Alaskan Podcasting

In third grade we study Alaska as part of our social studies curriculum standards. We incorporate geography and landforms, natural resources, map making skils, animals and history. After doing whole class lessons and activities around these subjects, students choose a particular topic that is of interest to them. Students work in small groups. They study their chosen topic, for example, the Exxon Valdez oil spil, or Alaskan wildlife in more depth. They then work cooperatively to write a script for a radio show that would demonstrate in a creative way what they learned about their chosen Alaskan topic. After they have practiced reading it with fluency and expression, students create their own podcast. They use garage band to import their own jingle and record themselves. The podcasts are then posted to our classroom website for not only their parents to view and listen to what they have learned, but for children all over the world.