Multimedia: Audio or Video Lesson Idea

Lesson Idea Name: America’s National Holidays

Grade Level/Content Area: Kindergarten/social studies
Content Standard Addressed: SSKH1 Identify the national holidays and describe the people and/or
events celebrated.
ISTE Technology Standard Addressed:  What would you like students to know and be
Creative Communicator – 1.6.c. Students able to do by the end of this lesson: I would like
communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively student to be able to identify the national
by creating or using a variety of digital objects such holidays and describe the people and/or events
as visualizations, models or simulations.
celebrated by creating a podcast using Anchor.

What is the student learning goal for this lesson idea?

Students will be able to create their own podcast using Anchor about the people and/or events of
two of America's national holidays they find most interesting.

Selected Instructional Software Tool: Anchor

Description of Software: Anchor is a free recording tool that can be used to make podcasts. It is
created by Spotify and allows users to upload episodes too various different platforms. Audio can be
recorded directly from any device or uploaded. It can be recorded in segments and put into any
order. Music, messages, and transitions can be added to enhance the listening experience. Podcasts
can also be monetized and shared with others. A cover image can be added to make each episode
unique.

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable): https://anchor.fm/chloe-rueckert

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☒ Remembering ☒ Understanding ☒ Applying ☒ Analyzing ☒ Evaluating ☒ Creating

How do you plan to implement this lesson and integrate the technology? Check all that apply:

☐ Teacher-led: There is no student voice and choice in the activities. Students are guided by the
teacher's direction and expectations. Learning activities are assigned to the student and mostly
practice based.

☒ Student-Led: Students are given voice and choice in the activities. They may select the topic of
learning and/or determine the tool they will use to meet the learning goal. The teacher facilitates
the learning as the students direct their own learning processes.

☐ Problem-based and/or Publishable: Students are solving problems and completing projects to
demonstrate their learning. Additionally, the projects can be shared outside of the classroom.
(Note: This objective could be reached by displaying the project on the school’s morning
newscast, posting the project to the classroom blog, presenting it to another class, or publishing
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 Multimedia: Audio or Video Lesson Idea
it via an outside source.)
Lesson idea implementation:
I will introduce students to the topic by creating a podcast about America’s national holidays. This
podcast will be posted on my blog for both students and parents to listen to at home with a
transcript of what is said. In my podcast, I introduce America’s national holidays as our new unit
topic. I provide some examples and share my favorite national holiday. Then, I give students an
assignment to complete before next class to prepare for learning the following day. The next day, I
will ask the students to share with the class what their favorite national holiday is and how they
celebrate it. Then, we will read the learning goal together. I will break down the important nouns
and verbs so that the students understand what is expected of them. Next, I will talk to the students
about each of the 14 national holidays including Christmas, Columbus Day, Independence Day,
Juneteenth National Independence Day, Labor Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, New
Year’s Day, Presidents Day (George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and the current president),
Thanksgiving Day, and Veterans Day. Afterwards, I will have the students create their own podcast
about the people and/or events of two of America's national holidays they find most interesting
using Anchor. They will first need to write or type a transcript of what they are going to say. They can
make their podcast unique by adding different music, messages, and transitions. To conclude the
lesson, students will share their podcast with their seat neighbor.

Managing student learning: 
Before students record their podcast, they will need to create a transcript of what they are going to
say. This will make the recording process smooth with minimal stuttering. Students will actively
make decisions on what music, transitions, and cover images they will include in their audio
recording. Each national holiday they choose to talk about in their podcast should only take about a
minute. Therefore, the entire podcast should be approximately 2 minutes long. Students should
individually record their podcasts to eliminate background noise, but they may collaborate when
sharing their podcasts with each other afterwards. My role as a teacher is to facilitate learning. I will
be walking around to answer questions and provide assistance if necessary.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Reflection:

The activity I planned for the students supports Multiple Means of Representation because a
transcript is provided with my podcast. The transcript provides accessibility for both students and
parents who may listen to my podcast. Students and parents who are hearing impaired can read the
text to receive the necessary information. The tool I selected enhances the learning experience for
students because they are able to hear an audio recording of my voice and practice their listening
skills. The activity I planned also supports Multiple Means of Action & Expression because students
can choose the national holidays they wish to cover in their podcast. They have the opportunity to
create a podcast on the national holidays that interest them most. Students can choose their own
music and transitions within the podcast.

Reflection: After designing this lesson idea, I feel the activities I created will impact student learning
by provoking imagination and creativity. They will be able to demonstrate their learning in an
accessible way. I look forward to implementing the part of the lesson where students create their
own podcasts because I get to witness their creativity and learn more about the interests of my
students.

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 Multimedia: Audio or Video Lesson Idea

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