Podcast Proposal- Book Talks

Purpose of Podcast:

The purpose of this podcast is to allow 6th graders to share book talk on books they have read and would recommend to other 6th grade students.

Podcast Description:

The audience for this podcast would be other 6th grade students as well as parents of other 6th grade students so they could be well aware of grade level books that other students have liked. I would like to have students broadcast weekly. I would choose a new student each week to share a book that they have read and enjoyed at the 6th grade level. My students would be the host of this broadcast; however, I would be the one putting it together for them and guiding them on what types of things they could say about their book. The length of the show would only be a couple of minutes probably 3-5. The format would be a summary of the book including characters, setting, plot and reasons why they would recommend the book to others.

Detailed description:

I will have one student per week give a book talk on a book that they have read and would recommend to other 6th graders. They will write up a summary that includes the title, author, genre, setting and a brief summary. Students will not give away any important plot twists but may want to describe key moments of conflict from the book without revealing how the conflict is resolved. They should then leave the audience with "If you want to know what happens, read this book!" or something similar. Students will give reasons that they liked the book and why they think others should read it. They will practice their book talk. I will make sure it is brief and engaging and that it gives enough information for someone to make a decision about whether or not to read the book.
I will then make an audio recording of each student recording his or her book talk. Each one will be an episode in the book talk podcast series. I will add some pictures in Photo Story so that I can include pictures of the book, author and characters as well as possibly students' artwork for the book. My students will be able to share their work with their families, with other classes in the school and district because I will notify other teachers and parents that a link to this will be on my class website.

Include any local/state objectives this podcast will address:

Nebraska State Standards- 8.1.1; 8.1.3; 8.1.4
Bellevue Essential Objectives- Reading and Language Arts #4