🎧 💻 🎙 Media Response Activity

Podcasts and videos are two popular forms of media for students, and choice boards continue to be popular, so why not combine the two? This activity also allows for both student choice related to what information they access and how they respond to the information. 

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While students have several choices related to author interviews, TED talks, and podcasts, they do have the option to find one of their own and respond to it with teacher permission. After choosing something to watch and listen to, students choose their responses to show everything from connections made to opinions formed to questions remaining. Students could respond digitally or in print, or small groups and full classes can watch or listen to an item before responding in a discussion.

With so many options, students are sure to find something engaging and respond in a way that makes sense to them!

👀 #TakeALookTuesday--Podcast Edition

Just before the holiday break, some of the English II classes stopped by the library to participate in a podcast lesson and activity. Students will be creating podcasts for an upcoming project, so this day's work served as an introduction.

The introduction Slides were based on an earlier presentation created by our AEA digital learning consultant Cathy Hines. After working on a middle school podcast unit together, Cathy again offered great suggestions about how to present podcasting to high school students. Another great resource was Jeff Glade, an AEA instructional technology consultant with a fantastic site devoted to podcasts. With Cathy's guidance and Jeff's resources, the English II podcasting lesson and activity came together. Many thanks!

Throughout the introduction, students offered talking points related to their own podcast listening and what they already knew about podcasts, like differences between YouTubers and podcasters.

Students also had the chance to listen to a podcast and complete together a note-taking/main idea Slide as seen on Jeff Glade's website. As an activity to complete in class, students listened to the prologue and Act I of a podcast called "Babysitting" from This American Life. As we listened, we paused at times to consider main ideas and images or text that would represent what we were hearing. Both classes' Slides are below:

Recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month

 Every year from September 15 - October 15, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. According to the official website, "we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success" (Library of Congress, 2021). 

Photo credit: Detail of Hispanic Heritage Select Photos, by David Valdez

The National Park Service shares that National Hispanic Heritage Month "... traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries" (Library of Congress, 2021).

As part of our recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, DCGHS students can visit the library during advisory to access a Google Draw one-pager and take a closer look at a library display featuring titles by Latino and Latina authors or characters.

Much of the information on the one-pager originated at the National Hispanic Heritage Month official website. Students could explore various audio and video resources, browse Pinterest boards, or learn about the changes Latinas and Latinos brought to baseball. A special "thank you" to the The Book Wrangler for sharing his Google Slides, "Portraits of Hispanic Americans" and to Jeff Glade from Heartland AEA for the curated podcast list from Comprehension Amplified.

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