Now that you know about my use of mp3 players in the classroom, let me fill you in on my favorite way to add to my audiobook collection.
I obtain audio recordings for my mp3 players from several locations. Some come from storybook CDs I already own, others have been purchased on Audible, but the cheapest (and most fun) source of materials for your listening center is to make your own!
I recently had SO much fun creating an audio recording of Doreen Cronin’s wonderful book Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type for my kinders. I was the voice of the narrator, but I enlisted some of my fellow staff members (including the school custodian) to provide voices for Farmer Brown, the cows, and duck.
This book had too many words for most of my students to follow along, so I added prompts each time they would have to turn the page. A boring old beep would simply not be fun enough for my kiddos so I stuck with the cow theme and added a MOO sound as the prompt. I also found a sound clip of a typewriter online and added this effect each time the story referenced someone typing a letter. As a final touch, I added a fun splash to the very end of the recording (when the ducks get a diving board). All of these sounds can be found online for free.
It’s easy to get started. All you need is a computer with audio recording software and a USB microphone. The microphone doesn’t have to be anything expensive. Mine is a headset made by Logitech. You can buy one Amazon for under $30. But any microphone with a USB connection will work.
Software is also easy to acquire.
I’m a Mac user and Apple provides a wonderful audio recording program in the iLife suite called GarageBand. I use this when I create audio materials for my classroom. It’s pretty simple to navigate and use.
I know most people are PC users so I have good news for you as well. You can download Audacity for free. They have free downloads available for Windows, Mac, and Linux users.
Your students will think you are the coolest kid on the block if you make an audio recording just for them. Good luck and happy recording!
I’m a former kindergarten teacher turned work-from-home mom. I still love sharing ideas and resources to make teaching easier, so you can focus on what really matters in the classroom. When I’m not working on the blog, you’ll find me chasing kids around the house with a cold cup of coffee in my hand (some things never change even once you’re out of the classroom!)
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9 Responses
WOW!! That is the coolest thing I have read all week!!! I love this idea!! SUMMER PROJECT!! LOL!
Great to Meet you! I love your blog.
I’m your newest follower! Thanks for sending me here. I love the idea of using an MP3 player for listening to stories!
Sally from ElementaryMatters
How wonderful that you had so much fun creating this recording for your kiddies!! I had to do the same thing for an assessment at University as part of my teaching degree, but found it quite stressful! I would love to give it another go, now I won’t be being assessed (well only by little people!) Thanks for stopping by my blog I am your newest follower and am really looking forward to catching up on your posts:) Happy day to you!!
Tina
Good Morning Mrs Rubie
You’ve been tagged! Come see my blog for details! http://mrskazanjianskindergarten.blogspot.com. I’m excited to read your responses! I’m also your newest follower! Chris
I have a Mac, but I’ve never used GarageBand… I think I’m going to have to check it out now! I’ve been wanting to figure out an easy way to record stories for a listening center- why did I not think of using it??? Thanks for the tip. I love that you added extra fun sounds into it, too. I’m also thinking this could be an awesome 7th or 8th grade assignment… I might have to talk with the upper grade teachers. =)
First with Franklin
I love the idea of assigning the project out to older students! It will save you so much time. Garage band is pretty simple to use, but feel free to email me if you experiment and get stuck.
Maria
First of all, love that you are a Mac user 🙂 I have been thinking about doing this with Garageband but haven’t gotten around to it yet…maybe it will be a summer project.
Excited to start following you! Come stop by my blog sometime 🙂
Danielle
Would you consider sharing your recording of this book? It sounds magnificent….
sgriffiths@bcbe.org
I love to do my own audio recording as it is a great way to have fun. Now a days, most of the people build home recording studio for recording various types of audio or sound track. Thanks for sharing this great post.
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