How Teachers Can Use Scholastic BookFlix to Engage Kids in Fun Learning
- Ivy Kam
- Nov 30, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 1, 2024
I’ll be honest—I wasn’t a fan of digital products at first because I’ve always loved books. But kids these days are glued to screens, and it’s often the only way to grab their attention and get them interested in learning. So, I decided to give Scholastic BookFlix a try. Let me tell you how I use it with my students.
Usually, we start by watching the animated story, then move on to reading the nonfiction book about topics like science or history. Sometimes, I switch it up and do it the other way around—it works either way. The animated stories are a hit with the kids because they’re so engaging and colorful. The built-in subtitles are super helpful, and the narration is done by professionals, not AI, which keeps the kids interested. After watching, I like to discuss the story with the kids to make sure they understood it. Trust me, sometimes they surprise you by missing the main point, so it’s good to check.
The nonfiction books are great, too, though they don’t have the same animated feel. What’s cool is the read-along feature that highlights each word as it’s spoken. This helps the kids learn proper pronunciation, especially for tricky new words. There’s also a built-in dictionary for certain terms, which I use now and then. The topics go way beyond the usual textbook stuff, exposing kids to new ideas and places like Africa, Antarctica, and New York. You can also find books based on different themes - so it is really handy!
I remember one time we talked about how people in Africa struggle to get clean water, which led to a discussion about how we can conserve water in our daily lives. It was such a powerful moment—my students really started thinking about their own habits and how they could make changes.
I also like to extend their learning with creative activities. For younger kids, we do arts and crafts. For my more advanced students, I encourage them to write new stories inspired by what they’ve learned. For example, after reading Diary of a Worm, I had the kids write their own diaries. Or after learning about Scaredy Squirrel, who’s afraid to leave his comfort zone, we discussed the pros and cons of stepping out of your comfort zone. These activities spark their creativity and get them thinking beyond the lesson.
Another favorite activity is the Puzzlers—games that follow the stories and books. These include sequencing games to retell the story, vocabulary games, and ones that help kids distinguish between fiction and nonfiction. My students have learned so many new words this way, and it’s such a confidence boost for them as they tackle more challenging reading materials.
One thing I truly love about Scholastic BookFlix is how it teaches positive values like empathy. Through the stories and discussions, I help my students better understand their friends’ feelings. This isn’t something I’ve often seen in local books, which makes it even more valuable. Scholastic really stands out as a great supplement to the school curriculum, and I think it’s perfect for parents to use at home with their kids, too.
If you’re curious about BookFlix and want to know more, let’s connect. I’d be happy to share tips and even show you and your colleagues how to use it. Great tools like this are worth sharing!
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