Back to the Future: Black History Month Podcast

Goal: To use PODCASTING to communicate understanding of the relationship between the contributions of influential African Americans to our current everyday lives, focusing on the educational setting.

DAY ONE/DAY TWO: Students will research influential historical figures from a variety of areas such as politics, literature, arts, entertainment, government, civil rights, etc.

Students will determine the most influential actions of this person(s).

From this research they will find ways in which the assigned figure's acheivements continue to positively impact some aspect of everyday life, especially within the school setting.

DAY THREE/DAY FOUR: Students will study the school building/brainstorm with others to determine the most innovative location to film a script denoting the historical figure's contribution(s) that affect life today.

For example, a student who researches Langston Hughes, Harlem Renaissance poet, might podcast from the library explaining the impact of Hughes and his work and how this affects literature today. A student who researched Rosa Parks might present from a bus and discuss the progression of equal rights in the educational setting through the present time.

Students will develop a script to use as a guide for creating a podcast based on the specified location/topic.

DAY FIVE/DAY SIX: Students will rehearse and record podcast presentations.

DAY SEVEN/DAY EIGHT/DAY NINE: Students will upload video. Next students will edit content/add sound/add clip art/ graphics/credits/etc.

DAY TEN: Podcasts will be published.

ASSESSMENT: Podcasts will be graded; students will evaluate/peer edit podcasts of others

CLOSURE: Students will discuss positive attributes and areas to be improved. Upon completion, students will collaborate to determine which African American historial figure has made the greatest long-lasting impact.

EXTENSION: Students will have the option to publish podcasts school/district wide.

These Black History Month podcasts will show an understanding of the importance of making a connection between the past and present and will effectively utilize important skills in research, public speaking, and technology.