Description
Perfect as a no-prep sub plan, an end of year activity, a summer boredom buster, or a fun Friday activity, this mystery picture and writing activity provides listening comprehension, entertainment, and writing practice all rolled into one. We all have days when we need a great lesson in a pinch, and that’s why I created Listen, Learn, and Write: Video Games!
While listening, kids will discover the incredible stories of Ralph Baer and Jerry Lawson, two remarkable men whose innovation and determination forever changed the landscape of gaming. Baer, a Jewish refugee who escaped Nazi Germany, went on to create the first home video game console. Lawson, a Black computer engineer, built on that idea and pioneered the creation of the first video game cartridge. Together, these gaming pioneers laid the foundation for what we know and love about video games today!
Kids will answer multiple-choice questions that gradually reveal a hidden picture. The short response prompts at the end will help them solidify their knowledge while strengthening their writing skills and creativity.
These digital activities are so much fun that they can be used in many ways. it’s 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.
And for teachers in a pinch, coming up with a quick lesson has never been easier!
Listen, Learn, Write: Video Games is an excellent, no-prep podcast activity that includes a listening activity with a mystery picture and writing activities that are perfect for middle school students. Kids will LOVE the podcast, and they’ll be excited to see the hidden picture slowly being revealed as they answer the self-checking multiple-choice questions correctly.
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?
This 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!
WHAT’S THE PODCAST ABOUT?
Listen, Learn, Write: Video Games explores the history of video games. Kids will learn the inspiring stories of two dynamic engineers who paved the way for the modern video games they love.
WHY WILL THIS RESOURCE BE SUPER USEFUL?
- You can leave it with a sub. (It’s PERFECT substitute work because it’s NOT just busy work!)
- Encourage kids to complete it over the summer as a skills review activity.
- Use it to introduce a speaking and listening unit or a content-related lesson.
- Assign it between lessons or units, when you aren’t ready to start something new.
- Share the materials with early finishers.
- Assign it for homework or as an enrichment activity.
- Fun Fridays
One of my favorite ways to use a fun podcast listening and writing activity is right before a vacation when the kids are a bit… squirrely!
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- 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 Slide with short response writing prompts
- 1 Google slide that provides students with extension questions to encourage curiosity and research
- A printable pdf version of the writing activities
- Answer key
NOTE: The podcast’s audio is not included; however, I supply you with several links to access it.
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 THIS LESSON TAKE?
Part 1: Podcast and Self-Checking Mystery Picture: about 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 Extention: This part enables students to continue learning, and can take 10-20 minutes.
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❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS PODCAST ACTIVITY❤️
♡ It’s Easy to Use!
All you have to do is assign the tasks you want students to do. Everything is self-directed! Students will learn while working independently. It’s a great activity to leave with a sub!
♡ It Provides 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.
♡ It’s Fun and Engaging!
The podcast is engaging and perfectly appropriate for students in grades 5-7. Students will love learning about everyone’s favorite fun activity 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: Video Games. Be sure to look at the preview to see everything that’s included!
Here’s hoping your kids are GAME to listen and learn!
Darlene Anne
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