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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Short History Of... - Paul McGann and John Hopkins
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): africa (142), american revolution (80), artists (83), authors (105), churchill (8), colonial america (93), colonization (20), d day (11), dickens (10), dinosaurs (42), disasters (37), diseases (68), england (52), explorers (65), great depression (29), greece (28), india (27), industrial revolution (22), korea (21), lincoln (66), listening (93), martin luther king (45), native americans (96), olympics (41), pearl harbor (14), podcasts (104), presidents (136), pyramids (17), renaissance (38), rome (22), roosevelt (14), rosa parks (9), russia (35), shakespeare (99), st patricks day (12), underground railroad (15), vietnam (38), westward expansion (39), womens suffrage (50), world war 2 (160), wright brothers (16)
In the Classroom
Add this podcast to supplement your current list of history resources. Organize and share resources with students using Wakelet, reviewed here or Padlet, reviewed here. Wakelet and Padlet offer tools that make it easy for students to collaborate and share information. Enhance learning by sharing a podcast as an introduction to a new unit and asking students to discuss what they learn. Consider using Project Zero's Thinking Routine Toolbox, Padlet, reviewed here to encourage student understanding and develop critical thinking skills. For example, the Step-in, Step-out, And step-back routine can help students view people and events from different perspectives. Extend student learning by asking them to develop a script and share a podcast as a final assessment of your unit using a free tool such as Buzzsprout, reviewed here or Spotify for Podcastors, reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Solve It!- For Kids - Chloe K. Williams
Grades
3 to 6tag(s): critical thinking (120), listening (93), podcasts (104), problem solving (225), STEM (287)
In the Classroom
Have students keep a "Science Detective Journal" where they write down the problem, clues, and how the characters solved the mystery. Pick a scientific concept discussed in an episode and have students conduct a simple experiment related to it. Have students research a real-world scientific mystery and create presentations or reports using Genially, reviewed here on their chosen topic. In small groups, have students write and act out their own science mystery.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Molly of Denali Podcast - GZM Shows
Grades
3 to 6tag(s): alaska (21), environment (246), listening (93), podcasts (104), stories and storytelling (52)
In the Classroom
In groups, students can create their podcast episode using a resource such as Buzzsprout, reviewed here. Have students create a character profile for Molly and her friends. Students can make a video presentation using a resource such as Canva, reviewed here comparing and contrasting the traditions, values, and challenges of that culture's with those depicted in the podcast.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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What if World Podcast - Eric O'Keeffe and Karen Marshall O'Keefe
Grades
2 to 5tag(s): listening (93), podcasts (104), questioning (35), social and emotional learning (98)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site to find entertaining and informative podcasts for elementary students. To reinforce listening skills, include a podcast as part of a listening center. Use Diffit, reviewed here to create comprehension questions and learning activities using the transcript of any episode to enhance understanding. Diffit's free activities change monthly; after creating an account and comprehension questions, look for materials that state they are free this month. Use Diffit's what-if format as a model for students to begin creative writing projects. Use the what-if generator to create questions, then ask students to write a story with their answers. Share students' stories by creating digital books using Book Creator, reviewed here, including drawings, video recordings, and images.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Smash Boom Podcast - American Public Media
Grades
3 to 5tag(s): debate (42), listening (93), persuasive writing (58), podcasts (104), speech (68)
In the Classroom
In the classroom, you can engage students in critical thinking by using episodes as a starting point for debates, encouraging them to form teams and defend their positions using facts and persuasive arguments. Enhance learning by integrating tech tools like Padlet, reviewed here for students to post arguments and gather feedback. Extend learning beyond the classroom by assigning episodes as homework and encouraging students to discuss the debates with their caregivers, friends, and community. Students can present their debates at family gatherings or community events, fostering a broader dialogue and involving others in their learning process.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Noodle Loaf - Dan Saks
Grades
K to 4This site includes advertising.
tag(s): listening (93), podcasts (104), preK (265), rhythm (21), social and emotional learning (98)
In the Classroom
Include this podcast with others for use at listening centers as an engaging way to develop listening and comprehension skills. Find many other suggestions for podcasts at TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Educational Podcasts for Students, reviewed here. Ask students to share their favorite podcasts; after reviewing their suggestions, use a curation tool such as 3x3 Links, reviewed here to share ideas on classroom computers and with parents on your class website.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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GZM Shows - GZM Shows
Grades
K to 8tag(s): 1800s (75), adolescence (12), ecosystems (79), franklin (12), mayans (13), mysteries (20), podcasts (104), sports (81)
In the Classroom
Include the podcasts on this site among your other podcast resources to share with students. Use podcasts in your classroom for many purposes, including as a resource to enhance curriculum topics, teach listening skills, and increase vocabulary and comprehension. Learn more about using podcasts in the classroom by watching archived recordings of OK2Ask: Podcasting 101: Using Podcasts in the Classroom, reviewed here and OK2Ask: Podcasting 201: Creating Podcasts in Your Classroom, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Big Fib Podcast - Benjamin Strouse, Chris Tarry & David Kreizman
Grades
K to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): game based learning (183), media literacy (108), podcasts (104)
In the Classroom
Share this podcast as a flipped learning experience or include it as part of a listening center during station rotation activities on evaluating information shared by different sources. Take advantage of free teaching materials such as the Listening Guide to provide students with focus while listening and as a resource for documenting their evaluation process. After listening to and evaluating several episodes of the podcast, encourage students to write and produce a podcast in a similar style. After creating storyboards and writing their script, use a podcast creation tool such as Castbox Creator Studio, reviewed here to record and share your podcasts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Tumble Podcast - Lindsay Patterson and Marshall Escamilla
Grades
K to 8tag(s): animals (295), bacteria (22), birds (46), dinosaurs (42), insects (68), listening (93), molecules (43), oceans (148), planets (111), plants (149), podcasts (104), stars (70), sun (71)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site to find informative podcasts. Podcasts can be an engaging way to promote interest in science topics as part of a listening center rotation or to enhance your current lessons. Enhance learning by downloading the transcript and creating a set of questions using an AI resource such as MagicSchool, reviewed here. Visit MagicSchool, select the Text Dependent Questions generator, add the requested information, and upload the PDF transcript to generate a set of comprehension questions based on the information in the podcast. Extend learning by asking students to create an infographic using free templates found in Adobe Infographic Creator, reviewed here or Canva Education Templates, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Treasure Island 2020 - Gen Z Media - Gen Z Media - Lucky Gold-Writer
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): digital storytelling (154), literacy (118), plot (14), podcasts (104)
In the Classroom
Treasure Island 2020 provides an excellent opportunity for classroom integration by comparing it to the original "Treasure Island" story. Teachers can engage students by discussing similarities and differences between the two versions, encouraging critical thinking and literary analysis. Additionally, educators can use the podcast to support understanding narrative elements such as character development and plot progression, deepening students' appreciation for storytelling structures! By extending learning through activities like creative writing assignments or dramatic retellings, students can explore themes of adventure, friendship, and discovery in both versions of the tale.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Overheard at National Geographic - National Geographic Partners, LLC
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): africa (142), animals (295), anne frank (10), china (74), explorers (65), native americans (96), oceans (148), photography (119), podcasts (104)
In the Classroom
Incorporate relevant podcasts into classroom lessons to enhance learning and engage student interest. For example, have students listen to the podcast of how Anne Frank's Diary survived when reading the Diary of Anne Frank or learning about the holocaust or include A Skeptic's Guide to Loving Bats during your studies of animals. Visit the archive of OK2Ask: Podcasting 101: Using Podcasts in the Classroom, reviewed here to learn more about using podcasts to improve students' listening comprehension, build academic vocabulary, and strengthen literacy skills.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Coffee Break Languages - Radio Lingua Ltd
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): chinese (44), cultures (163), french (75), german (47), italian (29), multilingual (70), podcasts (104), portuguese (22), spanish (108)
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.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Ask Dr. Universe - Washington State University
Grades
K to 8tag(s): animals (295), cells (83), nutrition (135), planets (111), plants (149), podcasts (104), space (215), STEM (287)
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 presentations using Google Slides, 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 12tag(s): ethics (21), gifted (66), podcasts (104), video (263)
In 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 (21), native americans (96), podcasts (104)
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 Gez.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 (105), book lists (165), book reports (28), literature (219), podcasts (104)
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 (109), biographies (94), black history (130), cultures (163), podcasts (104), poetry (194)
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 (77), diversity (38), folktales (34), podcasts (104), stories and storytelling (52)
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 Gravity, 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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