Podcast

Each student writes, records, edits, and publishes a short podcast episode on a topic they choose. It pulls together loops (Arranging Loops), microphones (Recording Setup), and editing in Soundtrap. Terms are on Podcast Vocabulary.

Schedule

Project Day 1: Brainstorm

Warmup: think of a podcast, channel, or creator you keep coming back to. What is it about, why do you keep listening, and what makes the host good at it?

Then brainstorm. For at least four categories, write a possible episode title and one or two sentences in a Word document named Podcast Brainstorm. No final decision yet.

Pick something you could talk about for three minutes. School-appropriate.

Two intros

Narrow to your two best ideas and write a podcast intro for each, 4–6 sentences, about 20–30 seconds read aloud. Every intro includes all five:

1. A hook — a bold opinion, a surprising fact, or a question.
2. Your name.
3. The podcast name — make one up.
4. The topic.
5. A preview — why keep listening.

“Did you know there are over 100 elements on the periodic table, but most people can only name about ten? What’s up everybody, my name is Jordan and welcome to Brainwave — the podcast where we break down the stuff you learn in school and make it actually interesting. Today I’m talking about my favorite element: titanium. We’re going to get into what it is, why it’s so strong, and why it’s used in everything from jet engines to baseball bats. Stick around.”

Read it out loud quietly as you write. If it sounds awkward when you say it, rewrite it. A script is meant to be heard.

Project Day 2: Record Your Intros and Choose a Topic

Reread both intros out loud. Then record them, taking turns at the table — one microphone per table, silent when it is not your turn. Follow Recording Setup: mic about six inches away, gain set with headroom, project named Intro Test, a new track for each intro. Mistake? Do not stop; be silent for three seconds and re-read the line.

Practice the three edits on your recordings: trim (drag the region edges to cut silence), split (cmd + T at the playhead), delete the bad piece.

Closing: decide. Which intro sounded better? Which topic are you more excited about? Which do you have more to say about?

Project Day 3: Write Your Script

Open Word Online and start Podcast Script — Your Name. Read the Script Expectations below and the Sample Script first.

• Introduction — your chosen intro, revised.
• Main content — 2–3 main points in a logical flow. Short lines; this is read aloud.
• Conclusion — a summary or final thought, thank the listeners, sign off with the podcast name and your name.
• Audio annotations in brackets: [MUSIC: Upbeat intro — fade out after 15 seconds], [SFX: applause], [MUSIC: outro — fade in under talking].
• 250–500 words, not counting annotations, for a 3–5 minute episode.

Use Read Aloud in Word to hear it. Switch the Editor from Formal to Casual writing for better suggestions.

Project Day 4: Intro Music

The first thing listeners hear. In Soundtrap: browse loops that match the mood of your topic, layer 2–4 (a beat, a bass, a melody) in the same key and tempo, keep it 10–20 seconds, and stagger the loops so it builds instead of starting all at once (Arranging Loops). Export as an MP3 and keep it where you can find it on recording day.

Finished? Keep working on the script.

Project Day 5: Peer Feedback and Final Script

Reread your script against the checklist: intro with all five parts, 2–3 main points, a conclusion, audio annotations, 250–500 words.

Read two classmates’ scripts and leave specific, helpful feedback: does the intro grab you, is the topic clear, are the points in order, does the conclusion wrap up, are the annotations there, would you want to listen? “It’s good” is not feedback; say what works and why, and what is unclear and how to fix it.

Share your script with Can Review permission and paste the link in the CTLS discussion. Then revise from the feedback you got, use Read Aloud once more, fix spelling with the Editor, and turn in the final script. Break long paragraphs into short lines.

Project Day 6: Record

Set up per Recording Setup. In Soundtrap: a new project named Podcast, your intro music imported onto its own track, a Voice & Mic track for you.

Record one section at a time, never the whole episode in one take. Mistake? Silence for three seconds, re-read the line. Speak clearly at a steady pace; stay close to the mic; do not move around. Listen back and re-record anything unclear, too quiet, or rushed.

Project Day 7: Edit

Listen to the whole recording first and note what needs re-recording. Not every mistake needs a new take; small ones get cut. You get about five minutes with the microphone, taking turns.

Editing checklist:

1. Trim dead air at the beginning and end.
2. Split and delete mistakes — find the three-second silences and cut the bad takes.
3. Noise reduction on the voice track.
4. Levels — your voice at a consistent volume; music and effects quieter than your voice.
5. Music — intro music at the start, faded out or lowered under your voice; transitions between sections; outro music at the end.
6. Sound effects where the script calls for them, on their own track, sparingly.
7. Listen to the full episode once more.

Project Day 8: Finish and Share

Export as an MP3 (Turning In Work) and upload it to the CTLS discussion. Then listen to classmates’ episodes and leave constructive comments.

Script Expectations

• Originality. Each student writes their own script. No AI or other automated writing tools for any part of it.
• Topic. Anything school-appropriate — informative, entertaining, or creative — respectful and relevant to an audience of peers.
• Length. A finished episode of 3–5 minutes; roughly 250–500 words, remembering music and pauses add time.
• Structure. Introduction, main content, conclusion.
• Audio elements. [MUSIC: type or title — start/stop] and [SFX: description — when] notes wherever music or effects come in.
• Tone. Conversational. No formal language; no offensive or inappropriate language.
• Format. Typed in Word Online, clearly formatted, short lines.

Checkpoints

Day 1 — four categories brainstormed; two intros, each with all five parts. Day 2 — both intros recorded; trim, split, and delete practiced; a final topic chosen. Day 3 — intro, 2–3 points, conclusion, annotations; 250–500 words. Day 4 — 2–4 loops, 10–20 seconds, builds; MP3 exported. Day 5 — two scripts reviewed with specific feedback; own script revised and turned in. Day 6 — mic set up correctly; intro music imported; full script recorded and checked. Day 7 — mistakes cut; levels balanced; music and effects placed; full listen-through. Day 8 — MP3 uploaded; comments left on classmates’ episodes.

Teacher Notes

• One microphone per table and a strict silence rule are what make Days 2, 6, and 7 work in a full room.
• Day 2’s recordings are throwaways; the point is choosing a topic by hearing yourself say it.
• Day 4 can swap with Day 3 if the microphones are needed elsewhere; it is the one day that needs no mic.
• If the last two days land on shortened periods, move the first editing pass into Day 6’s closing and keep Day 8 to export, upload, and listen.
• Soundtrap’s sound library is uneven for effects. The 2025-26 run used a posted sound-effects folder on CTLS.