Students keep a daily diary that records how and when they listen to audio texts, then analyze the details and compare their results to published reports on American radio listeners.

From its birth in 1920 to the rise of television in the early 1950s, commercial radio played a central role in American life. For much of this era, the radio itself held an honored place in the center of the home. Entire families would gather around it to hear important news events, listen to live music, or catch the latest installment of a hit drama or comedy series such as The Lone Ranger or Amos n Andy. But by the early 1950s, technological shifts most notably the introduction of television into the family living room heralded significant changes in the American people's relationship with radio. The rise of smaller, portable radios meant that individuals could now listen virtually any time or place. The growing popularity of television rendered radio drama and comedy series nearly obsolete; listeners were less satisfied with merely listening to stories on radio when they could see them unfold before their eyes on television.

This lesson explores the technology of "records" and what it meant to the people who consumed them. Students will learn how a record works and why a needle on a disc can record and play back music. Moreover, students will investigate how these technological changes had far reaching effects, even in the domestic setting. Finally, this lesson follows the 45 rpm and LP record through the airwaves of both AM and FM radio, using excerpts of broadcasts by the pioneering DJs Alan Freed and Tom Donahue and investigating how the possibilities and limitations of each medium and their respective places on the radio dial provide a framework for historical analysis.

« Là où je dors web est le complément indispensable de la série télévisuelle LÀ OÙ JE DORS.

Partez à la découverte du monde des enfants à travers 36 portraits de leurs chambres. Un tour de la francophonie vous attend. »

Le site propose des entretiens vidéo avec les enfants qui y figurent, des tours photographiques de leurs chambres à coucher, une carte du monde démontrant leurs situations géographiques, des récits écrits de certains de leurs rêves, un jeu de composition de récit de rêve inventé, un jeu d'objet mystère (qui s'agit aussi de quiz de compréhension/mémoire), et des « extraits radios » - témoignages oraux des enfants représentés.

An interactive globe that has radio stations from all over the world. Tune in to hear talk radio, songs, or all sorts of other things. Available online or as an app from Google Play or Apple. 

Through this lesson students learn how AM radios work through basic concepts about waves and magnetic fields. Waves are first introduced by establishing the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves, as well as identifying the amplitude and frequency of a given waveform. Students then learn general concepts about magnetic fields, leading into how radio waves are created and transmitted. Several demonstrations can be performed in order to help students better understand these concepts. The goal of this lesson is for students to understand how the AM radios built during the associated activity function.

Students take classes and work all week to produce a Friday radio show that goes live on air. Every student presents their weeks work (reviews, commentary, investigations) on air. Watch as students work with their peer teachers to perfect their work before Friday.