

Historical Podcast
Life skill related
Communication

Methodology
Group work
Subject:
Second language
Age/Grade:
7th grade, 13-14 years old
Timing:
270 minutes (2 classes)
Materials/suggestions
History teacher, arts teacher, music teacher, drama teacher, educator figure
Description of the activity:
Introduction to Historical Podcasting:
Begin with a brief overview of podcasting as a communication medium and its relevance to historical storytelling.
Discuss the importance of using relevant communication strategies, domain-specific codes, and tools in crafting engaging and informative content.
Topic Selection and Research:
Each group selects a specific historical topic or event to explore in their podcast episode.
Provide guidance on conducting research using reliable sources, domain-specific terminology, and citation practices.
Students begin their research, gathering information and identifying key points to include in their podcast.
Every group works on the same theme, in the same way: Working in pairs, students are asked to find information on the internet about the civil rights activist Ruby Bridges. They transform that information into an interview pretending to be a journalist of a local paper.
In a role-play the students act as if they were the interviewer and the interviewed.
Scriptwriting and Recording :
Students work collaboratively to draft a script for their podcast episode, ensuring clarity, coherence, and engagement.
Emphasize the use of storytelling techniques, historical context, and vivid language to captivate the audience.
Groups record their podcast episodes, focusing on clear pronunciation, pacing, and expression to effectively communicate their ideas.
Tip for teachers: You may use Audacity https://www.audacityteam.org/ for
editing the recordings.
Editing and Feedback:
After recording, students edit their podcast episodes using audio editing software, refining content and addressing any technical issues.
Peer feedback sessions are conducted, where students listen to and provide constructive feedback on each other's podcast episodes, focusing on communication effectiveness and adherence to domain-specific codes and tools.
Presentation and Reflection:
Each group presents their podcast episode to the class, highlighting key historical insights and communication strategies used. Following the presentations, students reflect on their experiences, discussing challenges faced, lessons learned, and areas for improvement in their communication skills.
Conclusion: Wrap up the project by emphasizing the importance of effective communication in historical storytelling and encouraging students to continue developing their communication skills through further exploration of history and podcasting.
Example: RUBY BRIDGES
Pre-prepared worksheet with a guided research:


Dedicated child-friendly websites:
https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Ruby-Bridges/487557
https://www.ducksters.com/history/civil_rights/ruby_bridges.php