Episode Summary
In this student-led episode of The BAGO Mic, Kade and Matthew reflect on their fifth grade experiences while sharing memories, challenges, successes, and lessons learned throughout the school year. Students discuss academics, friendships, testing, podcasting, and preparing for middle school.
The conversation explores growth in confidence, reading, math, communication, and classroom participation. Kade and Matthew discuss moments that challenged them, what helped them improve, and how relationships with classmates, teachers, and mentors shaped their year.
Throughout the episode, the students offer practical advice for next year’s class about staying focused, working hard, listening, participating, and not being afraid to speak up. They also reflect on what made podcasting meaningful and how student voice matters in school communities.
This episode serves as a reflection on growth and a handoff to the next class of student podcasters. Kade and Matthew encourage future students to work hard, communicate, support one another, and continue building strong student voices through The BAGO Mic.
Show Notes
- Favorite memories from fifth grade
- Growth in confidence and academics
- Advice for next year’s students
- Podcasting and communication skills
- Passing The BAGO Mic to the next class
Key Takeaways
- Confidence grows through practice and participation.
- Listening and effort improve learning outcomes.
- Communication skills help students succeed.
- Student voice makes schools stronger communities.
Hainipi… Hi everyone. Welcome to The BAGO Mic, powered by Student Voice, where students lead the way.
Matthew: We are students from Winnebago Public Schools, broadcasting from the Winnebago Native American Reservation in Winnebago, Nebraska.
Kade: This podcast is created by us for the world.
Kade: Alright, let’s start by introducing ourselves. My name is Kade.
Matthew: My name is Matthew.
Kade: Today’s episode is about our fifth grade year, advice for next year’s students, and passing The BAGO Mic onto the next class. Before we begin, we want to share something we’re thankful for.
Kade: I’m thankful for life.
Matthew: I’m thankful for my mom.
Kade: Now let’s get into it. Once again, the topic we’re talking about is our fifth grade year, advice for next year, and passing the mic.
Kade: So what do you think? Who do you think is going to be on The BAGO Mic next year?
Matthew: Probably all next year’s students.
Kade: Yeah. Who are the next year students?
Matthew: The next year students.
Kade: Alright. What was your favorite memory this year?
Matthew: I’d say the dance parties because they were really fun.
Kade: But what ruined them was when paper darts were made and people started throwing them up in the air.
Matthew: So then we couldn’t do them anymore.
Kade: No, we had one warning and then the paper darts got thrown again.
What was something funny that happened this year?
Matthew: When we were doing our paper throwing contest and you got hit in the head with a paper ball.
Kade: Oh yeah.
Matthew: Yeah, that was funny.
Kade: What was something hard this year?
Matthew: Testing.
Kade: Yeah, I’d say testing too.
Matthew: I felt really nervous and didn’t know if I was going to go up or not.
Kade: Which test was harder — reading or math?
Matthew: Math.
Kade: Which one was the hardest overall?
Matthew: Science.
Kade: I’d probably go with science too.
Matthew: Science is kind of easy though… never mind.
Kade: What surprised you about this year?
Matthew: That we get out of school a day early and have early dismissal.
Kade: What is something you got better at?
Matthew: Math.
Kade: How did you get better?
Matthew: I remember when I didn’t want to answer questions, but when I got comfortable with the class, I started answering questions more.
Kade: I got better at reading. I just kept reading books and practicing during minute readings.
Matthew: Oh yeah, I remember those.
Kade: What is something you were nervous about at first?
Matthew: Making it through the year.
Kade: Facts.
Kade: What is something you’re proud of from this year?
Kade: Going to Las Vegas and winning.
Matthew: Getting a B on my report card.
Kade: Getting a B on your report card is good.
What is something you remember from this class?
Matthew: All the hard work and the podcasting — what we’re doing right now.
Kade: What should next year’s students not worry about?
Matthew: The podcast thing.
Kade: Yeah, you shouldn’t worry about podcasting.
Matthew: Yeah. At all.
Kade: What should they take seriously?
Matthew: Everything. Work.
Kade: What helps you succeed in fifth grade?
Matthew: Not messing around and trying hard.
Kade: What would you do differently?
Matthew: Talking back.
Kade: Talking back to teachers?
Matthew: Yeah. Talking back to teachers and adults.
Kade: What is one mistake students should avoid?
Matthew: Talking and not listening.
Kade: What is one thing that made your year better?
Kade: Going with Mackie.
Matthew: Yeah. That’s kind of the same thing for me. He talked to me about starting to listen more, and now I get prizes sometimes.
Kade: Me too.
Kade: What is one habit that helped you?
Matthew: Listening.
Kade: Deep breaths helped me.
Kade: What should students do on the first day of school?
Matthew: Be good.
Kade: Yeah. Be good.
Kade: What should next year’s students do to make this podcast great?
Matthew: Be great and know how to communicate.
Kade: Yeah.
Kade: What advice do you have for speaking on the mic?
Matthew: Speak loud, do your best, and don’t be scared.
Kade: Yeah, because if you’re scared, then you might freeze up.
Matthew: But if you’re not scared, then you’ll probably do good.
Kade: Then you’ll just be talking like how we’re talking now.
Matthew: Yeah.
Kade: What makes a good podcast episode?
Matthew: Agreeing and talking.
Kade: Yeah. Like conversations.
You have one conversation and then another conversation builds on top of it.
Matthew: Yeah. You need to know what the other person is saying too.
Kade: What should students not do?
Matthew: Talk quietly.
Kade: Yeah. If you mess around too much—
Matthew: Then it’s probably not going to go good.
Kade: Yeah. You might get your part cut off if you’re messing around too much.
Matthew: This might even go on your grade.
Kade: Why does student voice matter?
Matthew: Student voice matters because it’s really strong.
Kade: Yeah. Students need to communicate and talk louder instead of staying quiet.
Matthew: Yeah. Louder.
Kade: What should the next class continue doing?
Matthew: Good listening.
Kade: Alright.
Matthew: Alright.
Kade: We’re passing the mic to you.
Thanks for listening to The BAGO Mic. Remember, your voice matters, our story matters, and you matter.
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