TeachersFirst's Educational Podcasts for Students
Engage and inspire your learners with educational podcasts. The act of listening to podcasts offers many benefits to our students. The podcasts are available anytime, making them ideal for in-person, remote, blended, and flipped instruction. Students can listen a second time to deepen their understanding. Podcasts offer benefits to students who may have visual impairments or reading delays. They offer great instructional practice for the elementary grades through adult learners. In this collection, we share many educational podcasts for students of all ages in various subject areas.

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Coffee Break Languages - Radio Lingua Ltd
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): chinese (43), cultures (125), french (72), german (47), italian (27), podcasts (65), portuguese (21), spanish (102)
In the Classroom
Use this resource in world language classes and with ENL/ESL students. Include this site as a resource when students are working on a project about another culture. If you have students in world language, world cultures, or even language arts classes who need enrichment - send them to this site to learn the basics of a new language or to look for roots that show in English. Self-motivated advanced students or those planning a semester abroad can learn language basics independently here. Finally, include this site for "Children of the World Day" or family heritage day activities. As students practice and learn a new language, share an online recording tool such as Vocaroo, reviewed here, for students to record and playback conversations.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Ask Dr. Universe - Washington State University
Grades
K to 8tag(s): animals (270), cells (78), nutrition (132), planets (110), plants (140), podcasts (65), space (210), STEM (243)
In the Classroom
Download the field guide and print copies for students to take notes and record their questions about the world around us. Submit questions to Dr. Universe to see if she will respond to your questions. Include the podcast as part of a learning or computer center in your classroom. Explore previous questions together as a class to find out answers to common questions such as "Why Do Leaves fall in the fall?" or "Why can't we breathe in space?" Include Dr. Universe's response within science lessons created using Curipod, reviewed here. Create and share interactive self-paced lessons in Curipod, including videos, quizzes, podcasts, and more. Have students extend learning by creating explainer videos using Kizoa, reviewed here about topics researched.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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A History of Ideas - BBC Radio
Grades
9 to 12In the Classroom
Include this podcast in your philosophy classrooms or as a critical thinking activity within gifted and talented classrooms. Introduce the work of philosophers and philosophical discussions through the use of student choice boards. For example, create a Wakelet collection, reviewed here, that provides links to several different topics found in the podcast archives and allow students (or student groups) to use that as a starting point for their activity. Ask students to use Wakelet to create a collaborative collection that includes information based on their research. Items might include videos, articles, and websites that support all sides of their philosophical discussion. As a final extended learning activity, have students create animated presentations using Presentious, reviewed here. For example, have students use the template created as an "Influencer Marketing Proposal" as a starting point for convincing others that their philosophy is the correct way to look at the information.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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KidNuz - KidNuz
Grades
K to 6In the Classroom
Include KidNuz as part of any current events or social studies center activities. Ask students to listen to the podcasts and take quizzes. Have older students use KidNuz as a starting point to learn more about current events. After further research of the event, ask them to share what they learned and their sources using Seesaw, reviewed here. Enhance learning and ask students to create their own current events quizzes using Quizizz, reviewed here. Use the KidNuz podcasts to extend learning by asking students to create their own 5-10 minute podcasts sharing the latest world news along with news from your classroom and school. Buzzsprout, reviewed here, is a free podcasting tool that offers a large selection of options, including the ability to record and schedule podcasts for release at your chosen date and time.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Molly of Denali Podcast - PBS Kids
Grades
2 to 6tag(s): alaska (20), native americans (86), podcasts (65)
In the Classroom
Molly of Denali is perfect for including with any lessons or units on Alaska or Native Americans. Listen to podcasts together as a class pausing throughout the episode as needed to identify important information such as different modes of transportation used in Alaska, weather and climate indicators, and geographic locations referenced. Before beginning your unit, engage students by asking them to brainstorm what they know about Alaska or Native Americans using Padlet, reviewed here, where you can add columns for wildlife, transportation, weather, etc. Build upon students' knowledge and address misconceptions based on your brainstorming activities. Consider creating activities within a learning management system such as Actively Learn, reviewed here. Add videos and articles based on your students' ability levels and comprehension. Enhance learning further using Symbaloo, reviewed here, to share bookmarks for further learning and additional activities. To differentiate learning, create two or more Symbaloo's based upon student interest and/or ability levels. Extend learning by participating in a virtual field trip. Choose from several different options found at Giz.la, reviewed here, and then ask students to to choose and create their own podcasts featuring any destination using Molly of Denali as a model. Spotify for Podcastors (was Anchor), reviewed here, is one of several free podcasting services suitable for classroom use.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Book Club for Kids - Kitty Felde
Grades
5 to 9tag(s): authors (100), book lists (151), book reports (27), literature (217), podcasts (65)
In the Classroom
This tremendous resource is a must-have for all middle school classrooms and libraries! Share the podcasts with students not only to learn about the latest books but also to learn how to improve public speaking skills, learn about the author's techniques and tips, and discover how to share informative book reports. Subscribe to the podcast and have students listen to weekly presentations during center times or as a class. Share the "Books We Love" portion of the site on your class webpage for students to use when looking for reading material. Ask your school librarian to share these podcasts in the media center and look into ordering books of interest to your students. As students learn from these podcasts, ask them to use what they learned to create their podcasts to share with classmates and your school. Have students use organizers found on ReadWriteThink, reviewed here, to organize and plan for their podcasts and book reviews. Help students visualize their written work by creating word clouds with Wordsift, reviewed here, to focus on commonly-used terms within their text and evaluate their usefulness. As a final project, help your students create and produce ongoing podcasts sharing their book reviews with peers. Buzzsprout, reviewed here, and Spotify for Podcasters (wasAnchor), reviewed here, both provide free podcasting tools.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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dailySTEM - Chris Woods
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many ideas found on this site to inspire STEM learning in your classroom and at home. Use the 77 Simple STEM Activities for Families PDF to share weekly tips on your class website for STEM ideas at home. Encourage students to share their activities by taking pictures and videos to share in school. Compile student activities into an online book using Book Creator, reviewed here. Include videos, images, and student explanations of activities in your class book. Enhance student learning by asking students to explain the STEM content behind their activities by creating an animated explanation using Powtoon, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Celebrating Black History Month - Collection - Poetry Foundation
Grades
7 to 12tag(s): african american (107), biographies (95), black history (112), cultures (125), podcasts (65), poetry (182)
In the Classroom
Share several poems with students and then have them create similar poet and poem podcasts. Start your own classroom collection to be shared digitally on your website. Exchange the physical whiteboard or chalkboard by creating a digital, collaborative board using a tool such as Lino, reviewed here, for the collection ideas. Enhance learning and augment classroom technology use by using a site such as podomatic, reviewed here, for students to present their poems to their classmates. Post the podcasts to your class website for students and parents to enjoy at home.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Circle Round - WBUR
Grades
K to 6tag(s): character education (74), diversity (34), folktales (34), podcasts (65), stories and storytelling (37)
In the Classroom
Place the link To Circle Round on your teacher web page for students to share stories at home, too. The stories would make an excellent classroom listening center with headphones. Let younger students listen over and over. Use these delightful stories as opportunities to develop listening skills by playing the story, then asking questions. Ask listening comprehension questions, or talk about story structure with older children (rising action, climax, and falling action, for example). Consider having your younger students share their own favorite stories with a tool like Flip, reviewed here, and then encourage students to respond to each others favorites. Inspire your older students to build fluency and expression by creating their own podcasts after listening to these. For this have students plan their story with digital "post its" that can be moved around using a tool like Pinup, reviewed here. Once students are ready, have them record their podcast using a tool like Podcast Generator, reviewed here. Be sure to post student podcasts on your website or wiki to share with parents.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids - Vermont Public Radio
Grades
K to 7tag(s): podcasts (65)
In the Classroom
Listen to several podcasts together as a class. Enhance learning by challenging students to reflect on their learning and what they would like to learn more about using a tool such as Flip, reviewed here. Then have students come up with their own questions to be answered and submit them on a tool such as Dotstorming, reviewed here, and then to vote on their 3 favorite questions to submit.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! - National Public Radio (NPR)
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): journalism (69), listening (63), logic (162), news (228), podcasts (65), problem solving (219)
In the Classroom
Subscribe to this podcast and listen together as a class. This format provides many opportunities to develop listening and problem-solving skills and also provides an opportunity to teach skills for recognizing "fake news." After listening to several podcasts encourage students to create their own programs using a similar format. First, replace paper notecards and pen and have students plan out the podcast using Notejoy, reviewed here, where students can collaborate on the script and move the notecards around until they have their podcast just right. Strenghten learning by recording and publishing their podcast using Buzzsprout, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Eleanor Amplified - WHYY Philadelphia
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): behavior (41), character education (74), creative writing (119), journalism (69), listening (63), podcasts (65)
In the Classroom
Listen to podcasts together as a class. Ask students to share key information from each episode and share using an online bulletin board like Pinside, reviewed here. After each episode, have students use the Breaking News Generator, reviewed here, to entice others to listen to the podcast or as a short summary of the episode. Challenge students to create their own podcast adventure and share using Buzzsprout, reviewed here. Buzzsprout offers up to 2 hours per month of free podcast hosting.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Wow in the World - National Public Radio
Grades
K to 8tag(s): animals (270), conservation (82), debate (38), plants (140), podcasts (65), scientists (62), space (210)
In the Classroom
Use Wow in the World podcasts to introduce current events and technology innovations to your students. Listen together, or create a link to the podcast on classroom computers. Instead of sharing a written response to information learned on the podcast, have cooperative learning groups create their own podcasts demonstrating their understanding of one of the concepts. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here. For younger students, after listening to a podcast, you may want to challenge students to reflect on their learning and what they would like to learn more about using a tool such as Flip, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Memory Palace - Nate DiMeo
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): 1800s (66), 1900s (58), art history (82), artists (76), digital storytelling (140), listening (63), museums (43), new york (21), podcasts (65), presidents (117)
In the Classroom
You may want to consider choosing the link Where Do I Start? to begin your journey with this podcast. This section contains the author's personal favorites. Listen to weekly podcasts together in class to stimulate discussion and interest in art and history topics and the art of storytelling. Assign the weekly podcast as listening homework. Some of the comments may suggest songs and other stories that are similar. After you've invetigated those, share them with your students. Have students create a series of questions to ask each other about issues discussed on the podcast. Have cooperative learning groups create podcasts demonstrating their understanding of one of the concepts. Use a site such as Buzzsprout, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Short & Curly Podcast - ABC3 Australia
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): debate (38), ethics (22), persuasive writing (53), podcasts (65)
In the Classroom
Use Short & Curly podcasts as an introduction to a persuasive writing unit. Listen together, then have students use content from the podcast to support their opinion on the topic. Have students create their own podcasts presenting their point of view. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Brains On! - Minnesota Public Radio/Southern California Public Radio
Grades
K to 8tag(s): animals (270), earth (179), plants (140), podcasts (65), space (210), tides (6), volcanoes (54), waves (14), weather (159)
In the Classroom
Use Brains On! for your students to listen to in classroom centers. Use for curious students to explore subjects you do not always teach, such as biology, chemistry, or even all about hair! Watch together on your interactive whiteboard (don't forget to share the extras!). Use the podcasts as a model when studying other subjects, giving students structure and ideas for making their own podcasts. Have cooperative learning groups create podcasts demonstrating their understanding of any concepts. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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KidLit TV - Julie Gribble
Grades
1 to 6tag(s): authors (100), book lists (151), literacy (102), podcasts (65)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many features of this site to educate parents on literacy and motivate students to enjoy reading. Share podcasts and book trailers on your class website to recommend books your students may enjoy. Use the podcasts as an example, then have cooperative learning groups create podcasts as book talks for books they enjoy. Use a site such as podOmatic, reviewed here, for student podcasts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Stuff You Missed in History Class - Tracy Wilson and Holly Frey
Grades
7 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): archeology (24), black history (112), civil rights (187), civil war (130), cross cultural understanding (149), mental health (31), native americans (86), podcasts (65), religions (71), vikings (10), world war 1 (64), world war 2 (141)
In the Classroom
Use podcasts from Stuff You Missed in History to enrich current lessons or lure students into thinking history can actually be "cool." Provide a link on class computers or your class website for students use. Have students use a mapping tool such as Zeemaps, reviewed here, to create a map of one of these events (with audio stories and pictures included)! Have students use Fakebook.reviewed here, to create a "fake" page similar in style to Facebook about one of the people in these lesser known historic events.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Math Dude: Quick and Dirty Tips - Jason Marshall, PhD
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): measurement (124), operations (74), podcasts (65), problem solving (219)
In the Classroom
Check ahead of time to be sure this site is not blocked at school. If it is blocked, consider subscribing to the blog via iTunes to avoid all the ads. External speakers connected to the computer will help broadcast the sound throughout your classroom. Help students follow along by opening the podcast article (transcript) ad-free using the Readability Test Tool, reviewed here. Project the ad-free article as you play the podcast. Share the link on your class web page or select specific episodes links to offer support for concepts you are studying, such as absolute value or sine/cosine. Extend the concept of The Math Dude by having students write and produce their own math tip podcasts or English tip podcasts to explain the grammar demons that haunt their writing. Use a site such as Spreaker, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Naked Scientists - University of Cambridge
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): experiments (52), genetics (75), oceans (139), podcasts (65), volcanoes (54)
In the Classroom
Use Naked Science to explore topics as an introduction in class. Or use these articles to hook students during a start-of-school "what is science" unit. Use the site to find answers to many of the tough questions that students can pose during classroom instruction. Provide time for students to research the facets of a topic as a group for lively group or class discussions. Discuss the set up of the problems, description of the theories, or how to separate fact from opinion. Research the backgrounds of the experts on this site. Teachers of gifted students and regular classroom teachers seeking ways to adapt for gifted students will find this site well-suited to the eclectic interests and angles of out-of-the-box thinkers. Be sure to share the link on your class web page.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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