Kids Listen Activity Podcast, Episode 7: Timestorm Presents The Storm
Timestorm is a serialized audio fiction podcast about time-traveling twins from Newark, New Jersey. In this episode, Alexa and Beni Ventura are yanked into another dimension where they meet a distant cousin who gives them an extraordinary mission: travel through time to preserve their culture’s true history. Listen to the episode here.
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After you listen, do the activity! Pick a prompt and share your story, or choose from a number of other episode-themed activities below!
Share Your Story!
Pick one of the prompts below and write down your answer.
ADVENTURE: Share an adventure you had while traveling with your family. Why do you think this event or moment stands out in your memory?
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CULTURE: Share an interesting cultural tradition or fact about your heritage. Why is this part of your culture important to you?
COMMUNITY: Share a time that you volunteered to help your community. How did it make you feel to offer your time and attention when it was needed?
TIME-TRAVEL: Share where and when you'd want to time-travel. Why do you want to travel to that place and point in time?
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Share your answer with a family member or friend.
Use an audio recorder or voice memo app on a phone to record your answer. If you’d like, you can use the script template below:
Hello. My name is [FIRST NAME]. I’m [AGE] years old and I live in [CITY, STATE, or COUNTRY]. My [adventure / culture / community / time-travel] share-out is about…
Do you want to share your story with the world? If you do, please have a parent or guardian send your voice recording to us and we might include it in a future episode. Audio files can be emailed to CocotazoMedia@gmail.com with the subject “SHARE-OUT: [NAME]”
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Reflection Questions
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The theme song sets the tone for the entire series. Based on the music and the lyrics, what predictions can you make about the storyline for Timestorm?
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In this episode, Alexa and Beni have very different reactions to Horacio’s invitation to help with the mission. Which response can you relate to better? Why?
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There are many ways to experience stories such as television, movies, online, live theatre, and books. What is unique to experiencing a story through audio only?
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Fiction & Facts
Newark, New Jersey
On the Show: The Ventura family lives in the North ward of Newark, New Jersey. Alexa and Beni attend Rafael Hernandez School. Clara works at the North End Branch of the Newark Public Library. Ramiro is an airline pilot and often flies out of Newark Liberty International Airport.
In Real Life: The area now known as Newark was once home to the Lenni Lenape people before European settlement in 1666. Today, Newark has the highest population of any New Jersey city. It’s also home to several institutions of higher education, large corporate headquarters, and major cultural venues.
Puerto Ricans in the Military
On the Show: Lieutenant Horacio Méndez is a former US soldier who was born and raised in Guayama, Puerto Rico. He was a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War.
In Real Life: Puerto Rican troops have fought in every United States conflict since World War I. Hundreds lost their lives and many have received high honors for their distinguished service such as the 65th Infantry Regiment – the “Borinqueneers” - who were awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in 2016.
Barometer
On the Show: The Bronze Barometer helps humans travel through time.
In Real Life: A barometer is an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure for weather forecasting. Early barometers date back to the 17th century. The Bronze Barometer is based on the aneroid barometer invented by Lucien Vidie in 1844.
Sources:
RiseUpNewark.com | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newark%2C_New_Jersey | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Ricans_in_the_Vietnam_War | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barometer | study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-a-barometer-definition-history-function.html | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/65th_Infantry_Regiment
Resources:
Knowing Newark: Charles Cumming (Newark Public Library): KnowingNewark.npl.org
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Newark Public Library Latino Oral History: npl.org/Pages/Collections/njhric/LatinoOralHistory.html
Newark History Society: NewarkHistorySociety.org
Rise Up Newark: RiseUpNewark.com
History of Newark, NJ: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Newark%2C_New_Jersey
Vietnam War - The Puerto Rican Experience In The U.S. Military: A Century Of Unheralded Service, Dr. Franqui-Rivera: centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/digital-humanities/pr-military/vietnam-wars
65th Infantry Regiment (Borinqueneers): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/65th_Infantry_Regiment