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Welcome to Scholastic Professional Podcasts. In our quest to bring the expertise and insights of our authors directly to you, we offer brief, information-filled talks on reading, writing, language arts, and other essential topics that address both the challenges and triumphs of teaching and learning. Our podcasts are designed to spark discussion, encourage thinking and change, and enrich your sense of professional community.

You can easily download the podcasts to your iPod® or listen to them on your computer.
» Podcasting 101: What you need to know about podcasting.

Learn More About Linda Alston		Linda Alston From Wisconsin Public Radio and WGTD 91.1 FM, listen to Terry Lawler's compelling interview with Linda Alston on his weekly radio show "Education Matters." Denver kindergarten teacher and author, and also a former Milwaukee-area teacher, Linda discusses her book, Why We Teach, in which she shares her stories and experiences from her 20 years in the classroom. Linda Alston on her book: Why We Teach
Learn More About Ruth Culham		Ruth Culham Ruth Culham knows that for many teachers, teaching writing is hard work. But does it have to be? Listen as she talks about why we haven’t found the silver bullet for teaching writing after all these years. Ruth Culham on Teaching Writing (3:28 minutes) >Download this podcast! These days it seems like educators all across the country are talking about the traits of writing. Here’s Ruth to explain what the traits are . . . and why they’ve become so popular. Ruth Culham on the Traits of Writing (4:25 minutes) >Download this podcast!
Learn More About Laura Robb		Laura Robb There’s so much news today on how kids don’t read for pleasure anymore. Laura Robb offers advice on how to instill a love of reading in all children while balancing strategic reading instruction with independent reading. Laura Robb on Instilling a Love of Reading (8:37 minutes) >Download this podcast! As a reading expert, Laura knows that writing about reading improves students’ comprehension. But just how that happens is a bit mysterious for many teachers. Here’s Laura Robb to explain the connection between writing and understanding. Laura Robb: Writing and Understanding (5:48 minutes) >Download this podcast!
Learn More About Jeff Wilhelm		Jeff Wilhelm Jeff bases the strategies in his books on the theories of how children learn by Russian psychologist, Lev Vygotsky. Jeff thinks all teachers should be aware of Vygotsky’s research and how it relates to older readers. Jeff Wilhelm Discusses Lev Vygotsky (2:38 minutes) >Download this podcast! In his work with students, Jeff Wilhelm finds that there are better ways to teach kids to understand what they read than simply discussing books in class. Listen Jeff to explain think-aloud strategies, and how they lead to reading comprehension. Jeff Wilhelm Explains Think-Aloud Strategies (1:12 minutes) >Download this podcast! Jeff Wilhelm uses enactments to get students involved with reading. First he explains what enactments are and then he describes how a strategy called hot-seating worked well with a high school class studying Huckleberry Finn. And finally, you’ll hear why these strategies have special value to teachers working with at-risk and reluctant readers. Jeff Wilhelm on Enactments (3:42 minutes) >Download this podcast!

How to listen to our podcasts:
To stream the podcast, click on the podcast title link to launch the streaming audio player. To download the podcast, right click on the "Download this podcast!" link, and select "Save Link As..." or "Save Target As..."

Anyone Can Podcast!
As the Washington Post recently reported, even children in early grades are using their iPods to create podcasts, or online radio shows, and post them to school sites. The curricular possibilities are endless (see the Washington Post article for suggestions from students themselves), and the technology motivates even the most reluctant learners.

» Read the Washington Post article at: http://tinyurl.com/ad59s

What is a Podcast?
A podcast is audio (or video) you can download and listen to on your computer anytime. To take your podcasts with you, you will need a portable audio player, such as an iPod. You will also need a software program to manage your podcasts; the most prevalent software is iTunes from Apple and it is available for free download at: iTunes (Mac or PC Version).

Once you install your software, then you can begin downloading podcasts. And once you get the knack of it, you may even want to begin creating and producing podcasts for your class or school. Click here for a free tutorial on the four basic steps in creating a podcast.