5 Creative Ways to Use Podcasts in the Classroom

Podcasts are a fantastic, versatile resource that can engage students in learning beyond traditional textbooks or videos. They offer an easy, low-prep way to bring expert voices, diverse perspectives, and creative storytelling into the classroom. Here are five ways to bring podcasts to life in your classroom — along with some recommended shows to get you started!

1. Create a Calming Corner with Podcasts

For students who need a quick break, consider setting up a “calming corner” with a pair of headphones and some short, calming podcasts. It’s a great way to help them refocus, learn self-regulation, and pick up interesting facts in a low-stress way. Encourage students to use this space when they feel overwhelmed or need a few quiet minutes.

Podcast Suggestions:

➧  Peace Out: Guided mindfulness and relaxation stories for kids.
➧  But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids: Answers fun questions from kids, like "Why is the sky blue?" or "How do fish breathe?"
➧  Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls: Short stories about inspiring women in history, perfect for boosting self-confidence and mindfulness.

2. Use Podcasts as Listening Stations to Explore New Topics

Bring your curriculum to life by introducing students to podcasts related to your current topic of study. Students can complete a simple doodle review as they listen! This works especially well with social studies, history, or science units. 

Simply set up a listening station where students can explore a podcast episode that aligns with what they're learning, like ancient civilizations, space exploration, or famous historical figures.

Podcast Suggestions:

➧  Brains On!: A science podcast for kids that covers diverse topics, like volcanoes, plants, and sound waves.
➧  Wow in the World: A science and curiosity-driven podcast that dives into everything from dinosaurs to DNA.

3. Develop Critical Listening & Analysis Skills with Podcasts

Podcasts are an excellent tool for helping students improve their listening and analysis skills. Start by having them listen to an episode, take notes on main ideas, and identify key vocabulary. Then, they can use my Podcast Review Guide & Doodle One-Pager to summarize, analyze, and review what they’ve learned in a fun, visually engaging format. 

This activity can boost comprehension and teach students to evaluate sources, tone, and style — essential skills for media literacy.

Podcast Suggestions:

➧  Circle Round: Folktales from around the world, great for analyzing storytelling techniques.

➧  The Past & The Curious: Fun, quirky stories from history that make critical listening fun.

➧  Short & Curly: An ethics podcast that introduces kids to complex questions, like "Is it okay to keep secrets?" — perfect for sparking classroom discussions.

4. Prepare an Emergency Substitute Plan with Podcasts

Podcasts can be a lifesaver on days when you’re out unexpectedly. Leave a podcast episode with some guiding questions or a simple listening response sheet. Students can engage independently, and substitutes can easily manage this quiet activity without needing extensive background knowledge. Plus, students still get to practice listening skills and expand their knowledge on relevant topics.

Podcast Suggestions:

➧  Smash Boom Best: A debate podcast where two topics go head-to-head (like "Cats vs. Dogs"), sparking interest and independent thinking.
➧  Greeking Out: Stories of Greek mythology and adventures that keep students engaged and entertained.

5. Build Social Skills and Teamwork with Podcast Pair & Share

After listening to a podcast episode individually, have students pair up to discuss what they learned. This approach encourages them to share insights, summarize content, and compare perspectives, building social skills and comprehension. You can also expand this into a small group discussion or use it as a warm-up for a larger classroom conversation.

Podcast Suggestions:

➧  Forever Ago: A history podcast for kids that covers the history of everyday objects like sandwiches and video games.
➧  Mystery Recipe: A fun podcast that explores cooking, science, and culture, giving students plenty of fun facts to discuss.
➧  Story Seeds: A podcast where kids share story ideas and authors bring them to life, great for sparking creativity and storytelling discussions.

Podcasts offer an engaging and flexible way to incorporate audio learning into the classroom. They can foster skills like critical listening, independent thinking, and empathy, all while exposing students to different cultures, historical perspectives, and current events. Whether used as a calming tool or a creative analysis activity, podcasts make learning dynamic and accessible for students of all ages!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mary Beth

P.S. Make using podcasts in the classroom easy with this ready-to-go resource! It includes guided notes about podcasts, a detailed listening guide for students to complete, and a super engaging doodle review page. Check it out here!