Bookcasts: Podcasts that Demonstrate Reading Comprehension

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When you talk to a 10-year-old about a book, the child will most often give you a rundown that includes a string of "And then...and then...and then..." How can you help students pick out the important parts of a story?

At the beginning of the year, I help students talk about books in terms of who is doing what, where, when, why, and how. It begins with students listing  the "5Ws and H". Students then turn the lists into sentences and paragraphs.

Start with picture books so that all students feel successful right away. Many picture books have complex plots - most 10-year-olds can be challenged to find the deeper themes behind stories. For example, you might say "I know Pink and Say is about a young Glory Roader helping a fellow Union soldier who is wounded. But what is the story really about?"

Students demonstrate understanding through the creation of a podcast that I call a "Bookcast." Examples of bookcasts are posted on my class blog. Note that podcast quality increases throughout the year as we evaluate the use of sound layers.

Similar podcasts can be finished in three 45-minute class sessions. Objectives are as follows: