The students used their Earth-Moon-Sun models (previous assignment) to explain the phases of the moon. The students worked cooperatively in groups of 3-4, wrote and recorded podcast scripts, and created/edited podcasts using Movie Maker. Students were given a podcast rubric to use when they collaboratively wrote their scripts. They used the iPods with Belkin recording devices to record their podcast scripts. They manipulated their models to demonstrate each phase of the moon and photographed their model in each phase. In the computer lab, the students used a task list to create/edit their podcasts using Movie Maker, their photgraphs, and voice recordings. Since each group essentially created similar podcasts with the same basic information, we have asked the third grade students, teachers, and school principal to vote on the most informative and creative podcast. The winning podcast will be posted to our podcasting site.

During Curriculum Night on February 5th, the students showcased their animal adaptation podcasts and moon phase podcasts to their parents/guardians.  The students were very excited to use the iHome docking stations to listen to the iPods.  I loaded the iPods with their “final” animal adaptation podcasts and their “working” moon phase podcasts.  The parents were amazed and learned information through their children’s work.  I had one parent bring me her iPod that night and asked me to download her child’s animal adaptation podcast to her iPod.  How exciting!!!  Of course, I whipped out the labtop and did it for her right then.  The excitement for podcasting is growing…throughout our school and even at home!