Podcasts in the Classroom:
Imagine the Possibilities
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Podcasts for Students
Podcasts for Students
On the following slides you will find suggested podcasts to use in the classroom.
They are divided out Elementary, Middle School/High School and High School.
These are merely the tip of the iceberg. If you see nothing that catches your eye then simply do a google search with your topic and add the word Podcast to the end.
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Clicking on a button above will take you podcasts for specific grade levels.
Podcast Elementary
The Radio Adventures of Eleanor Amplified�Listen as world-famous radio reporter Eleanor foils devious plots, outwits crafty villains, and goes after The Big Story. Eleanor’s pursuit of truth takes her into orbit, out to sea, and even to the halls of Congress! Her adventures are entertaining and informative.
Short and Curly�A fun-filled podcast for kids all about ethical questions that get kids and adults thinking. “Do you have to love your sibling?” “Are some lies actually okay?” “Is it ever okay to fight back against a bully?”
Tumble�Science is brought to life in this podcast that tells stories about science discoveries with help from actual scientists. They answer questions from why cats always seem to land on their feet to what a journey to the center of the earth would look like.
Podcast Elementary
The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd�Follow the on-going battle between Dr. Floyd and the evil mastermind, Dr. Steve (along with his sock-shaped assistant, Fidgert). During all their fighting, Dr. Floyd learns about history. With more than 400 episodes, there are plenty to choose from.
Brains On!�“Brains On!” features science and kids. The host and her kid co-host talk with food scientists and snake handlers, put on plays, write songs, and so much more. It’s a science lesson for your ears!
Storynory�An online treasure-trove of free audio stories. You can listen to a mixture of original stories, fairy tales, and specially adapted myths and histories. Storynory has published an episode every week since 2005, so there is plenty to love and something for everyone.
Podcast Elementary
Grades K–6
NPR's brand-new podcast premiered on May 15, 2017. It's the first NPR podcast to be aimed at kids, and the goal is to "guide curious kids and their grown-ups away from their screens and on a journey." While the specific topics the podcast will cover remain to be seen, the creators say it will focus on important science and technology subjects and questions that families -- or classrooms -- can explore together.
Grades 6–12
Science Friday with Ira Flatow covers a variety of complex science topics, which are great for high school students to use in research or when developing a project or paper. For middle school teachers, Kidsnet offers the Science Friday Kids' Connection curriculum referencing the Science Friday material but in a form more digestible for that age group. Teachers can find any scientific subject covered in the archives, so no matter what you're teaching, the podcast and accompanying curriculum can be priceless (and you may learn a thing or two as well!).
Podcast Elementary
Hosted by a 7-year old (at the time of this writing) and her mother, this podcast features interviews with experts in various fields, celebrities, and a collection of award winners. Their goal? Help students follow their dreams. This podcast is a great way to introduce students to interviewing techniques, how to think on a “big picture” scale, and learn from some of the folks they look up to. Suggested for: ALL AGES
Listenwise�Grade 5-12�Listenwise is an award-winning listening skills platform, searchable by topic area or school subject. It advances classroom learning by providing additional content and building listening skills. There is also a focus on current events that keeps learning tied to the real world.
The Subscribed Classroom: Using Podcasts to Teach About Social Justice�More and more educators are turning to podcasts to bring new ideas, arguments and voices into their classrooms.
Podcast Elementary
This a show led by kids. They ask the questions and we find the answers. It’s a big interesting world out there. On But Why, we tackle topics large and small, about nature, words, even the end of the world. Know a kid with a question? Record it with a smartphone. Be sure to include your kid's first name, age, and town and send the recording to questions@butwhykids.org!
This a group of world-class actors, comedians, improvisers and musicians who adapt stories written by kids into sketch comedy and musical theater. Visit www.storypirates.com for more information on Story Pirates and how you can bring our live show to your school or town!
A debate show for kids and families from the makers of the award-winning podcast, Brains On! Every episode takes two cool things, smashes them together and lets you decide which is best. Cats versus Dogs. Pizza versus Tacos. Super Speed versus Super Strength. Who will be crowned the Smash Boom Best? Our debaters use facts and passion to make their case... teaching listeners how to defend their own opinions along the way.
Podcast Elementary
A key skill in the age of digital access to information is being able to identify lies and falsehoods, tools which are only learned through practice. Pants on Fire is a podcast game show, where a kid goes up against two adults, only one of whom is an expert on the topic of the episode. It helps kids learn how to ask questions and analyze information given.
This science interview show is hosted by 6-year-old Nate, and while it has some serious science chops, it’s also just plain adorable. Nate talks to scientists about everything from alligators to radiation to vultures, in his distinctly original interviewing style.
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Podcast Middle School
Welcome to Night Vale�Tune into the community radio of this desert town for the news on local weather, the mysterious lights overhead, announcements from the Sheriff’s Secret Police, a dog park that prohibits dogs, and dark hooded figures with unknowable powers.
Freakonomics Radio�A podcast created by the co-author of Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics, Stephen Dubner invites listeners to explore the hidden sides of everything. And, given his almost 300 episodes on topics ranging from “Millionaires vs. Billionaires” to “How to Win a Nobel Prize,” he is well on his way to talking about everything.
StarTalk Radio�Neil deGrasse Tyson talks about all things space: stars, planets, humans in space, and so much more. He also interviews a lot of amazing people, from Buzz Aldrin to Alan Rickman.
Podcast Middle School
The Allusionist�Explore the English language, with all its oddities! Filled with good humor and levity, this podcast will help you explore the roots of words and phrases that we use every day.
Stuff You Missed in History Class�The title speaks for itself. Learn about people and events that are often overlooked in a typical history class.
Listenwise�Grade 5-12�Listenwise is an award-winning listening skills platform, searchable by topic area or school subject. It advances classroom learning by providing additional content and building listening skills. There is also a focus on current events that keeps learning tied to the real world.
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Podcasts Middle and High School
Grades 6–12
Science Friday with Ira Flatow covers a variety of complex science topics, which are great for high school students to use in research or when developing a project or paper. For middle school teachers, Kidsnet offers the Science Friday Kids' Connection curriculum referencing the Science Friday material but in a form more digestible for that age group. Teachers can find any scientific subject covered in the archives, so no matter what you're teaching, the podcast and accompanying curriculum can be priceless (and you may learn a thing or two as well!).
Grades 6–12
One of the largest oral history projects of its kind, StoryCorps consists of more than 50,000 interviews from more than 80,000 participants. Students at just about any grade level or in any subject area could use the StoryCorps interviews in a variety of ways. In a National Teachers Initiative section, listeners can find interviews between teachers and students or former students. The interviews can be used as writing prompts, discussion topics, primary sources for research projects, and more. Students also can record their own stories.
Career and Technical Education Podcast
The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) has developed a podcast series dedicated to middle school career exploration. Over five episodes we will hear from a variety of practitioners diligently working in this space of middle school career exploration, as they share their thoughts and ideas on why and how exploring careers in middle school is important to the development of adolescents.
Podcasts Middle and High School
Only 1 season so far and I’m waiting impatiently for the 2nd season. The AP US Government teacher in me LURVES this podcast. Each episode looks at major a Supreme Court case and/ or legal concept. This podcast would be incredibly useful for AP Government students! Or just anyone interested in the Supreme Court. Fave episode: Object Anyway
This is Normal�'This is Normal' is a podcast where young people talk about their own mental health challenges -- and how they got through them. Because when we share our stories, we can all feel a little less alone.�
Grades 6–12
This I Believe was a radio series on NPR (now archived) that focused on the writing, sharing, and discussing of people's core beliefs through short personal essays. In the classroom, teachers can use This I Believe to get students to write about their own experiences. Personal experiences, beliefs, and values can make a rich foundation for classroom discussions, but you'll want to make sure you've created a safe space for sharing. A companion book and website offer plenty of resources for teachers and students to work on personal essays.
Podcasts Middle and High School
FREAKONOMICS�Loved the book and I love the podcast. The hosts basically try to figure out why we, as individuals and as communities, make certain economic choices. It’s really a combination of economics and psychology – a twofer! And this show is never dull. Fave (recent) episodes: So How Much Brain Damage Do I Have?, The Fracking Boom, a Baby Boom, and the Retreat From Marriage
BACKSTORY�By far my favorite podcast for years! I do a little happy dance when I see there is a new episode. The hosts are all historians of American history. Each episode has a theme – Thanksgiving, hair, etc. The hosts explore the theme in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries to help explain the theme in today’s culture. The authors also talk a lot about historiography – how interpretations of history have changed over the course of centuries. Favorite episodes: Contagion, Charlottesville
The Subscribed Classroom: Using Podcasts to Teach About Social Justice�More and more educators are turning to podcasts to bring new ideas, arguments and voices into their classrooms.
Podcasts Middle and High School
This one is brand new and I’m enjoying it so far. The host looks at an issue we’re facing in the US and sees how it plays out in another country. Sometimes the situations are strikingly similar and others times . . . not so much. But always fascinating! Fave episode: American Surrogate.
If you haven’t heard Terry Gross, the host of Fresh Air, interview a guest, you haven’t really heard a good interview. Seriously, she’s ah-mazing. The show is a mix of political, literary, music, and pop culture guests.
Engaging and Effective Teaching: information, ideas, and resources from a high school English teacher. �This post lists out her favorite podcasts along with with what standards and texts to pair them with. Many teachers prefer seasonal activities so I’m going to break this up by month. However, any of these can be used at anytime throughout the year.
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Podcasts for High School
Serial�Sarah Koenig tells one story, told week by week. The first season covers the true story of Adnan Syed, convicted for the murder of his ex-girlfriend in Baltimore. The problem: Adnan cannot remember what he was doing the day of the murder. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, there’s someone claiming that he helped Adnan hide the body.
Radiolab�Radiolab is a show about curiosity. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience.
Criminal�Stories of people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle. Phoebe Judge explores topics from owls killing people to “How to fake your death” to the life of a police dog.
Podcasts for High School
This American Life�Each episode of This American Life centers around a theme, with most being journalistic at the core, but some are comedic. This podcast is hard to generalize, especially after over 600 episodes. But the amount of episodes, and it’s massive popularity, should speak for itself.
Youth Radio�Youth Radio is a podcast for teens, published by teens. It was created to showcase the power of young people as makers of media, technology, and community. It brings the teen perspective to issues of public concern.
Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers and The Tipping Point, looks back through the overlooked and misunderstood in history, re-examining the past and asking whether we got it right the first time.
Podcasts for High School
Grades 9–12
Grammar is notoriously boring, but Grammar Girl, part of the Quick and Dirty Tips Network, manages to make it interesting, and English teachers everywhere are grateful. The website has transcripts of each episode, but the audio delivery is animated and friendly and probably of more interest to students. This podcast is best for middle and high school students and incorporates both traditional grammar questions and more quirky analysis of new types of grammar unique to social media, for example.
Grades 9–12
Every teacher and student knows that, while history may not have been boring, history textbooks often are. Hardcore History with Dan Carlin is aiming to change all that, with honest and dramatic looks at historical figures and events that go far outside the basic historical outline many of us learned. While Hardcore History is not released on a predictable schedule and the episodes are often very long, it brings history to life in an invaluable way. History teachers who take the time to curate clips may find that their students have a whole new interest in learning.
Podcasts for High School
Straight Talking Series: Automotive Students Must Listen
For all automotive students that will seek a career in the automotive world. A compilation of podcasts that brings a cross-section of discussions from industry thought leaders, technicians, educators and shop owners. Prepare for your future.
Top Ten Podcasts to Help You Learn a Language
From videos in Japanese to news in German, language blogger Lindsay Dow recommends her favourite podcasts to keep you motivated and inspired while improving your skills.
Listen and learn 7 great podcasts for young engineers
Podcasts for High School
This a show led by kids. They ask the questions and we find the answers. It’s a big interesting world out there. On But Why, we tackle topics large and small, about nature, words, even the end of the world. Know a kid with a question? Record it with a smartphone. Be sure to include your kid's first name, age, and town and send the recording to questions@butwhykids.org!
This a group of world-class actors, comedians, improvisers and musicians who adapt stories written by kids into sketch comedy and musical theater. Visit www.storypirates.com for more information on Story Pirates and how you can bring our live show to your school or town!
Listen and learn 7 great podcasts for young engineers
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Podcasts for the Teacher
On the following slides you will find suggested professional podcasts for teachers.
These are a great resource to learn different teacher tips, tricks and ideas.
These are merely the tip of the iceberg. If you see nothing that catches your eye then simply do a google search with your topic and add the word Podcast to the end.
Podcasts for Teachers
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Podcasts for Teachers
The Heinemann podcast takes three of our favorite things—books, teachers, and teaching ideas—and talks to teachers and Heinemann authors about them for about twenty minutes.
The Google Tribe podcast offers tips, tricks, and hacks for making the most of Google Classroom. Whether you want help with Google Docs, Forms, Slides, or some other tool inside this huge suite of programs, this podcast has got the help you need. It will walk you through how to use Google Classroom to make learning better for your students—and life easier for you.
The Education Podcast Network encourages you to think about your profession and succeed in the world of education. Whether you are a first-year educator or a seasoned veteran there is a podcast for you.
Podcasts for Teachers
The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast is designed to give you creative and practical teaching strategies for your ELA or really any content area classroom in the time it takes to go for a run, drive to the store, or get ready in the morning. I know your life is BUSY. If you'd like some professional development that doesn't require a plane ticket or a week of your time, this is the place to start.
PodcastPD, the anytime, anywhere learning for educators. Hosts Stacey Lindes, AJ Bianco, and Christopher J. Nesi cover a topic and area of growth for educators and also share the power of podcasts in education in each episode. Get the PD yo don’t get in your faculty meetings!
Welcome to the Language Latte podcast page: free professional development for world language teacher in the form of a podcast. Language Latte is a conversation about teaching world languages.
Podcasts for Teachers
The Ten-Minute Teacher Podcast is unique in that it offers five episodes a week, each focusing on different themes in education. You can tune in to Motivational Mondays, EdTech Tool Tuesdays, Wonderful Classroom Wednesdays, Thought Leader Thursdays, and Five Idea Fridays. Each episode features a short interview with a remarkable teacher. This show provides a lot of variety and freshness to keep you thinking about new angles in education.
The Creative Classroom has episodes about growth mindset, project-based learning, design thinking, and, of course, creativity. Here’s where you can find what moves you to be creative and how to inspire that in your students.
The Shake Up Learning Show is a weekly podcast hosted by Kasey Bell. The show features a variety of episodes for K12 teachers and educators, including tech tips, lesson ideas, practical advice, on-air coaching, student interviews, and interviews with inspiring educators.
Podcasts for Teachers
The Chromebook Classroom Podcast explores how Chromebooks are impacting the K-12 classroom. Hosted by author and Google Certified Trainer John Sowash who interviews a variety of guests who share their Chromebook Classroom experience.
The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast talks about Teaching strategies, classroom management, education reform, educational technology--if it has something to do with teaching we’re talking about it. Jennifer Gonzalez interviews educators, students, administrators and parents about the psychological and social dynamics of school, trade secrets, and other juicy things you’ll never learn in a textbook.
HMH Learning Moments: Teachers in America is a new podcast. You’ll hear stories told by real teachers from all over the United States, who share their interesting situations from fascinating perspectives. It’s hard not to put yourself in their place as you listen and wonder how you’d do.
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Creating a Podcast
Creating Podcasts
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On the following slides you will find resources to use to start creating podcasts.
You will find step by step guides and resources with ideas for why/how to create podcasts with your students.
Creating Podcasts
Creating Podcasts
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Reflect and Take Back to Your Classroom