Summer Fun Podcast Listening and Writing Activities

Looking for after test activities or NO PREP end of year activities for middle school? End the year with mystery picture podcast listening and writing tasks that will prepare your kids for a summer full of fun! This bundle is perfect for any teacher or parent looking for NO-PREP activities that provide education, entertainment, and writing practice all rolled into one!  

They're also perfect for parents who would like to see their children maintain their skills over the summer. It's also a terrific activity for kids to do on an iPad or Chromebook while traveling by car or plane.

The Summer Fun Podcast Bundle includes the following resources:

• Baseball Listen-Learn-Write #16: This podcast activity is fun and teaches kids about baseball history. It tells the fascinating story of Jackie Mitchell, a young woman who made history when she struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in the same game. Your students will also learn about Moe Berg – a lesser-known player who was also secretly working as a spy! Kids will get a kick out of these cool stories from baseball's history.

• Ice Cream Listen-Learn-Write #17: This COOL podcast activity SPRINKLES in lots of SWEET details about the world’s favorite frozen treat! For example, did you know that there was a time that ice cream was flavored with orange blossoms and…whale poop? It's true!

• Video Games Listen-Learn-Write #18: Learn about Ralph Baer and Jerry Lawson, two men who transformed the gaming industry with their innovation and perseverance. Baer, a Jewish refugee who fled Nazi Germany, invented the world's first home video game console. Lawson, a Black computer engineer, expanded on Baer's concept and developed the first ever video game cartridge. These trailblazers set the stage for the video game industry as we know it today.

• Roller Coasters Listen-Learn-Write #19: On this "ride," children will learn from a renowned designer about the secrets of roller coaster design. They will discover how roller coasters come to life from conception to reality, and they will also gain an understanding of the science behind why some people experience dizziness after riding.

The mystery picture and writing activities are great for middle schoolers who need more practice listening for important details. The podcast will be a hit with kids, and they'll be motivated to answer the self-checking multiple-choice questions correctly to uncover the hidden picture.

The writing prompts provide an excellent way for students to use inference skills combined with creativity. They require kids to integrate information from the podcast into their own writing. Whether used in the classroom or at home, this is an excellent tool for helping students improve their listening and writing skills!

HOW WILL I USE THIS RESOURCE?

Each podcast listening and writing activity is quick to prep and implement because all you have to do is give students the links to the podcast audio and the activity. That's it! You can choose to do the hidden picture AND the writing tasks, or you can do just one or the other. Then you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

WHY WILL EACH RESOURCE BE SUPER USEFUL?

1. You can use them as fun middle school end of year activities.
2. Share them as after test activities for middle school students.
3. You might want to leave them with a sub. (They're PERFECT substitute work because they're NOT just busy work!)
4. Use one to introduce a speaking and listening unit or a content-related lesson.
5. Assign them between lessons or units, when you aren't ready to start something new.
6. Share the materials with early finishers.
7. Assign them for homework or as an enrichment activity.
8. Fun Fridays!

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN EACH RESOURCE?

• Suggested classroom Do-Now activity for generating interest.
• Several links to access the podcast. Students can use their own devices or you can play it for the whole class.
• Listening tips for students
• Google Sheets activity with 9 multiple choice questions and a hidden mystery picture
• 1 Google Slides with short response writing prompts
• 1 Google slide that provides students with extension questions to encourage curiosity and research
• Answer key
• An OPTIONAL pdf version

NOTE: The podcast audios are not included; however, I supply you with several links to access them.

WHICH SKILLS ARE COVERED?

Students will practice:

• listening comprehension skills
• inferencing skills
• using digital media
• writing using textual evidence
• writing for a specific task, purpose, and audience

HOW LONG WILL EACH LESSON TAKE?

Part 1: Podcast and Self-Checking Mystery Picture: about 20-30 minutes

Part 2: Writing: This will take another 15-20 minutes or can be a bit longer if you review the answers and have students share the creative writing part.

Bonus Writing Extension: This part enables students to continue learning, and can take 10-20 minutes.

❤️ WHY YOU'LL LOVE THESE SUMMER FUN PODCAST ACTIVITIES❤️

♡ They're Easy to Use!

All you have to do is assign the tasks you want kids to do. Everything is self-directed! Students will learn while working independently. It's a great activity to leave with a sub!

♡ They Provide Valuable Skill Practice

Students must learn to listen actively, recall information, make inferences, and provide evidence. This resource provides that valuable practice in a unique and imaginative way.  

♡ They're Fun and Engaging!

Each podcast is engaging and perfectly appropriate for middle school. Students will love learning and they'll love trying to uncover the self-checking mystery picture! They’ll also have a blast with the fun creative writing task!

Thanks for checking out Listen, Learn, Write activities! Be sure to look at the preview to see everything that's included!

Wishing you lots of SUMMER FUN!

Darlene Anne