This is my first post in a series that I have developed, based on the ideas for creating Podcasts in each learning area. These ideas have been formulated with the English curriculum across all year levels in mind. These ideas are also very relevant for ESL and Special Ed students. Please add you ideas, by commenting on this post (just click the comment button).

  1. Record presentations and explanations of key terms and concepts covered in English, adding diagrams, images and video footage where necessary. For example, create a series of recordings that provide examples and explicit instruction about different text types.
  2. Record steps or instructions in undertaking a writing task, using diagrams, examples or video footage where necessary. For example, give students a step-step guide to essay writing, with different chapter with tips and tricks for brainstorming; researching; writing an introduction, body and conclusion; editing and referencing sources.
  3. Record news stories that promote literacy: whether they be competitions, book and film reviews, guest speakers or upcoming book releases.
  4. Record interviews with writers and illustrators, for a radio show type segment.
  5. Record student progress in english, with samples of work before and after a the learning sequence. For example, record students at the start of the year, and throughout the year, to document their progress with reading fluency and/or speaking.
  6. Record students goals in english and reflections throughout the year in terms of how they have been working to achieve their goals.
  7. Record student discussions, dramatizations and debates, to formally assess speaking and listening skills. For example: students can form literature circles and discuss a particular book; they might dramatize a monologue; or debate an issue from perspective of a character in the novel being studied.
  8. Record activities that are appropriate for different levels, like writing prompts, spelling words or other tasks that are appropriate to their level of language development. For example, record spelling tests for a range of levels or record paragraphs with varying degrees of complexity, that students can punctuate.
  9. Record students reading their work out-loud during the editing process (the podcasts can be discarded, or used as evidence of the proofreading process).
  10. Record students narrating their stories, poetry and other writing, which they can share in a radio show type segment.
Written by Callie Whelan.
Melbourne Beyond Chalk Facilitator