Subject: English Language Arts & Technology

Grade Level: 5th Grade Inclusion

Materials: • Windows PC o Student laptops/computers for student research • computer microphone • computer speakers • Microsoft Word/Word publishing program • Franklin spell-checkers • audio software – MP3 My MP3 Recorder 2.0 • teacher website (MyTeacherPages.com by School World) • student reading notebooks • fantasy genre – reading group chapter book • teacher-created job list for reading groups (see important documents at right) • podcasting direction sheet (see important documents at right)

About: This podcasting project unit is a culminating assignment for our five leveled reading groups. Each group is reading chapter books in the fantasy genre. As students finish, they use their notes from reading groups and Internet research to design a reading group web page amd an exciting podcast to showcase the book they have completed. The novelty of podcasting is a true motivator for students to read for a purpose and learn to take thorough notes as they read their fantasy books. The goal is to provide an authentic approach to improve the literacy skills of all the students. They are informed that they will eventually be a reliable source of information for their website surfers and podcast listeners. This motivates them to carefully and accurately read and respond to the assigned book. The students use their reading-group notes as well as Internet research to design web pages with information about their book and links to the fantasy genre. They also create podcast scripts for the Internet public’s listening pleasure, which are downloadable as an MP3 file from the same student web page. During this project. the students work collaboratively to develop comprehension skills, to research and cite sources, and to publish on the Internet and podcast. The students include the following sections for their podcast: • an introduction to the topic and reading group • related vocabulary • quotes about the topic (sources cited) • book and/or article reviews • graphics • interviews Optional add-ons (with teacher approval): • related riddles and jokes • related poems • other interesting facts • other student-created ideas

As a culminating project, each reading group is responsible for designing a web page highlighting their reading assignment and creating scripts for their podcasts. Student work can be viewed on the class website: http://herricks.org/webpages/spcollaborative/index.cfm?subpage=8158

For this podcasting project, students work as a collaborative team to plan and execute an exciting website and podcast script to be posted on the class website. They conduct Internet research using various kid-friendly search engines via school laptops. They cite their sources by copying and pasting websites into Microsoft Word and write brief summaries about each site They use their own research from their chapter books to create a web page that includes an introduction, vocabulary and quotes, related websites, reviews, and graphics. They write and record a script using audio software. The MP3 file is then uploaded onto their webpage. Introducing podcasting and website design to the class affords the students a unique opportunity to utilize modern technological methods to demonstrate their creativity and reading skills. The students are a diverse class with various learning challenges, speech/language deficits, and attention issues. Despite their varied reading levels (ranging from 2.6 – 6.0 grade levels) and level of understanding, they have an opportunity to learn and practice skills they once thought were beyond their level of experience. They are highly motivated and use this presentational forum as a means to demonstrate proficiency with difficult comprehension skills.

Podcasting and website design is a highly motivational method of presenting knowledge. This project is easily adapted to any class size and can be done individually or in small groups. Large-group podcasts can be created, but more time would be needed to complete the project. This activity was designed for use with the fantasy genre but can be used with any reading group or class book. Teachers need to be flexible with time restraints to allow for differentiated instruction and modifications for classified students as well as English language learners. Teachers also need to be creative in finding times that a group can be recorded while the rest of the class is silent and/or out of the room. Scheduling with a special area teacher (i.e., speech teacher) is quite helpful. Teachers should teach the genre of fantasy prior to beginning the books. We did not include instructions on how to teach this genre. We read, as a class, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. A good URL with activity ideas is: http://strangenewworlds.com/teachers/narnia.html.

http://herricks.org/webpages/spcollaborative/index.cfm?subpage=8158

Lisa Parisi Christine Southard

lparisi@herricks.org

Southard@herricks.org

Denton Avenue School
1050 Denton Avenue
New Hyde Park, NY 11040

Mrs.Lisa Parisi and Ms. Christine Southard are co-teachers in a fifth grade inclusion classroom in the Herricks School District. They are leaders in the school in the area of technology, using various forms of technology with their students in order to enhance and enrich learning. The teachers' expertise in the use of their SMARTBoard, online interactive sites, website development and maintenance, e-mailing with students and parents and podcasting has help make the students enthusiastic 21st century learners. With Lisa's 21 year of experience and Christine's 6 years of experience, they are well qualified to provide quality engaging instruction to some of the neediest children in the school. Their quest for continued ideas has led them to use e-mail, message boards, videostreaming, interactive activities, and podcasting to work with their students and maintain a connection between home and school. They are an inspirational team.

Important documents for this lesson plan.