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| My kidsī radio hour | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 22 2011, 08:09 AM (302 Views) | |
| Optimistic | Jan 22 2011, 08:09 AM Post #1 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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So I got kidsī radio hour started before I went home for Christmas. Saturday mornings at 10. I only had two shows before I left, and although they were pretty basic (read a story or two, play some music, a little conversation) and there were very few people who actually knew about it, I think they went pretty well and they were a lot of fun to do. Now that Iīm back and Iīve been able to advertise a little bit for it, Iīve been developing it a little more. I have a fairly decent collection of kidsī music now (in Spanish, and a few songs in Guaraní) I have a very respectable collection of stories, and Iīve been having more kids come on the show each time. This morningīs show, though, was REALLY fun. Another Volunteer, who lives in the town close to me, came over with 2 kids from his town, and I brought one with me. The kids helped do voices for the stories, told jokes and riddles, and helped us with some of the radio banter. Although I bring the music and choose what gets played, thereīs a guy there who runs the machine and controls the sound. Eventually Iīd like to take over that part of my program as well, because that way I donīt have to stick to a certain agreed-upon order of songs if I decide to change something mid-program. Today, though, it worked really well, because while we were reading the stories he added sound effects, all which ended up being SO appropriate for what we were doing (laugh track after jokes, Pink Panther theme while reading about a mouse searching for food, cricket sounds, etc.). Some parts we couldnīt help cracking up over the sounds. . . not sure if that made for a good show or not, but WE enjoyed it. My mom gave me an American Song Whistle (this slide whistle that plays down the octave and then back up again), a really nice one, and every time right before a joke I had the girl from my town blow it loudly, and then the other Volunteer laughed really loud. It was a riot! In our PC training they give us all these manuals that have lessons, activities, camps that past Volunteers have done successfully, tried and true projects that we can get started in our own communities. It ends up that those of us in the Education sector end up doing a lot of the similar summer camps, learning songs, icebreakers, etc. Nobody so far has ever really developed a kidsī radio program, which I find kind of amazing being that every house has a radio, and community radio is so popular. If your family isnīt listening ot the radio, you more than likely will still be able to hear your neighborīs. It seems like such a great way to reach a larger amount of kids. Not to mention, kids are so freaking BORED around here. Now that there are more people listening (as I walked home this morning a couple people told me their family was listening and loved it), Iīm gonna start putting a theme for each day and add "public service announcements" (like "Brush your teeth! Cavities hurt!" and "If youīre bored, read a book! Soap operas are boring, and for adults!"). I am so excited about developing this radio show. Itīs become my little baby, and with more and more kids getting involved I feel better about the possibility of the show being able to continue after I leave here. the station ![]() reading a story with Andrea ![]() ![]() (ok, those last two are staged, I admit. During the show is a little hectic. Itīs an accurate representation of the real thing, though. ) |
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PHOTOS I must have a prodigious quantity of mind; it takes me as much as a week, sometimes, to make it up. - Mark Twain We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. -T. S. Eliot | |
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| RosemaryTwo | Jan 22 2011, 08:14 AM Post #2 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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That looks like sooo much fun. It sounds like you're getting the hang of it, too. |
| "Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua | |
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| sue | Jan 22 2011, 08:50 AM Post #3 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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That is fantastic, Opti! What a great thing to be doing. There is something really wonderful about listening to a radio program. Because it's not visual, your imagination gets to do it's own thing, and it's easier to listen to. Such a good project, especially since they all have their radios going anyways! |
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| Optimistic | Jan 22 2011, 09:16 AM Post #4 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Yeah, itīs a blast! I just have to get creative on ways to keep the kidsī attention as long as I can (not using stories that are too long or involved, giving writing assignments to be handed in with opportunities for prizes, etc.). Kidsī attention spans here are awful with listening activities. I think reading to children at a young age (or, as is the case here, not) is a major factor in that. |
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PHOTOS I must have a prodigious quantity of mind; it takes me as much as a week, sometimes, to make it up. - Mark Twain We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. -T. S. Eliot | |
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| sue | Jan 22 2011, 09:43 AM Post #5 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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So, so true. It can be frustrating if you have a few in your group that do have that attention span, and would love longer stories, but you can't do it because you lose the others. I do it sometimes when doing a story time at the library; I figure I should also cater to those that do want more, instead of always to the ones that can't sit for long. And the way I see it is; how the heck do you ever learn to pay attention longer if no one ever asks you to pay attention longer? Tough call though, because the last thing you want to do is lose your audience.
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| Friday | Jan 22 2011, 10:58 AM Post #6 |
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Senior Carp
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I love hearing about the work you're doing. And as silly as it sounds, because I have had nothing to do with you or your upbringing, I am so proud of you. |
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| sue | Jan 22 2011, 10:59 AM Post #7 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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+1
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| Optimistic | Jan 22 2011, 11:00 AM Post #8 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Thanks, moms.
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PHOTOS I must have a prodigious quantity of mind; it takes me as much as a week, sometimes, to make it up. - Mark Twain We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. -T. S. Eliot | |
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| Aqua Letifer | Jan 22 2011, 11:30 AM Post #9 |
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ZOOOOOM!
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Do you take calls during your show? Because so help me if you do, I will find a way to call in and request some Zepp in between your lessons and stories.
Kind of like "Hanoi Hanna," but in a good way! |
| I cite irreconcilable differences. | |
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| Optimistic | Jan 22 2011, 12:17 PM Post #10 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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As of right now, nope. The guy who runs it was talking about how heīd like to get a phone put in there, though, so that we could do just that. Actually, thatīs a good idea, and I suppose I could even just use my cell phone until then. I canīt give you Zepp, but how about Barney or Paraguayan patriotic hymns?? |
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PHOTOS I must have a prodigious quantity of mind; it takes me as much as a week, sometimes, to make it up. - Mark Twain We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. -T. S. Eliot | |
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| Aqua Letifer | Jan 22 2011, 12:22 PM Post #11 |
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ZOOOOOM!
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Come on, man, it's Saturday afternoon and it's bumper to bumper out here! I need some Black Dog! Stairway's not gonna cut it. |
| I cite irreconcilable differences. | |
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| Optimistic | Jan 22 2011, 12:28 PM Post #12 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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Sorry, what kind of music do you think we play here anyway? How about this little number to brighten the day! It has been a good 15 minutes since weīve played it, anyway! |
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PHOTOS I must have a prodigious quantity of mind; it takes me as much as a week, sometimes, to make it up. - Mark Twain We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. -T. S. Eliot | |
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| Aqua Letifer | Jan 22 2011, 12:31 PM Post #13 |
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ZOOOOOM!
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Oh that's right. ...I'm so sorry. |
| I cite irreconcilable differences. | |
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| brenda | Jan 22 2011, 01:18 PM Post #14 |
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..............
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Opti, the radio show idea is fantastic! You'll see huge growth in the number of listeners as kids start talking about it. Having it be interactive, in the form of writing assignments is also an excellent idea. Even if the prize is just the recognition of having their name and story shared on the program, I think they will get pretty excited about it. Kids love recognition, and to have it happen on the radio would pretty much make any kid's day. Just think of all the connections you'll be making with their young minds. Well done!
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Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them. ~A.A. Milne | |
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| RosemaryTwo | Jan 22 2011, 01:47 PM Post #15 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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You know I'm surprised about the lack of attention span. Even if cultures don't read, usually there is an oral tradition of storytelling in place. With your skills, I would expect a captivated audience. I, too, am proud of you. |
| "Perhaps the thing to do is just to let stupid run its course." Aqua | |
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During the show is a little hectic. Itīs an accurate representation of the real thing, though.
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That is fantastic, Opti! What a great thing to be doing. There is something really wonderful about listening to a radio program. Because it's not visual, your imagination gets to do it's own thing, and it's easier to listen to. Such a good project, especially since they all have their radios going anyways!
Tough call though, because the last thing you want to do is lose your audience.

10:54 AM Jul 11