $9.95 a month or $99 for the year, this is a great deal! The site also offers special deals – such as a 14 day trial, a single child plan ($5.95 a month, $59 per year), teacher plan ($7.95 a month, $79 per year), and a classroom package (35 accounts for $299/year).”

  2. @Amber- I can’t find anything on the Study Jams site that indicates that they plan to charge for the site. I did a quick Google Search and found that they initially had planned to make it a pay for service. When I went back to scholastic to find out if they are going to charge I got this message “Thank you for your interest in StudyJams. At this time the program is
    no longer available for purchase, but we encourage you to explore our other online programs.” It looks to me like Study Jams in the original model was subscription based and they changed it to free. Let’s hope that it stays that way! http://store.scholastic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StudyJamsLoginView?storeId=11551

  3. Hi Kelly I wrote a post not so long ago maybe it was me> we use it for our weather unit we are studying at the moment- great for the IWB and also for kids on PC to help with their information reports

  4. Yes! That is the one!! Thank you @2sparkley for posting about Study Jams, I hadn’t seen it before and LOVE it!

    If you aren’t subscribed to 2sparkley.edublogs.org do it now, it is a fabulous blog!!

  5. This looks like a great resource that will be a wonderful reinforcement for the Math instruction already occuring in my classroom. We do “Math Workshops” each week to reinforce concepts. I plan to set up a computer workshop with some of the Addition/Subtraction topics in the very near future. This should be a good independent activity for the student.

    Also, due to our schools increased focus on Math, our Science instructional time appears to be reduced this year (since we integrate it with reading). So, I think the States of Matter activities (especially the Karaoke component!) will be very helpful in ensuring I cover all of the key concepts associated with this topic of study! I can use it with my SmartBoard as a whole group activity. My students love music, and we should never forget what a powerful teaching and learning tool music can be! Karaoke can be reading, science, and music all in one!

  6. @Laura- What a great way to combine subject areas and hit multiple skills at the same time. Students will love the Karaoke!

  7. Thank you for posting this! Also, thanks for the bundle, I am going to subscribe. This is exactly what I have been looking for. Thank you Thank you!!

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