My Podcast: Thai Shadow Puppets

Hi Jess - I enjoyed this podcast tremendously. It was so clear and precise, and unhurried that I imagined it as a voice over for a video showing all of the steps you described. Your introduction was easy to follow and understand. I liked the tips on using the scissors and managing paper scraps. You have created a very useful resource for other teachers - really enjoyed the detail. Having the picture of Thai shadow puppets on podomatic to view along with listening to your podcast was also effective for your presentation.

Laura I agree with Terry, your podcast was very clear and presise. I definitely be able to use your instruction to make shawdow puppets. If I need directions I can come back to you page to get information.

Jess, of course you know I really enjoyed your podcast, and it doesn't hurt that I was here to watch it come to life! I am glad that you created a podcast with a different audience in mind - teachers need as much help as anyone else in coming up with ways to connect to the community of professionals, and ways to enliven their curriculum. I think that podcasting, as well as video-casting, are GREAT ways to see other classrooms from around the country and the world that are doing things in innovative ways and bringing technology into kids arenas in awesome ways. I'm so glad that you tapped into the cultural aspects of your curriculum, as well, because i think it speaks to the core of your teaching and the assets you bring to the classroom. I, for one, wish i had been in a classroom like yours as a child, and more than that hope that I can bring some of these multicultural elements into my school as well.

Thanks so much, Jess!

Hi, This is Josh and I listend to you podcast and I thought it was great! You spoke loud and clear. You did not go to fast or slow. You had a really smooth voice like you were talking to person. I thought your story was really interesting to listen to. I learned how shadow puppets work... I really got to say that you are better than me. I hope I can listen to more podcasts from you Miss Olson.

Hi Miss Jessamyn.

I listened to your podcast today. I think that you could have spoke a little louder. I could hear but not that well what you said about everything. I think you could have spoke a little faster sometimes. The idea of the story was a little slow because you did not have enough expression. The thing I really liked about this story was the puppet picture. I learned how to make the shadow puppets from you!

From:Anasia

Hi Jess. Your podcast was very enjoyable and informative! Your enunciation and pacing were especially well done. I enjoyed listening to a podcast that was specifically targeted at teachers. Your directions were thorough and I think I could probably do this with my class without asking you for further explanation. I think it would be really cool if you could post some pictures of puppets that the children have created--I would love to see the finished product! Great job, it sounded as if podcasting is very natural for you.

Jess,

Your podcast was very informative and well carried out. I like the additional information you added regarding the adjustments you made for your particular grade level and for the safety of the children (such as cutting off the ends of the skewers and how to use the scissors properly.) Those are the little details that really make us feel more confident in actually using a lesson that seems a little overwhelming at first. I really appreciated how you tied in the culture to shadow puppetry, and really made it a focus of your podcast as well. I feel confident that I would be able to carry out the lesson based on your instructions. I also really enjoyed the picture on your podcast. It gave a bit of context to what you were talking about. One thing you might consider adding to the very end or even as an attachment is suggested readings. You mentioned in your podcast that you had books on Thailand and shadow puppets in your class library, and adding those as a resource to your podcast would enrich it even more.

Stacey

Great job jess!! I am so impressed with you knowledge of Thai shadow puppets! Maybe we can make them together some day.

To add a little to my last comment, I also loved how detailed your instructions were. I felt as if i could take a piece of paper and complete a shadow puppet just by following your easy steps. I think it is great that you are able to articulate exactly what needs to be done to have a ffinished project. The picture you added was AWESOME... I really loved being able to see what you were talking about. I felt it wraped up the lesson nicely. Great job.