5 Fantastic Podcasts for the Classroom (& Activities to Use with Them)

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Show Notes:

I hope that you had a wonderful winter break and that you're feeling inspired and rejuvenated. As you come back to the classroom this January,  you just *might* be dragging your feet a little bit. 😂 Believe me, I understand how hard it can be to move out of sleeping in and enjoying leisurely hot coffee every day as you enter back into your routine. 

However, sometimes just having a couple of weeks away from the classroom can be enough to bring you back to being centered and re-inspired. It can help you realize how much you have learned in the first half of the school year. I know that this school year was likely the most challenging one on record for many teachers, not just for new teachers. So, I just want to take a moment to congratulate you again for sticking with it and to thank you for not giving up on your kiddos - even when it's hard.

Today, I want to talk about a really fun way that you can implement a fun new activity as you enter the second half of the year, and that is to use podcasts. Yes, we’re talking about podcasts on my podcast! Pretty fun, right? 

If you're anything like me, you’re probably always looking for ways that you can connect the real world to what you are doing in your classroom. With all of these great podcasts for kids popping up, there are so many opportunities to do just that. There are podcasts created especially for kids (some are even created by kids) that tell stories, share information, and even answer all of those interesting questions that kids really want to know the answers to. You know the ones. The questions like why do the seasons change? Or, how deep is the ocean? 

To take the guesswork out of it, I’m going to share all about my five favorite podcasts that can be used in the classroom. In this episode I’m also sharing specific activity examples that you can use with each of these podcasts, such as this free podcast response sheet! You may be surprised at how easily podcasts can be incorporated into any subject area and any time of the day. 

Which podcast do you plan on incorporating into your classroom first? Send me a message on Instagram @beginningteachertalk and let me know! If you are interested in hearing how other beginning teachers are using ideas like the ones mentioned in this episode, come join us in my free private Facebook group, Beginning Teacher Talk Private Group.

Inside this week's show, you'll learn:

• How to take advantage of opportunities for natural learning and natural education to happen.
• How you can tie podcasts into the units that you’re teaching or seasons you’re experiencing.
• Suggestions for fitting podcasts into pockets of time throughout your school day, no matter how busy your schedule is.
• How podcasts can help kids to develop alternative points of view, compassion for other viewpoints, and tolerance for other viewpoints.

Links & resources mentioned inside this episode:

• Grab your Podcast Response Freebie.
• But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
• The Big Fib
• Tumble Science Podcast for Kids
• Little Stories for Tiny People
• Short and Curly
• Check on my Research Writing with Vision Boards Activity. 
• Grab my January Bundle for First Year Teachers.
• Check out the Beginning Teacher Talk TpT store.
• Join our Beginning Teacher Talk Private Facebook Group.
• Follow Dr. Lori on Instagram.
• Learn more about R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy.

I hope this information is helpful as you prepare for your first, second, or third year of teaching. Until next time, remember, just because you're a beginning elementary teacher, there's no need for you to struggle like one.

💛 Lori

Dr. Lori Friesen | Beginning Teacher Mentor

Creator of the R.E.A.D.Y. for School Academy, Dr. Lori Friesen has mentored thousands of beginning teachers across the country through her workshops and courses. Host of the popular podcast, Beginning Teacher Talk, and creator of the innovative literacy program for 1st and 2nd grade, Dogs Help Kids Read and Succeed, Dr. Lori is dedicated to serving educators and inspiring learners. Learn more at drlorifriesen.com and at howdogshelpkids.com.

Want to listen on a different platform? Here are the links:

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts.

Click here to listen on Spotify.

Click here to listen on Stitcher.

Click here to listen on iHeart Radio.

Related episodes you might enjoy:

• How to Create Vision Boards with Elementary Students
• Why Vision Boards are Especially Meaningful for Your Students this Year
• Narrative and Opinion Writing with Learning Experiments
• 9 Secrets about Teaching Writing (Online or In-Person)
• 5 Great Ways to Spice Up Boring Curriculum & Increase Engagement
• 5 Classroom-Tested Ways to Inspire and Engage Student Writers

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