Podcast #25 - Students Dramatic Reading of "Runagate" - A Poem on The Underground Railroad

Hello. School is almost done for the year and tonight I want to post an awesome example of what students can do in terms of content for a podcast. Two of my 8th grade American History students - Jonathan and Alex - came to me a couple of weeks ago while we were studying the Underground Railroad and told me they had performed a dramatic reading of the Robert Hayden poem "Runagate" - a poem which portrays an escape by a runaway slave - for a speech contest. I asked if we could record it for the podcast and they allowed to me tape their reading of the poem. The rhythm and pace of the reading attempt to capture the frantic pace of a runaway slave.

Thanks so much to Jonathan and Alex for allowing me to record and post their work. Podcasting student produced content is a powerful tool and I hope to include more student created work such as this next year.

If you have any questions or comments please contact me at speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Direct link to Podcast #25 - Students Dramatic Reading of "Runagate" - A Poem on The Underground Railroad - MP3 format (7:30 minutes)

Show Notes for Podcast #25

• Text of the poem "Runagate" by Robert Hayden
• Biography of poet Robert Hayden