Multimedia: Audio or Video Lesson Idea

Lesson Idea Name: Exploring the Main Idea Podcast

Grade Level/Content Area: Fourth grade English Language Arts
Content Standard Addressed: ELAGSE4RI2: Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is
supported by key details; summarize the text.

ISTE Technology Standard Addressed:  What would you like students to know and be
Global Collaborator 1.7.c. - Students able to do by the end of this lesson: Students
will be able to determine the main idea of a text
contribute constructively to project teams,
and explain how it is supported by key details;
assuming various roles and responsibilities to they will be able to summarize the text.
work effectively toward a common goal.

What is the student learning goal for this lesson idea? The student learning goal for this lesson is
for the students to be able to create their own podcast and summarize a story that they have read
while identifying the main idea using key details to support their thoughts.

Selected Instructional Software Tool: Spotify for Podcasters

Description of Software: Spotify for Podcasters is a free online website that allows students and
teachers to create their own podcasts to share with others.

URL(s) to support the lesson (if applicable):

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☐ Remembering ☐X Understanding ☐ X Applying ☐ Analyzing ☐ Evaluating ☐ X 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.

☐ X 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
it via an outside source.)
Lesson idea implementation:
I will show the class an example podcast that I will create in order to show them what their
TFrazier, 2022
 Multimedia: Audio or Video Lesson Idea

expectations are for this lesson. We will discuss the podcast and will answer any questions students
may have at this time. Students will partner up with another classmate in order to create their
podcast. Each pair will choose their own book that they would like to complete the activity on. They
will read their book, and then they will create a script for their podcast. In their script, they will
summarize their story, and they will discuss the main idea of the story. They will be detailed and
thorough while using key details from the story to support their ideas. The students will decide how
to take turns talking in their podcast and the teacher will walk around the classroom to facilitate and
provide feedback for each group as they are working. The lesson will be concluded by having each
pair play their podcast for the class as we listen and discuss what we like about them.
Managing student learning: Students will go from passive learners while they are reading and
deciding on the main idea of the story, to active learners while they are recording their podcasts.
The students will hopefully become more engaged as they are actively learning and will have more
meaningful discussions. Students will be given time limits for reading their story, writing their script,
and for creating their podcast. This will help keep students on task and diligently working without
falling behind. Students will also be encouraged to ask three - then me, in order to limit time taken
away from teacher facilitation.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Reflection: The UDL principle that will be met in this lesson is
Multiple Means of Action and Expression. Students will have full creative liberty while creating their
podcast and will get a chance to show and express their ideas and designs. Students will get the
chance to share their thoughts with everyone and to explain their thinking. They will be able to
personally explain and show to their classmates their ideas and reasonings behind them, giving them
a way to express themselves.
Reflection: I feel that the activity I created will help students become more engaged and confident in
this topic and excited to learn. I think that students love it when they get a chance to express their
creativity and to share their thoughts and opinions, so I think that they will really enjoy this lesson. I
am excited to listen to all of the podcasts and to hear the various ideas and explanations that
students will describe.

TFrazier, 2022