Story Pirates
I was thrilled to see Story Pirates on the recommended list because it is hilarious, engaging, and although it is polished and professional, it still features stories written by children, so it always has a resonant message for kids and applauds imperfection. The podcast regularly features celebrities without emphasizing their fame, and one of the best parts of this podcast is the interview with the child authors whose stories are dramatized on the show. These are hilarious and have inspired my child to write silly stories. The recurring characters are quirky and beloved by kids, but also pay homage to adult listeners and their inner child as well (for example, Lee has an obsession with kefir and probiotics are little characters who appear throughout episodes).
Hey Black Child
Hey Black Child is an excellent and informative podcast that is clearly hosted by kids. Even though it is much more novice and definitely not a narrative, like Story Pirates, it is intriguing to hear young people convey information like experts and is still professional. My son really enjoyed this, and he especially liked learning about hidden figures and events of history.
At Your Level
This podcast features current events that are relevant to kids and are explained in a kid-friendly way. The Back To School episode was really useful for my family. My son has really enjoyed being in school, but is also wrought with anxiety abou Covid, so this podcast was a useful tool to help him understand information, validate his own conflicting feelings, and help him manage some of his anxiety. I wish I’d known about this podcast long ago, because it’s so helpful!
Similar to Michael Godsey (Mindshift, 2018), I have long used podcasts as a way to engage high school students, especially those who have lower reading levels, those who are just reluctant readers, and those who are English language learners. The podcasts I regularly draw on are: This American Life, The Moth, Radio Diaries and Snap Judgment. All of these podcasts have nonfiction elements but have compelling presentations, and many of them feature authors whom we’ve read (Ishmael Beah, David Sedaris, Ishmael Beah, and Ta-Nehisi Coates). Our brains have been so altered by media and technology that I find students really struggle to connect with texts and lack listening skills. Podcasts are a great way to build interest in non-fiction, improve listening skills, discuss bias and primary versus secondary sources, and they force a level of focus that students need practice with. My students are usually resistant and complain when we begin listening to a podcast, but by the end, they are enrapt.
Mindshift. (2018, March 18). Why listening to podcasts helps kids improve reading skills. KQED.https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/44389/why-listening-to-podcasts-helps-kids-improve-reading-skills