Activity: Radio Show

 

Ages:             6-8, 9-12                                   What you'll need:  Paper
Location:     Indoors                                                                            Pencil
Skills:            Language, thinking                                                        Tape recorder
Source:       Learning Exchange/Familyplay                                      Tape
                                                                                                                Objects for sound
                                                                                                                 effects
Background:
This activity helps kids develop their language skills through storytelling. They can be as creative as they wish with the narrative and the sound effects, and even include their friends in the project as radio actors.

What to do:
1. Make up a story that uses lots of sound effects. (See the sample Radio Show.)

2. Read the story and record it. Leave pauses where sound effects will be added.

3. Collect objects for making sound effects for the story. For example, two blocks of wood can be tapped together for the sound of someone walking up the stairs or a bell used for someone ringing the doorbell.

4. Play the tape and experiment with the sound effects at the pauses.

5. Play the story for a "radio audience." Have the audience members participate by making the sound effects.

Sample Radio Show: The Baseball Game

Have you ever been to a baseball game? To me, nothing is more exciting. Even now, I can hear the noise of the crowd (make low throat sounds) as they wait for the game to start. The first player walks to the plate and taps it with his bat (tapping sound). The pitcher winds up and throws the ball. It flies past the batter (whooshing sound) and hits the catcher's mitt (thump). The umpire calls out ("Strike one!"), and the crowd sighs (sigh). The batter's heart beats fast (tap quickly on table) as he waits for the next pitch. The crowd eagerly awaits it, too. The only sound from the stands is a hot-dog vendor selling hot dogs and peanuts ("Hot dogs! Peanuts!"). The batter groans (groan) as he swings at the pitch. He makes contact (hit two pieces of wood together), and the ball flies high (whoosh) to center field! The crowd cries out in amazement ("Oooh! Aaah!") as the ball soars out of the ballpark! The crowd goes wild (cheers and clapping)! The home team has won! It seems like only yesterday that I was among those cheering fans at the baseball game.

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