Over the past year, I’ve tried to provide lots of seasonal podcast recommendations since I know that they are helpful during wild teaching days like Halloween and Valentine’s Day and important while engaging learners during Black History and Women’s History. One of the most opportune times to use the power of podcasts in the classroom is the day before holiday break. Podcasts create a cozy “radio hour” vibe and can provide teachers some much needed down time to wrap up tasks before vacation. However, I will admit here that these holiday podcasts for the classroom recommendations are not as strong as my other lists. I did my best with what is out there, but don’t lose trust in my podcast rec game if these turn out to be a little less easy on the ears.
That said, let’s jump right in and make do with what the podcast world has gifted us!
Holiday Podcasts for the Classroom
Hidden Brain Christmas Episode: Up first we have an episode from one of my favorite nerdy podcasts. Though it’s science-based, the content is always delivered in an interesting way, making this podcast a good selection for the classroom. The Christmas episode is a great one because it’s short and has a humorous scene that’s all too relatable! Ha! To keep students engaged, you can pause it and let them debate some of the questions posed in the podcast such as “Is it ok to regift?” Or, you can print one of these free podcast pages for them to color while listening then do a discussion at the end of the 22 minute episode.
If you want another science and evidence based recommendation, try out The Happiness Lab “Happier Holidays: How to give and Receive the Perfect Gift
BBC World Service “The First Kwanzaa” – During my research for holiday podcasts, I came across this short podcast episode for the classroom and found myself wishing it were longer! It was really interesting and informative, and I think it will provide a powerful world-lens during the holiday season.
Girl Tales Podcast “Judah Maccabee: A Hanukkah Story” – Most of my podcast recommendations for the classroom have been for middle school and high school students. However, I always have several elementary teachers ask for recs as well, so I like to deliver! Click here for 30+ elementary podcasts for the classroom!
I’ve heard about the Girl Tales Podcast before, but this was the first episode I listened to, and let me tell you, it’s SO GOOD. The sound effects and empowering story telling make this podcast an incredible selection for a younger audience!
If you are looking for a Hanukkah selection for secondary students, let me show you a little trick.
If you have the iPhone podcast app, all you do is search for key words in the search field and lots of choices will pop up. I’m sure it works this way on other podcast apps as well. I always end up finding hidden gems by using this podcast search trick!
When you can’t travel the world on foot, explore it by ear! Personally, my absolute FAVORITE type of Christmas podcast are the ones that teach me about holiday traditions around the world. Rick Steves “European Christmas Traditions” will always have my heart, but this year I discovered a new podcast that has really been a hit! It’s called “Weird Christmas” and showcases unique traditions from different cultures. For a classroom episode recommendation, try WC #20 Yule Lads and Icelandic Christmas
I made a podcast page especially for this type of holidays around the world listen, and you can grab it here!
Lastly, there’s something about cozying up and listening to a good old fashioned story by the (projected) fire. Keeping with the winter theme, I found a new to me podcast called “Mythical Monsters” and one of their stories is about the The Abominable Snowman. Unlike most of the holiday podcasts for the classroom I recommended in this list, this one is more in the lane of storytelling. If your students like this type of activity then it’s a great option!
Goodnight Rebel Girls Aisholpan Nurgaiv Narrated by Lowri Morgan– Though geared toward a younger audience, I recommend the Good Night Rebel Girls podcast for kids of any age! I love this podcast so much and the stories are the perfect length to keep students engaged (20 min). The specific episode I will recommend for the holiday season is about Aisholpan Nurgaiv and starts out, “Once upon a time, there was a girl who lived where snowy peaks scraped the sky. Her name was Aisholpan.” It’s an action-packed true story with a magical snowy setting.
So if this sounds like a perfect way to spend the day before break, then be sure to grab your FREE podcast pages and hit play on one of these holiday podcasts!
Thanks for these! My kids love your coloring pages.
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/482/lights-camera-christmas
This one is fun story-telling, too. Act 2 and 3 especially. The writer Ron Carlson is a favorite of mine and his story “The H Street Sledding Record” is really great. There is a WNYC version somewhere with an actor reading the story which is maybe a little better listening.
Thank you so much! I love This American Life!