Our school is a wonderful, diverse community, including our Marine Science Academy, with a special focus on science, and a performing arts magnet, here to serve children of all needs and capabilities. School is a second home for many of our students, where they feel a sense of community.
We all need to move beyond just "reading from the book." Listening to podcasts mixes it up and excites the students.
I have discovered the wondrous world of podcasting, and want to turn on my students to all that podcasts offer. I download programs for my students such as "Grammar Girl" to learn in a fun way about fragment and run-on sentences, or "Princeton Review Vocab Minute" in which new vocabulary is taught through song! (You can also print out the actual song lyrics.) Imagine learning vocab and word roots through clever songs in all genres, from rap to country. "This American Life" has aired several shows featuring middle schoolers talking about their lives. Last year, I played an interview on "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross interviewing the amazing Congressman John Lewis, who was at Martin Luther King's side in their fight for civil rights.
My Project
One major assignment I like to give each year is "Finding Figurative Language in Song," in which students pick a song of their choice and find figurative language within, such as similes, metaphors and personification. The class rock song "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix is a great example where a student can find personification and other vivid language used by Jimi. We will play the song through the iPod and strong speakers for all to be able to hear.
Don't just read from the text!
Don't just listen to a teacher lecture. DO listen to the world, as conveyed through the amazing world of podcasting. We need a new iPod, and solid speakers to play podcasts loud and clear enough for my (unfortunately) large classes. Listening to podcasts opens hearts and minds. Try it!
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