Podcasts
Podcasts are a compelling and ever-contemporary form of media that are perfectly suited for adolescent literacy after-school programs. Learners can choose from a wide range of compelling and relevant content that is free and easy to access anywhere. Listening to and discussing podcasts strengthens learners' knowledge of language conventions and speaking and listening skills. Develop learners reading skills by reading the podcast transcript while listening or analyzing the way that the narrative or non-fiction content is arranged and the effect that style and tone have on the listener. Strengthen students' writing skills by writing in response to the podcast or even helping them produce their own plan for a podcast after studying the medium for a period of time.
Book club podcast
Book Club for Kids (20 minute episodes)
Episodes are devoted to middle grade books and readers. Each show features a trio of students discussing a favorite book, an interview with the author, and a celebrity reading.
Episodes are devoted to middle grade books and readers. Each show features a trio of students discussing a favorite book, an interview with the author, and a celebrity reading.
Popular podcasts with links to "classroom-appropriate" episodes
The Moth (4-8 minute episodes)
Enjoy funny, powerful, and moving stories and learn about the craft of developing and performing a personal story. This link will take you to "classroom-appropriate" selections, but The Moth has an extensive archive of personal stories to choose from.
Enjoy funny, powerful, and moving stories and learn about the craft of developing and performing a personal story. This link will take you to "classroom-appropriate" selections, but The Moth has an extensive archive of personal stories to choose from.
Radiolab (15-30 minute episodes)
This podcast is a fun and entertaining way to about STEM topics and study the art of podcasting. This link will take you to a list of "kid-friendly" episodes curated by the producers, but they also have an extensive archive of stories on a wide range of topics.
This podcast is a fun and entertaining way to about STEM topics and study the art of podcasting. This link will take you to a list of "kid-friendly" episodes curated by the producers, but they also have an extensive archive of stories on a wide range of topics.
This American Life (60 minute episodes)
Each episode of this podcast is built around a theme and the content is a nice mix of fictional storytelling and non-fiction reporting. This link will take you to "stories kids seem to like," but there is a wide range of developmentally appropriate content in their archives to choose from.
Each episode of this podcast is built around a theme and the content is a nice mix of fictional storytelling and non-fiction reporting. This link will take you to "stories kids seem to like," but there is a wide range of developmentally appropriate content in their archives to choose from.
Podcasts produced by and for teens
National Public Radio (NPR)'s Student Podcast Challenge Series has an archive of selected podcast episodes created by middle and high school students across the country. In addition to these recordings, this website has a student guide for how to create a podcast and links to annual student podcast challenges (opens in January).
For some inspiration, check out the winning 2020 middle school podcast "Masked Kids" from the after-school podcast club at PS 126/Manhattan Academy of Technology, located in Chinatown.
For some inspiration, check out the winning 2020 middle school podcast "Masked Kids" from the after-school podcast club at PS 126/Manhattan Academy of Technology, located in Chinatown.
Teenager Therapy
The conversational podcast is focused on the coming-of-age experience in 2020. It is highly recommended by Teen Vogue and was recently featured in a New York Times article.
For more ideas, check out this Podcast Review list of the The 7 Best Podcasts for Teens by Gen Z Creators
The conversational podcast is focused on the coming-of-age experience in 2020. It is highly recommended by Teen Vogue and was recently featured in a New York Times article.
For more ideas, check out this Podcast Review list of the The 7 Best Podcasts for Teens by Gen Z Creators