In this lesson, students learn about the radio’s early days in the 1930s and its far-reaching effects on American life, from spreading culture and sharing news to creating new possibilities for military communications. Optional follow-up activities include creating a podcast or exploring the way the internet has influenced supply scarcity, political outcomes, and protest movements.

About the Author:

Jessica Leader is a teacher and author. She has taught middle and high school English and social studies for 13 years in New York, Kentucky, and Washington, DC and has authored curriculum materials for several Ken Burns films. Her middle-grade novel, Nice and Mean, was published by Simon and Schuster. She believes in the power of great stories.