podcasts & AudioBooks

podcasts

Use podcasts to motivate students and address education requirements set by the Common Core state standards. Improving students’ listening skills is one of the essential components of the education mandates, and using audio in the classroom can be an effective way to promote listening.

general podcasts for education

Currently reaching across more than 410,000 podcasts and 24 million episodes, Listen Notes is searchable by people, places, and topics.

Thousands of three to six minute stories for grades 5 to 12.

(Teachers should sign up for free for access.)

Classic.

The most incredible kid-friendly news stories of the week.

science podcasts

Brains On! teaches a different science lesson in every episode.

Science History Institute

Science is brought to life through creative stories.

history podcasts

Professor Bob Packett explains history in a deep and compelling manner.

The history of Philosophy with a snappy sense of humor.

Featuring comedic actors performing little-known stories from history is a playful manner.

Dr. Floyd to the list. Kids will become obsessed learning how he plans to fend off his nemesis, Dr. Steve, while learning about history in the process.

A chronological retelling of the history of Britain with a particular focus upon the lives of the people.

Topics like chivalry, the Black Death, and the Age of Discovery through characters that mimic the experience of people living through the Middle Ages.

Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, narrates 100 programmes that retell humanity's history through the objects we have made.

A show that follows revolutions from throughout history.

language arts podcasts

Classic Poetry Aloud

Book Club for Kids!- a 20-minute podcast devoted to middle-grade books and readers. Each show features students discussing a favorite book, an interview with the author, and a celebrity reading.

PODCASTS FOR Elementary STUDENTS

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English/Language Arts

GZM Classroom is a site that houses numerous student podcasts for grades 3 and up. The podcasts are primarily fictional storytelling, and some come with a plethora of teaching resources. Check it out and see if there is one that is right for your class!

“Little Stories for Tiny People is a children's podcast featuring original audio stories that will delight the tiny people in your life. Each story is lovingly written and performed with attention to the whimsical senses of humor children often possess.”

Julie’s Library-Julie Andrews reads two children’s books in each podcast episode. Each story comes alive with sound, music, and activities.

Circle Round-Adapts folktales from around the world into radio plays for kids ages 3 and up. Explores themes like friendship, persistence, creativity and generosity.

Provides a page for students to color while listening.

WACKY WoRdPLay Wednesday is a podcast by Buttons & Figs that provide students with wordplay challenges. Includes visual activities to project on your Promethean board or TV. It’s a fun way to work with words!

Science

The Show About Science is a student-created podcast about all things science! “Nate has filled each episode with fascinating information from scientists and educators from around the globe. If you’re curious about science, this is the show for you!”

Earth Rangers- “If you think animals are amazing, this is the podcast for you! Join host Earth Ranger Emma as she travels the world to discover the wildest animal facts out there and solve nature’s biggest mysteries.”

Wow in the World- “Join hosts Guy Raz and Mindy Thomas on a journey away from your screens, inside your brain, out into space, and deep into the coolest new stories in science, technology, and innovation.”

Social Studies/History

KidNuz is a newscast for elementary students that highlights “today’s top stories and current events, all nonpartisan and age appropriate.”

SHORT & CURLY is a “fast-paced fun-filled ethics podcast for kids and their parents, with questions and ideas to really get you thinking. It asks curly questions about animals, technology, school, pop culture and the future.”

What Will She Do Next? is “musical podcast focused on key, decision-making moments in the lives of history's greatest women.” The podcast would be a great resource for Women’s History Month in March.

Miscellaneous

But Why is a podcast where kids submit questions about our interesting world, and the creators find the answers.

“Serious answers to silly questions.”

The Big Fib- “The hilarious game show where kids have to figure out who’s an expert, and who’s a liar, liar, pants on fire.”

Elementary Audio Books