As mid-October approaches there are teachers all over looking for some new and interesting manner of presenting the story of Christopher Columbus. How many times can you read the same book?
How about engaging your students and exciting them by creating a podcast that can be posted online for the world (or at least their parents and grandparents) to listen?
Simply choose a reader's theater script that you like. There are many available online for free.
Practice, practice, and then practice some more.
When you are ready to record there are a few methods:
1. Hook a microphone directly to the computer and record. The two most common applications for recording are GarageBand and Audacity.
2. Attach a voice recorder to your iPod and record. Griffin makes a nice one. (Be sure to set the quality to the best for recording so that the voices import correctly. If you end up with chipmunk voices in GarageBand you'll have to burn a CD with the audio tracks and then import.)
3. Use an actual voice recorder that then hooks to your computer.
After getting the best recordings, import the tracks, edit if necessary, and compile into a single track.
Post online for everyone to hear!
When kids know that their voices will be heard from anywhere in the world they have a real purpose for improving their reading fluency.
Another idea for celebrating Columbus Day is to build the three big ships on the hallway wall. Take each child's photograph. Using only the face, have each student create one of the people sailing with Columbus on the journey. The person should be dressed for the proper time era and/or position on the boat. Hang them all up on the ships! A slogan might be: Cruisin' With Columbus.
Make these Columbus Day lessons some that your children will always remember!
Download a free technology-rich lesson at http://technologylessonsforteachers.com/ Want to integrate iPods into the school setting? Start with http://ipodsatschool.com/
Kathy Cothran is an elementary media specialist committed to helping teachers turn toys into learning tools. Her vast teaching experience ranges from preschool through Master's level education classes.
For years Kathy has been a "Gadget Girl." She loves technology! Tie that to her extensive teaching background and she has been able to interest, invigorate, and inspire children and teachers to use technology in a rich, exciting manner.
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