Welcome to The Thistlers Podcast Series

Sixth grade students at Wilson are creating podcasts based on their inquiry into the reading experiences of fellow students and adults at school.  Using interviews and audio editing software, the students are engaging in collaborative writing, editing and production for real audiences. 
 
According to fifth grade teacher and language arts specialist, Laurie Finkenkeller, “Creating a podcast gives students a chance to be creative, to work collaboratively on real-world writing, and to share their thoughts through an authentic product.” This project was inspired by Yong Zhao’s book, World Class Learners: Educating Creative and Entrepreneurial Students and was made possible by the fifth grade and language arts specialist team, Laurie Finkenkeller and Rachel Dixon, along with technology coordinator, Melika Panneri.

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Episode 1

Topic of the Month: Read Alouds

Enjoy listening to our first episode featuring Matt, Sophia, and Hallie discussing read alouds.

Episode 4

Topic of the Month: Favorite Reads

Student hosts, Jack, Zoe and Sebastian interview guests about their favorite authors.

Episode 2

Topic of the Month: Non-fiction

Student host, Katie, dives into the interesting depths of non-fiction by interviewing friends, Carter and Mr. Jerry.

Episode 5

Topic of the Month: Favorite Book Series

The student hosts discuss when main characters appear in every book, and undergo a series of changes that will determine and shape their identity.

Episode 3

Topic of the Month: Recommended Winter Break Reads

Student hosts talk to several people about what books they would recommend reading on the two week break.

Episode 6

  Topic of the Month: Recommended Spring Break Reads

We asked our guests what they like to read over the break, what others might like to read and where they enjoy reading.