Dolly Parton's America Podcast Unit Plan : Podcast Lesson Plans for High School

When I first heard the Dolly Parton's America podcast, I knew it was special. Since its release, it's won a Peabody award, topped the podcast charts, and captivated listeners from all over the world. As an advocate for using podcasts in the classroom, I knew this literary production would make a fabulous unit for the ELA classroom.

If you have never listened to Dolly Parton's America, please do so BEFORE considering this podcast unit for your classroom. There are some mature topics best suited for a mature audience. However, you can also skip sections or episodes and still get quality podcast lesson plans.

For those who have already listened and want to be inspired to use this podcast as a teaching tool, then read on!

The overall theme and direction for this unit is "BIG world, small Dolly," and it will help lend a world lens to uniquely American issues.

You will get:

⭐ A Dolly Parton's America teaching guide with detailed notes for each day of the unit

⭐Introduction stations

⭐ Introduction activity that introduces microcosm

⭐ Episode 1 activity that addresses narrative standards
⭐ Episode 1 part 2 activity that words on author's purpose

⭐Episode 2 activity that has students analyze art as they would literature

⭐Episode 3 activity with pastoral poetry lesson, comparison, and debate using diverse poets
⭐ Episode 3 part 2 etymology lesson and creative activity using the word nostalgia

⭐Episode 4 activity that teaches students to analyze a podcast as they would a book
⭐ Episode 5 activity that prompts a debate
⭐ Episode 6 activity that teaches and applies critical lenses
⭐ Episode 7 activity that digs into culture and text to self
⭐ Episode 8 activity on rhetoric
⭐ Episode 9 activity to rate, review, and reflect on the podcast as a whole
⭐ A post podcast project list that inspires students to take what they got out of the podcast and apply it to their own lives.
⭐ A final test with 35 multiple choice questions

✅Everything is editable to fit your needs
✅ Everything is digital ready for virtual teaching
✅ Answer keys included