Space Real Estate Agents?
A Teacher's Heart Smiles when...
A teacher’s heart smiles when students become creative, enthusiastic and take ownership of their work. This was the case with the 4th grade class at my school. Their classroom teacher asked me to introduce podcasts to her class, she and her students took it from there and RAN… with it…
I came to their classroom to let them listen to various examples of class-podcasts and talk to them about creating a collaborative storyline, that would tie individual audio segments together. I also talked to them about the importance of voice acting in order to engage their audience.
Here are some sample podcasts they listened to:
Students started to get excited as we were brainstorming scenarios for their storyline.
Brainstorming on the SmartBoard
We took a screenshot of the final list and uploaded the image to their classroom blog. Students were then asked to write a short paragraph on the blog detailing their storyline. The class was going to vote for the best storyline to be used for their podcast.
Screenshot of Possible Storylines
From their classroom blogs:
Sabrina M.
I think the plot should be where we go the Kennedy Space Center and Hannah accidentally pushes the button that launches the rocket so we go to all the different planets and then an evil alien says that we cannot go back to Earth unless we can name four facts about every planet. And that’s when we say all our facts.
Josh Z.
Plot: We go into space accidentally and we get a tour of space. After the tour a black hole suddenly says †take a quiz of the solar system if you get any questions wrong the sun will disappear †and we take the quiz and the sun doesn’t disappear.
Reesa Z.
We should do something where we all were asleep and we had a dream about and alien taking us to the solar system and then he/she would give us a tour about the planets. Then we will talk about our planets. After that we all wake up and realize it was just a dream.
Ryan H.
Real estate agents: Aliens from many galaxies away want to sell, The sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, asteroid belt, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto are on the market from alien Real estate agents. The aliens want you to know 4 facts about each planet in order to buy them. If you dont get all 4 facts for your planet by Friday Earth will be destroyed.
Hanna G.
I think the storyline should be: One night all of the classmates dreamed of aliens coming out of the blackhole and they came to capture us. Then the next day we came to school and we went to the Kennedy Space Center and clumsy Hannah accidentally launched the rocket and then it fell so we had to go back to the class and when we got back the class turned into the solar system. In the solar system we learn about all the planets. When we were done we went to the alien real estate agents to get us back home.
Allie I.
Everybody in the class goes home and goes to bed. They all have the same dream. In their dream, they dream about space and learn about space. When they go to school the next morning, they all figure out they had the same dream and talk about what the dream was in class.
Edyn G.
I think that we should be staying at a hotel and there is not enough beds so we pull out a pull out bed and while every one is asleep it turns into a rocket ship and takes us into space and then it turns into a bus and we tour space and then it turns into a rocket ship and gos back to the hotel.
Montgomery P.
I think the plot should be: We go outside for recess, and Daniel tells everyone to come look at what he found. He found twenty jet packs. So we all take a field trip to all the planets and the moon and sun. So when we get back we put the jet packs back where we found them.
Rachel O.
Our classroom turns into the space shuttle because by accident Josh tripped over a binder and pressed the button and no one knew what it did until they all saw the stars and planets.After they see all the stars and planets the class wants to go and take a look around at them all.Mrs.Raitt says “Ok let’s go!â€.We all are looking at the planets and then we go back to school.
Shira D.
I would like to do a news cast where on the news they announce that aliens have captured people and they take then around the solar system and that is my idea!
We booked time in the computer lab to allow students to “play” with Garageband and learn about tracks, background music, splitting, editing and moving tracks.
The classroom teacher created a list of planet facts that each group had to include in their segment and students started to write their script.
Items to be included in script
Once each group finished and exported their segment, we imported these files into a new Garageband project and arranged the segments in order.
Putting Podcast Together
Take a “listen” to these 4th graders “Space Real Estate Agents” podcast. Honor their efforts as
- storytellers
- collaborative team members
- creative writers
- producers
- directors
- audio editors
- podcasters
Leave them a comment, including your location, so they can track their listeners on a Map.
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View MJGDS-4th Grade Space Podcast Audience in a larger map
great job you guys, great story, an excellent podcast. You have inspired me to think how i might do something similar with my year 7 pupils.
Mr Pratt Bedford England
Hello Fourth Graders,
I enjoyed listening to your podcast so much! The sound effects were awesome. It made it really interesting to listen to! And your voices were great fun! I learned a lot about the solar system as you gave your tour.
Logging in from Newton, MA, USA, Earth
I loved listening to your very polished podcasts. What rich stories you created by working together! The way you presented your facts made it interesting to learn about the solar system.
North Vancouver, BC, Canada
What a creative idea for a podcast! I loved the blend of sound effects and that everyone came together to make this story possible. I found it highly entertaining and educational at the same time. This podcast is sure to inspire other students (and teachers!) to podcast. Excellent work!
.-= Bernadette Rego´s last blog .."Twitter for Teachers – A Professional Development Tool" =-.
Hello Fourth Graders,
Where can I find 100,000 space dollars? I want to buy Earth.
Super job putting together your podcast. It sounds so professional.
I can tell you learned a lot about the solar system. There were tons of facts in your podcast, but it was so fun to listen to. I plan to play this for my students next week.
I like the way you worked collaboratively. I can tell you put in lots of time planning you podcasts.
I love the jazzy music for Saturn presentation. Great job with the different voices throughout the presentations and the sound effects.
Keep up the great work!
Mrs. George, Livingston Park Elementary School, Computer Teacher
North Brunswick, NJ, USA, Earth
Awesome job guys! I am gonna play this for my teacher as soon as we get back to school next week!
Steven W. Anderson- Winston-Salem, NC
.-= Steven W. Anderson´s last blog ..Beautifully and Simply Explaining Technology =-.
Brilliant!
Hawkinge
England
Great story, loved the added sounds.
Bethlehem. PA
This is great! Greetings from the aliens on the Isle of Wight, England!
This is such an entertaining way to share the information you have discovered. You really made the presentation interesting and educational for other learners. Keep up the fantastic work!
Emily Starr, CEO StarrMatica.com, Clinton, Iowa
Wow, these ideas are very creative! What an awesome class this is, keep on learning!
Fort st. John, bc, Canada
This is fantastic! Great job! I want to share this with my class as they are learning about the solar system right now in Science. I especially like the vocal and sound effects used. Very entertaining!!
Hi there! I am a teacher on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. I am so impressed with how you all worked collaboratively on this project. It was so neat to see the process you used to arrive at your end result! Thank you for sharing this with everyone! I know it will inspire other teachers like me to try projects like these with their classes.
Loved your podcast!! Very creative! Thanks for sharing. I am a teacher in Sag Harbor, NY. Our third graders are learning about the solar system. One class used Keynote to make some very interesting presentations.
Awesome job! Love all the different sound effects and music. Such an entertaining way to present solar system facts.
From Alexandria VA USA
Hello G4 students, You did a great job with the podcast. Everyone spoke very clearly and I liked the sound effects you added. I definitely want to do something similar with our students here in Switzerland next school year.
Maggie Hos-McGrane in Zug, Switzerland
.-= Maggie Hos-McGrane´s last blog ..Forecasting the Future =-.
I like what you have done. I was unable to listen on my iPhone. Have u submitted these podcasts to iTunes? If not then I think you should. Great work. I will use a computer and listen to the podcasts.
Dear Fourth Graders,
Fantastic podcast! I love the idea of learning about planets from the point of view of a real estate agent! Very clever idea!
I liked the storyline, the sound effects, and the alien voices the students created.
Looking forward to your next project!
Your friend,
Mrs. Yollis
California
.-= Mrs. Yollis´s last blog ..20,000+ Visitors! =-.
Nice work fourth graders! I love how you showed teamwork and respect for each others ideas!
Mrs. Laskiewicz
Music Teacher
Millstone, NJ
I enjoyed your podcast involving facts about the solar system.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Dear 4th graders, I loved your podcast, and I loved reading all your blog storylines, they were great! Looks like you really enjoyed this planet podcast, I am very proud of you!
I love the creative voices of the Space Real Estate Agents, as well as the appropriate sound effects. Fun way to share your knowledge. Great job with collaboration for an overall fabulous podcast! I hope to work with some classes to create a similar podcast next year.
.-= Tammy Morris´s last blog ..The Habitable Planet =-.
Hello Space Real Estate Agents from Ripley, Tennessee.
Fabulous Job! I haven’t ever done a podcast in my class, but you have inspired me to try one!
Ms. Pohanka
Fredericksburg, VA
Great job with the podcasts! You kept the story moving with engaging sound effects and by changing speakers which peaks the listener’s interest. I liked the multiple languages too. Keep up the good work and remember that you can do podcasts with all of your classes because you have the skills and expertise now. Take the challenge to teach three other students next year so they will know how to make podcasts too. Have a great summer!
Love your expression! Great use of sound effects. I’ll have to get busy and teach my Grade 1′s how to do this.
Mrs. Nessman
Vancouver Island, BC Canada
.-= Elaine Nessman´s last blog ..Observing and Comparing Seeds =-.
[...] Space Real Estate Agents? [...]
Great job folks!
I’m thinking the Sun isn’t too bad of a deal after listening to this podcast!
John Evans
St. Francois Xavier, Manitoba Canada
.-= John Evans´s last blog ..John Evans edited Wallwisher =-.
As I come from a tropical country I’d love to buy Venus and get a naturally dark tan. Loved your podcasts, the sound effects and the enthusiasm you’ve added to your voices. GOOD JOB!
Ana Maria Menezes РUberl̢ndia , Brazil
.-= anamaria´s last blog ..Using Technology Well: David Deubeldeiss interviews Ana Maria =-.
Thanks for sharing the podcast. The idea was very creative and you carried through your theme by using the voices and sound effects. Some of you may actually get to be real estate agents for places we haven’t even thought about. I also enjoyed reading about the process you used to plan for your podcast. It sound like your planning and collaboration on this project really helped to make your podcast entertaining and informative.
.-= Connie Sitterley´s last blog ..Welcome to 4everLearner.com =-.
Hi 4th graders,
Loved your podcast. Very entertaining and informative. Your sound effects were great and your voices very clear and easily understood. Keep up the wonderful work. I will play it for my students in Sydney, Australia.
.-= Cathy Edwards´s last blog ..Woices – World Voices =-.
Hi 4th graders,
Loved your podcast. Very entertaining and informative. Your sound effects were great and your voices very clear and easily understood. Keep up the wonderful work. I will play it for my students in Sydney, Australia.
You did a great job planning your podcast. The recordings are very clear and easy to understand. Garageband is a fun program that makes podcasting easy. I’m glad you shared your work.
Mrs. Oro
K-8 Computer Teacher
Roselle Park, NJ
Hi there.
What a cool podcast. You gusy rock. keep up the great, inspiring work..
Cristina
Manchester, UK
What a hoot! Can I join in? This sounds like so much (too much) fun. Why not post fictitious real estate listings on these planets on a Powerpoint presentation and post to slideshare .. then we could “bid” on them. Saturn sounds like a “fav” of mine .. but too much pressure to get those questions right.
Jim
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
.-= Jim Buckingham´s last blog ..What is a community of practice anyway? =-.
That was a quick trip back to earth from Pluto! Must have been faster than light years… Takes me five hours to fly to the Big Island of Hawaii from California… so your class was going much faster than I’ve ever flown. Keep movin’ fast like that!!
.-= Fran Engel´s last blog ..Outside Language =-.
Well done!! I’m also taking this back to share with students and teachers. We just moved our study of the solar system to 3rd grade. Teachers were looking for something to jazz it up – you will inspire them with your work!! Impressed in Minnesota
Dear students and teacher Silvia,
What a fantastic and creative project! So much planning and work involved by you all! And so many interesting things to learn in such a great way, through your voices!
I also love the sound effects that you inserted. I can really imagine that I’m in space.
The website link I included has Web-based lessons that my 5th and 6th graders (1st and 2nd year learners of English) carried out. Hope you enjoy them. My students loved them! And so did I! And we won a European Union very special prize.
Kudos to you all! And to your teacher!
Keep up the great work!!!
Hugs, Teresa (Parede, Portugal; it’s in the suburbs of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal)
What a great story! I love the sound effects. I expected a story, but I was surprised at all the science you included.
My favorite stories teach me something I didn’t already know. (Saturn has 31 moons.) This is one of my favorite stories this year.
Great job!
I am dodging asteroids in North Andover, MA. Thank you for sharing your talents with the world.
.-= Tammi Kibler´s last blog ..Free Mind Mapping Software Online =-.
Hi there!
I am a teacher in New Zealand and I have just shared your great space real estate agents podcast with my year 3 class – they think it is FANTASTIC! We are especially impressed with how you have worked collaboratively and your great voice acting – well done to you all – we look forward to sharing more of your work in the future!
Room 10 – St. Francis Xavier School – Whangarei – New Zealand
This was a great balance of creative story and facts. You can tell a lot of planning was put into it. The voices and sound effects were great as well. Keep it up
From Roswell, GA
Dear 4th Graders,
We learned some new things about the planets from you! You did a good job on your podcast. We really liked all the sound effects you put in the podcast.
Well done!
Mrs Soltau-Heller’s Gr 1/2 Class
Port Hardy, BC, Canada
.-= Mrs Soltau-Heller’s Gr 1/2 Class´s last blog ..We wrote stories! =-.
Great post.
I played the post for my kids, and they couldn’t believe that students their own age created it. We are now going to attempt to create our own cast. Thanks, look forward to other great posts.
Brightbank Academy
Stony Plain, AB, Canada
.-= Mr. Ram´s last blog ..Distinguishing Hugs =-.
I liked your plot design, information and sound effects. It is obvious that you all worked very hard on this project.
Anne Beninghof
Broomfield, Colorado
Well done 4th graders! You are wonderful storytellers – and now famous around the world! We do lots of podcasting here at International School Bangkok too, and we love it! Have fun and keep sharing your stories!
Kim Cofino
International School Bangkok
Thailand
.-= Kim Cofino´s last blog ..The Way of The Workshop =-.
Great Job Fourth Graders!
You did a fantastic job of combining the facts, story lines and music and sound effects! I bet you have inspired a lot of kids, teachers and librarians to try this. I’m a library technology student who will be posting it on my class’s discussion group for the whole class to listen to. Again – Fantastic! Out of this World!
Liz the Library Geek
Realized I forgot to tell you I’m from Juneau, Alaska!
.-= Tammy Morris´s last blog ..Good for them! =-.
Great job everyone. You obviously worked hard on writing the script and sequencing. You’ve chosen very effective sound effects and I love the way you’ve used different voices for the characters. It makes your story so much more engaging and entertaining. The idea for your plot is very creative – i’d never have thought of real estate agents in space.
We’ve recently installed some imacs and I think we should have a go st podcasting in my Year 6/7 class. Thanks so much for sharing.
Pam (Adelaide, South Australia)
.-= Pam Thompson´s last blog ..Minton Farm =-.
Greetings from Mobile, AL, USA. Great job on the podcast, guys! Just reading about some of the ideas that you guys are coming up with gives me great hope and joy about our future.
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