MindShift Podcast

The Lasting Impact of Full-Length Reading Nov 12, 2024

Journalist Rose Horowitch and Author Danielle Bayard Jackson join KQED's Nimah Gobir in conversation to explore the problem of reading stamina in college students.

How the Mentor Mindset Can Help Adults Show Up Better for Tweens and Teens Oct 08, 2024

David Yeager is a professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and an expert in behavioral science. He just published a book titled “10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People.” He joins KQED's Ki Sung in conversation to share strategies adults can use to get into the best mindset for helping adolescents be their best selves.

Why Poetry Is Making a Comeback in Schools Sep 24, 2024

Hanif Abduraqqib. Sarah Kay. Elizabeth Acevedo. Clint Smith. Do any of these names sound familiar? How about Amanda Gorman? All of these writers are part of America’s thriving contemporary poetry scene. But you won’t find them in many text books, because high school poetry units tend to focus on dead poets, like Robert Frost, Walt Whitman and Edgar Allen Poe. North Carolina teacher Melissa Smith is working to change that. For the last seven years, she’s been diversifying the canon in her classroom, and encouraging other teachers to do the same with the hashtag #teachlivingpoets. The shift has inspired teachers across the country to get creative with how they teach students things like tone, rhythm and structure in poetry. And it’s inspired students to connect with and see reflections of themselves in the poets they study.

Humanizing History by Teaching with Primary Sources Sep 10, 2024

If you think of social studies as a dry, dusty march of names and dates to memorize, think again. In the last two decades, as historical records have been digitized and made accessible to the public, teachers have begun using primary sources as portals for students to connect with the real people and places that came before them. At Rockingham County Public Schools in Virginia, fourth graders learn about the Civil Rights Movement by studying photos of segregated schools in Virginia and reading diary entries of a local Black high schooler who became one of the plaintiffs in the Brown vs. the Board of Education case. In the process, these young students not only learn the facts and figures of the fight for school integration, they develop critical thinking skills that they can apply to other subjects of the past, present and future.

How to Get Kids Thinking Instead of Mimicking in Math Class Aug 27, 2024

From book bans to chronic absenteeism to phone distractions, it’s a hard time to be a teacher. But amidst all the challenges, there’s something surprising happening among math teachers. Some of them say they’re more excited to go to work than ever before. Why? Because of a new approach to teaching math called “thinking classrooms” that has students up out of their seats and engaged in problem-solving. In this episode, MindShift listeners will hear a thinking classroom in action and reflections from the teacher and her students. Listeners also will learn about this model from the researcher who developed it, Peter Liljedahl.

The Black Panther Legacy and Oakland Community Schools Aug 13, 2024

MindShift revisits the pioneering initiatives of the Black Panthers, who used a community school approach when they opened a first-of-its-kind school in East Oakland in 1973. Then we focus on Oakland Unified School District's ambitious journey to become a community school district. We’ll take a closer look at Oakland International High School (OIHS), a public high school established in 2007 that serves 100% English language learners and how they’ve successfully used the community school model to support their students.

What Role Can Schools Play in Breaking Cycles of Homelessness? Jul 30, 2024

This podcast episode explores Monarch School, a public school in San Diego County dedicated to serving unhoused students and their families. Highlighting the growing issue of homelessness among students and its adverse impact on education, we showcase Monarch School's community school model. By providing holistic support, including professionals and services co-located on the school grounds, this model has the capacity to disrupt patterns of homelessness. From addressing basic needs to offering specialized academic programs, Monarch School exemplifies the transformative power of community-driven approaches to education, offering hope and opportunity to vulnerable students.

A Research-Backed Way to Improve Student Attendance Jul 16, 2024

Not all students returned to school after the pandemic. Research shows that chronic absenteeism surged around the country. Niki Espinoza, a community school coordinator at Maple Elementary, discovered a strategy informed by Harvard research that centered collaboration with families. Using mail-based “nudges” and a social media campaign caused chronic absenteeism to decline. This episode presents an exploration of community schools, emphasizing the significance of partnerships with parents and detailing Maple Elementary's journey in overcoming attendance challenges.

MindShift Returns With Season 9! Jul 09, 2024

MindShift returns with Season 9!

Discover solutions for raising our kids in the modern era. Hear from educators and experts creating pathways for students to flourish. Subscribe to receive new episodes starting July 16.

What's Lost When Books Are Banned? May 14, 2024

We're sharing an episode from our friends at the Adult ISH podcast. In light of the latest number of attempted book bans as tracked by the American Library Association (ALA), Adult ISH hosts Nyge Turner and Dominique “Dom” French speak to Traci Thomas, host of “The Stacks” podcast, and Scott Stuart, author of “My Shadow is Purple,” about how removing access to books can cause harm.

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Dipping Into the Mindshift Mailbag May 06, 2024

We love hearing from you, our listeners, and learning how you’re putting the insights that we share into your teaching and your parenting. We like to see the way that we deliver value to your lives. If you appreciate the work that we do on Mindshift, please visit https://donate.kqed.org/podcasts to support us.

Where Are All the School Buses? Apr 09, 2024

We're sharing an episode from our friends at the Bay Curious podcast.

California has fewer school buses than in other parts of the country. A survey conducted by the Federal Highway Administration found that nationally, almost 40% of school-aged kids ride a school bus. In California, that number is only 8%. KQED's Katrina Schwartz tracks down the reason why that number is so low.

Want more great ideas about teaching and learning? Subscribe to the MindShift newsletter. https://www.kqed.org/newsletters/mindshift

How Much Phonemic Awareness Do Students Really Need? Mar 12, 2024

Education journalist, Jill Barshay of the Hechinger Report, writes a weekly column about education research called “Proof Points.” She joins KQED's Ki Sung to discuss her latest piece about phonemic awareness and why this important skill, that's at the root of learning how to read, is so hotly debated.

5 Cognitive Biases that Shape Classroom Interactions - and How to Overcome Them Feb 13, 2024

Educator, Tricia Ebarvia advocates for a more complete way of seeing ourselves, one another and curricula. She just published a book titled “Get Free: Antibias Literacy Instruction for Stronger Readers, Writers, and Thinkers." She joins KQED's Ki Sung in conversation to unpack bias, which is all around us, and to share tips on how teachers can enable students to improve their reading and writing skills.

Bettina Love Explains How Policy Ended a 'Glorious' Era in Black Ed Jan 09, 2024

In "Punished for Dreaming," Bettina Love reflects on a 'glorious' era in Black education, unraveling historical nuances and consequences of policy decisions that led to its decline. Through insightful analysis, she navigates the challenges faced by Black students and educators, offering solutions for a more equitable educational future.

Nurturing Students’ Academic Identities in Uncertain Times Dec 12, 2023

Miriam Plotinsky, an instructional coach, author, and former high school English teacher, discusses her latest book, Writing Their Future Selves: Instructional Strategies to Affirm Student Identity. It contains a wealth of tools for classroom teachers including journal prompts, discussion formats and some of Plotinsky's favorite writing games.

How to Build a Safe Space to Discuss Students’ Names Nov 14, 2023

Matthew R. Kay and Jennifer Orr discuss how they turn simple conversations about students’ names into opportunities for connection and self-discovery.

Phyllis Fagell's Tools to Unleash Middle School Superpowers Oct 24, 2023

Phyllis Fagell, Psychotherapist and author of the new book “Middle School Superpowers: Raising Resilient Tweens in Turbulent Times," talks about why middle school is the last best chance to impress social skills and values upon kids; plus she’ll share some developmentally appropriate tools parents and educators can use to better understand their tweens, cultivate a sense of belonging and help them when they get into trouble.

Dear Math: You Are Terrible and Wonderful Sep 26, 2023

MindShift spotlights a teacher who encourages students to name their feelings and share their past experiences – the highs and the lows – by writing letters to math. This activity launches a yearlong process of building a classroom culture where all students feel confident to share their ideas and problem-solving strategies. The episode features excerpts from “Dear Math” letters, insights from math education experts, and reflections from two alumni about how the class shaped their mathematical identities.

How Green Schoolyards Can Turn Schools into 3D Textbooks Sep 12, 2023

Most people are familiar with snow and rain as reasons to cancel recess. But what about canceling recess because it’s too sunny? Playgrounds in California are heating up. And with asphalt blacktops and metal monkey bars, kids are forced to skip outdoor activities to avoid getting burned on school yards that can reach up to 140 degrees. One solution to this problem is to green schoolyards by adding trees, gardens, and other vegetation. Green schoolyards not only help reduce heat island effects but also provide a wealth of educational opportunities. By using the schoolyard as a 3D textbook, students can learn about climate change, sustainability, and other academic topics through hands-on experiences. For example, students can learn about water conservation by monitoring rain gardens or composting food waste in the school garden. Additionally, green schoolyards can provide a safe and stimulating environment for students to learn, play, and connect with nature, promoting mental and physical health.

The Right Way to Say “I’m Sorry” Aug 29, 2023

We all know how it feels to get a bad apology. “I’m sorry if,” “I’m sorry but,” and other ways people skirt real acknowledgement of wrongdoing. Effective apologies require empathy, perspective-taking, honesty and courage, and making amends is an important habit for healthy school communities. In this episode, MindShift talks with two authors who analyze apologies in the news for a website called SorryWatch. Then we meet a fifth-grade teacher who teaches her students a seven-step formula for apologies through role-playing and class discussions. Her students not only learn to recognize and enact good apologies – they also share that knowledge on the playground and with their families at the dinner table.

Inclusive Dress Codes: A Challenge and an Opportunity Aug 15, 2023

In recent years, dress codes have been undergoing significant shifts in many schools across the nation. With language targeting hair, visible skin, and footwear, dress codes are often touted as promoting professionalism and eliminating distractions in the classroom. However, policies around dress codes are receiving pushback from students and parents for disproportionately impacting students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and students from low-income backgrounds. In response to student-led research, one Washington DC-based school decided to center input from students to reevaluate their policies to ensure they are inclusive and respectful of all students. In this episode, MindShift investigates the reasons behind creating rules around what students wear, whether dress codes work the way adults hope they do, and one school’s process of creating a more relaxed dress code.

How Extroverted Teachers Can Engage Introverted Students Aug 01, 2023

As educators move away from sage-on-the-stage instruction, their first step is often to foster more student discussion. A talkative classroom might be a mark of success in student-centered learning, but it doesn’t mean every student is engaged. In this episode, MindShift visits a language arts classroom where an extroverted teacher has developed creative ways of inviting introverted students to share their thinking. We also hear from an education researcher who says we should view student engagement as a continuum, and from a teacher who uses that continuum to better understand how students are driving their learning.

Uncovering Healthy Relationships With Consent Education Jul 18, 2023

Age-appropriate consent education involves much more than navigating sexual activity. It can show up in situations as mundane as sharing fries, asking someone to dance at prom, or initiating a romantic relationship. By teaching students how to ask for and give enthusiastic consent, they can navigate these situations in a way that ensures both parties feel comfortable and respected. In this episode, MindShift explores how teaching consent in school empowers students to set boundaries and express their emotions.

The MindShift team includes Nimah Gobir, Kara Newhouse, Ki Sung, Marlena Jackson-Retondo, Chris Hambrick, and Seth Samuel. MindShift is supported in part by the generosity of the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation and members of KQED. Jen Chien is the director of podcasts. Katie Sprenger is Podcast Operations Manager. Audience Engagement Support from Cesar Saldaña. Holly Kernan is KQED’s Chief Content Officer.

Mindshift is Back with Season 8! Jul 11, 2023

MindShift is back with Season 8!

Hear from educators and experts creating pathways for students to flourish.

Subscribe to receive new episodes starting July 18.

Many Students Are Using Study Strategies That Don't Work — and Better Options Exist May 24, 2023

Our guest, University of Virginia Professor Daniel Willingham, is the author of a new book to help us break the cycle of ineffective learning habits. In “Outsmart Your Brain,” he gives tips on how to listen when you’re sitting in a lecture, how to take notes that work for you, and how to study to retain information.

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How Centering Joy Can Make Learning More Relevant to Students and Teachers Apr 18, 2023

Gholdy Muhammad is Professor of Literacy, Language and Culture at the University of Illinois and the author of Unearthing Joy: A Guide to Culturally and Historically, Responsive Teaching and Learning. She talks about joy in an educational context and how teachers can specifically incorporate joy into their work.

How Youth Sports Became a Feast or Famine World Mar 21, 2023

Running coach and author, Linda Flanagan, talks about her book, “Take Back the Game: How Money and Mania are Ruining Kids’ Sports and Why It Matters," and gives tips on how parents can tell when they've gone too far.

Books Can Help Kids Practice Being Brave Feb 21, 2023

Caldecott and Newbery Honoree Grace Lin and bestselling author Kate Messner talk about their new book “Once Upon A Book” and share advice on how to help kids cultivate a love of reading.

Unlocking Students’ STEM Identities Jan 24, 2023

Chris Emdin, is the Robert A. Naslund Endowed Chair in Curriculum & Teaching and a professor of education at the University of Southern California. He tells us how we might reimagine STEM subjects to be more inclusive and how to teach in a way that creates young people with strong STEM identities.

Classroom Management as a Curriculum Dec 27, 2022

Carla Shalaby, a former public school teacher who trains educators at the University of Michigan’s School of Education, offers new ways for teachers to think about classroom management.

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This episode was reported by Nimah Gobir. MindShift is produced by Ki Sung, Nimah Gobir and Kara Newhouse. Seth Samuel is our sound designer. Additional support from Chris Hambrick, Jen Chien, Ethan Toven- Lindsey and Holly Kernan.

How Community Schools Can Support Teachers and Families Sep 27, 2022

The pandemic has revealed that teachers have been doing more than just teaching students academics. Long before COVID-19 school closures, teachers were storing snacks in their desk drawer for the occasional hungry student or keeping their classroom open to kids during lunch. While many schools do not have systems in place to support teachers’ often invisible work, the community school model provides some strategies to lighten the load on schools and their educators. California is investing big in the model and the rest of the country is watching to see how it plays out.

Additional Reading:

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This episode was reported by Nimah Gobir. MindShift is produced by Ki Sung, Nimah Gobir, Jessica Plazcek and Katrina Schwartz. Seth Samuel is our sound designer. Additional support from Kyana Moghadam, Jen Chien, Gerald Fermin, Ethan Lindsey and Holly Kernan.

Heritage Languages in U.S Schools: A Story of Identity, Belonging and Loss Sep 13, 2022

What do schools and teachers need to know when they have students whose home language is not the one spoken at school? We look at ways teachers can guard against loss of heritage languages, ways to support outside the classroom, and how to keep families involved at school. Plus, how these strategies can help English language learners thrive in the classroom.

Additional Reading:

Heritage Languages in U.S. Schools
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This episode was reported by Kyana Moghadam. MindShift is produced by Ki Sung, Nimah Gobir, Jessica Plazcek and Katrina Schwartz. Seth Samuel is our sound designer. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Gerald Fermin, Ethan Lindsey and Holly Kernan.

Yikes! The Kiddos Are Angry Aug 30, 2022

Across the country, teachers are seeing angry kids. With students returning to in-person learning, there has been an uptick in disruptive behavior, fighting and frustration. Educators are taking the brunt of it with 6 in 10 teachers reporting they've experienced physical violence or verbal aggression since the pandemic. Experts point to regression, lack of socialization, and trauma caused from navigating COVID-19 as reasons students are acting out. While there are no quick fixes, teachers and students alike may find answers in a multi-tiered system of support model and restorative justice practices, which focus on improving school culture as a precursor to addressing challenging behavior.

Additional Reading:

Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by donating!

This episode was reported by Nimah Gobir. MindShift is produced by Ki Sung, Nimah Gobir, Jessica Plazcek and Katrina Schwartz. Seth Samuel is our sound designer. Additional support from Kyana Moghadam, Jen Chien, Gerald Fermin, Ethan Lindsey and Holly Kernan.

Middle School: The Age of Opportunity Aug 16, 2022

A growing body of research shows when kids are between 10-12 their brains go through an explosive period of development that makes them susceptible to influence, for better or worse. Experts call it the "age of opportunity" because what happens during this time can lead a child towards greatness, but it can also introduce intractable bad habits. Parents get plenty of advice on how to deal with teens, but little when it comes to tweens. Schools also play an important role in shaping adolescent minds by cultivating positive experiences. We talk with psychologists and a Middle School Teacher of the Year about how to make the most of growth at this age.

This episode was reported by Ki Sung. The MindShift podcast is produced by Nimah Gobir, Ki Sung, Jessical Plazcek, Katrina Schwartz and Seth Samuel. Additional support from Kyana Moghadam, Jen Chien, Erika Kelly and Gerald Fermin.

School Bells or Nah? Aug 02, 2022

Remote learning was far from ideal, but it did open the door for schools to approach the school day day in new ways. We explore the research on teen sleep and what that means for school start times, as well as the promise and peril of the four day school week. Research shows shortening the school week doesn’t necessarily improve student outcomes, but it may alleviate teacher burnout. Finally, we look at the history of the school bell, how it shapes learning and whether it’s time for the final toll.

Additional Reading:

How Do You Stop Cheating Students? (Hint: Tech Isn’t the Only Answer) Jul 19, 2022

During remote learning, students had to use virtual proctoring tools to take their tests online. These apps and software can be as extreme as using artificial intelligence to track a students eye movements and keystrokes or as simple as a lockdown browser that prevents students from accessing other pages during the test. Students and caregivers have raised concerns about school pressures, racial bias, privacy and mental health. The rise of these tools and their defects brings up some bigger questions too: Where does trusting students come in? Is it time to change the way schools test altogether?

Additional Reading:

Back With Season Seven! Jul 05, 2022

What do students really need in order to learn? MindShift is where teachers, parents and caregivers can discover solutions for raising our kids in the modern era. Hear from educators and experts creating pathways for students to flourish. The first episode of an all new season drops Tuesday, July 19.

Check out MindShift's back catalogue!

MindShift Presents “Who Wants to Be a Teacher” From the Educate Podcast May 03, 2022

Today, we’re looking at a huge problem in education: teacher shortages. Across the US, schools are struggling to fill teaching roles. Large numbers of teachers are quitting after only a short time on the job, and 9 out of 10 teachers hired are replacing a teacher who has left the profession. The high turnover means more classrooms are run by beginner teachers, substitute teachers, emergency teachers and teachers from new, for-profit teacher training companies. This story is an excerpt from the four-part series, “Who Wants to Be a Teacher” from the Educate podcast at APM Reports.

To listen to the full series visit the Who Want to Be a Teacher project page:

https://www.apmreports.org/episode/2021/07/28/who-wants-to-be-a-teacher

The 'Great Resignation' for Teens Apr 05, 2022

After reflecting in isolation, millions of adults got fed up and voluntarily quit their jobs in record numbers, and teenagers have also been ready for a change. But what does that look like? Today on MindShift, we’re talking to Caroline Smith about the great resignation and what that looks like for schools.

Does My Kid Have a Tech Addiction? Mar 01, 2022

With social distancing, stay-at-home orders and remote learning during the pandemic, many caregivers allowed more screen time than usual. Teenagers’ screen time doubled during COVID, and now many caregivers and parents are afraid their kid’s screen time has gone overboard. Dr. Anna Lembke, author of “Dopamine Nation,” makes the case for how technology, with its promise of nonstop engagement and flashing lights, can be addictive.

Student Proposals on How to Rethink School Feb 01, 2022

MindShift partnered with KQED Education to create the "Rethink Schools" youth media challenge. Here are a few of the student proposals.

Retaining and Sustaining Black Teachers Jan 04, 2022

Nested within the national teacher shortage is an equally concerning Black teacher shortage. In response to push out factors that cause Black educators to leave the profession altogether, Mosley founded the Black Teacher Project, an organization that supports the shrinking population of Black teachers through leadership-focused professional development. In this minisode she shares the thinking behind their tagline “Every Student Deserves A Black Teacher” and strategies to improve Black teacher retention.

In Defense of Fidgeting Dec 07, 2021

We spend a lot of time thinking about how to improve our brains -- from apps to help you focus to games that purportedly keep your mind fresh. But science journalist Annie Murphy Paul says we’re not focusing enough on what’s happening outside of the brain -- with our bodies. When it comes to work that is all about thinking -- like writing, math, reading -- our society is largely designed around sitting still at a desk. Annie will share some of the latest research on embodied learning and how teachers and parents can apply some of those findings at home.

Is It Ok for Teachers to Cry in Class? Nov 02, 2021

Most teachers feel they have to hide negative emotions from students. That puts them in a tough situation because - as we showed in our episode on toxic positivity - research shows suppressing negative emotions can make stress worse. In this minisode, we look at what happens when teachers show their real emotions in class, from the highs to the lows.

A Framework for Conversations About Race in Schools Sep 28, 2021

Glenn Singleton is the author of “Courageous Conversations About Race,” which gives helpful ground rules when talking about race. One Florida school district taught Singleton’s techniques to all their educators so they could develop cultural competency and address systemic inequities. What can their experience teach others?

How Do You Cultivate Genius In All Students? Sep 14, 2021

Gholdy Muhammad, a teacher and professor at Georgia State University, spent years researching Black literary societies of the early 1800s, where people debated ideas, cultivated a deeper understanding of themselves and thought critically about change needed in the world. From this model, Muhammad developed the historically responsive literacy framework to help teachers and parents raise the geniuses of tomorrow.

How to Improve Mental Health at School Aug 31, 2021

For many students, their mental health took a nosedive during the pandemic. But there are bright spots. One Oakland school was able to meet most students' mental health needs – and it didn’t call for anything too drastic.

Could Data Science Diversify the STEM Field? Aug 17, 2021

There’s a growing movement to teach data science in schools. Some experts hope it will disrupt the dropouts caused by other math classes and even lead to more diversity in STEM. In this episode, we study how educators have designed the classes to be more engaging for women and people from groups underrepresented in STEM.

Down With Toxic Positivity! Aug 03, 2021

The pandemic has pushed many educators to their limits. And yet, some teachers are being told a better attitude could make the job easier. Some call this toxic positivity, which is when you focus on the positive and ignore the negative. In this episode, we look at how teachers can combat toxic positivity and help their classrooms avoid a culture of it.

Grades Have Huge Impact, But Are They Effective? Jul 20, 2021

By fall 2020, in districts around the country, high school students were failing classes at greater rates than before the pandemic, dragging down GPAs. Teachers are asking: is it time to reevaluate how we grade? Learn common misconceptions about grades in this episode and possible new directions.

MindShift is Back with Season Six! Jul 13, 2021

As we begin a third school year in the coronavirus pandemic, the MindShift team examines sustaining teaching practices that can help educators and their students. This season, we’ll bring you stories and strategies that helped school communities prioritize what’s important in a child’s education. We also welcome Nimah Gobir as co-host!

The crises of 2020 created opportunities for change in how teachers grade and how school leaders treat their staff. But not everyone made adjustments, and that led to a spike in Fs on report cards and teacher burnout.

Ki Sung fact-checks some entrenched beliefs about grading practices and reports on more helpful – and more accurate – ways teachers can grade what students learn. Nimah takes us to a school that’s been proactive about student mental health and seeing the benefits of local partnerships. You’ll also hear from teachers who are struggling with toxic positivity and how to overcome it. We’ll also cover data science in math education, cultivating genius in all students and how school communities can have real conversations about race.

Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul: Using 'Stamped (For Kids)' to Talk About Race May 11, 2021

For parents and teachers looking for a resource on how to talk about race with kids, there's a new book called "Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You." It's written by educator Dr. Sonja Cherry Paul and is for 7 to 12 year old children. This book is an adaptation of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds' book "Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You."

Mindshift Presents OPB's Class of 2025 Jan 19, 2021

Once schools went fully remote, learning online during the pandemic became a major struggle for so many students. However, for some students, being online and away from distractions at school helped them do better academically.

How Families are Pushing Schools to Teach Reading Skills More Effectively Sep 08, 2020

As a child, Connie Williams learned to read using the “whole word” strategy, which has since been disproven as an effective technique. She graduated high school in Oakland, Calif., but she was functionally illiterate. Since then, her children and grandchildren have attended Oakland public schools, all of them struggling to learn to read. And it wasn’t just her family -- the district is failing thousands of kids. Now, Connie Williams is part of a movement of families advocating for phonics instruction, hoping that different teaching strategies will help their kids finally learn how to read well enough to access the rest of their education. After all, equal access to education is supposed to be a civil right.

How Fan Fiction Inspires Kids to Read and Write and Write and Write Aug 25, 2020

For many students, writing can be tedious, especially after years of boring grammar, spelling and structure drills. But for kids who have discovered fan fiction, writing about something they’re already passionate about can ignite countless hours of creative writing, music and art.

How Culturally Relevant Teaching Can Build Relationships When Students Are Home During Distance Learning Aug 11, 2020

Culturally relevant teaching strategies help make learning more meaningful to the lives of students and address some of the equity issues in curriculum. When schools closed in March because of COVID-19, about 150 teachers from around the country began creating a resource document to share ideas that would engage students in learning through the events happening in their lives. Students at Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School in New York City were at the heart of the worst outbreak in the country. English Teacher Anthony Voulgarides assigned pandemic journaling to his students, never imagining how crucial those assignments would become to students as they process their feelings and document the loss and isolation COVID-19 has had on their families and their community.

Prom? Canceled. Graduation? Online. High Schoolers Share Their Worlds With Us Jul 28, 2020

Seniors missed out on prom, signing yearbooks, sharing the news of college acceptances with friends and teachers in person, and walking across the graduation stage in front of their family and friends. Juniors took AP tests at home and worried what this would mean for their futures. Hear what students recorded in their audio journals as they adjust their expectations for this school year and the future.

Further Reading:

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This episode was reported by Katrina Schwartz. MindShift is produced by Ki Sung, Katrina Schwartz, Jessica Placzek, and Seth Samuel. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Kyana Moghadam, Ethan Lindsey, Vinnee Tong, and Holly Kernan. Special thanks this week to Genevieve Schweitzer, Julisa Gomez Reyes, Qadir Scott, and Taila Lee.

How Learning Emotional Skills Can Help Boys Become Men Jul 14, 2020

When Ashanti Branch started the Ever Forward Club, he was a high school math teacher trying to figure out why the young men in his classes weren’t succeeding. He found they were craving what he desired as a kid too -- a safe place to be themselves, to show emotion, to get support without fear of judgment. When Ashanti gave them that, their success surprised everyone. It’s now his life’s work to support other educators to create spaces where boys can be vulnerable, share their feelings, and feel supported by other boys.

More Resources

How Learning Emotional Skills Can Help Boys Become Men
Ever Forward/Siempre Adelante Mask Activity
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This episode was reported by Katrina Schwartz. MindShift is made by Ki Sung, Katrina Schwartz, Jessica Placzek, and Seth Samuel. Additional support from Erika Aguilar, Kyana Moghadam, Amielle Major, Ethan Lindsey, and Vinnee Tong.

MindShift Podcast is Back with Season Five! Jul 07, 2020

We’re here just in time to unpack some of the extraordinary circumstances created by emergency distance learning and the COVID-19 pandemic. This season, you’ll hear how teachers and students prioritized what mattered most as school closures dragged on during shelter-in-place.

Ki Sung reports on a journal assignment that helped teachers stay in touch with students and check in on their welfare while living in a coronavirus hotspot. Katrina Schwartz will give you an intimate listen into some of the experiences students were having during shelter-in-place, including what it was like to take an AP test in a distracting home environment. The Class of 2020 missed out on major milestones, but found small ways to find joy and connection.

KQED News education reporter Vanessa Rancaño reports on intergenerational illiteracy and how one grandmother is sharing her story in order to change how reading is taught to children. You'll also hear about how boys are learning emotional intelligence skills online and the role of fan fiction in creating imaginative worlds for adolescents.

Where Did All These Teen Activists Come From? Oct 29, 2019

Teenagers are demanding to be heard on the issues that matter most to them including climate change, gun control, abortion and immigration. What's different now and what role does public education play?

How Art Can Help Center a Student’s Learning Experience Oct 15, 2019

Art has often been relegated as an additional activity in schools. But schools that put art at the center of a child's learning experience through arts integration are seeing kids thrive.

How Students Would Improve Their School Lunch Experience Oct 01, 2019

Adults have designed how kids eat at school for generations, directing students into single-file lines and seating them at long roll-away tables to eat mass-produced food. This is all about efficiency in order to feed hundreds of young people in a matter of minutes. However, baked into the process of feeding kids efficiently are bad food choices, waste, social anxiety and social isolation. Lunch hasn't been working for all students so schools are asking students to design a better lunch experience with the help of design thinking strategies.

Teaching 6-Year-Olds About Privilege and Power Sep 17, 2019

Privilege and power play out in the world all around us everyday. And kids notice. First grade teacher Bret Turner has decided not to avoid the difficult conversations and questions his students bring to class. Instead, he's weaving issues of privilege and power into everything he does.

Childhood As ‘Resume Building’: Why Play Needs A Comeback Sep 03, 2019

The kind of free play grown-ups had in previous generations is looked at with nostalgia in today’s era of adult-supervised activities. Children are missing out on the benefits of unstructured play, but a group of dedicated educators are trying to give kids back their play time. For one day in February, class time is dedicated to play time via the Global School Play Day movement. In 2019, more than 530,000 students participated around the world.

How Can Schools Help Kids With Anxiety? Aug 20, 2019

Anxiety is running rampant in high schools around the country, both rich and poor. The driving factors may be different, but it’s the same lonely, debilitating feeling. It makes it hard for students to learn and to deal with life. Katrina Schwartz takes us inside the experience of anxiety from two teens’ perspectives and shares strategies educators and parents can use to help them cope.

MindShift Podcast is Back With Season Four! Aug 13, 2019

We asked what issues matter to you most and we listened. The fourth season of the MindShift podcast dives into the question: How can we bring joy back to learning and teaching?

Dropping Out and Coming Back: Stories of Persevering for a Diploma Nov 20, 2018

Close to 24-percent of Oakland ninth graders drop out before their senior year of high school. Some of those young people ultimately decide that they need to go back to school in order to get ahead in life. We explore what it takes to support over-aged students to a high school diploma -- and college or a career -- when they’re facing homelessness, juggling family responsibilities, or are navigating criminal records. We hear the stories of three young people: why they dropped out and what brought them back.

How Teachers Designed a School Centered On Caring Relationships Nov 06, 2018

Ask almost any teacher why they teach and they'll give you similar answers: they love the kids. But what does that love look like when it's a community value, shared by every adult in the building, no matter how difficult it feels? At Social Justice Humanitas Academy in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley, love is baked into everything from academic probation to math class. And it's making a difference for the mostly Latino, mostly low-income student population. We explore how Social Justice Humanitas has found success where so many others struggle.

The Role of Community in Creating and Healing Trauma in Kids Oct 23, 2018

When kids live in violence-prone neighborhoods, the environment can enable trauma in their lives. One youth center in Richmond, California, is seeking to change the community’s culture by providing something to young people that’s sometimes missing in their schools and home lives: love and support. The RYSE Center is teaching a generation of young people -- and adults -- what it means to have a path for improvement for themselves and their community.

Overcoming Childhood Trauma: How Parents and Schools Work to Stop the Cycle Sep 25, 2018

Many people have experienced some kind of trauma in their childhood, such as loss of a caregiver, substance abuse in the home, homelessness or abuse. There are ten types of trauma classified as “Adverse Childhood Experiences” that came to light in a study conducted in the 1990s, which found higher rates of illness in adults associated with the amount of trauma people experienced as children. In this episode, you’ll hear how a school in Butte County, California takes a trauma-informed approach to educating students. You’ll also hear how a mother who’s experienced eight childhood traumas works with a therapist to find healing as she raises her own daughter.

Why Ninth Grade Can Be a Big Shock For High School Students Sep 12, 2018

High school is an important time in the life of any teen: hormones are raging, social cliques are forming and the pressure is on to develop a college resume. Teens gain more independence as they get older, but adults also expect more from teens without providing as much of the nurturing and guidance of their earlier years. Starting high school is a big transition, and it turns out, the ninth grade a pivotal moment for teens’ potential success or failure in high school. At Hillsdale High School in San Mateo, California, educators are combating “ninth grade shock” by developing the kind of community kids don’t want to miss.

Can Inviting Teachers Over to Your Home Improve How Kids Learn? Aug 28, 2018

Teachers can go an entire school year and only see a child’s parent once: on back to school night. And most parents are conditioned to think the worst when they get a phone call from the school. But what if teachers and parents could build trust with each other earlier? Teachers at schools in at least 20 states are visiting families in their homes to break the ice and occasionally, some bread.

MindShift Podcast Season 3 is Coming Soon! Aug 15, 2018

This season, we investigate the intangible, and often overlooked, elements of academic success: emotional safety, trust, and relationships. You’ll hear how teacher home visits can help parents see themselves as a valued a partner in their child’s education; how far a public high school goes to develop an inclusive experience for the crucial transition to ninth grade; how parents and schools can address childhood trauma so it doesn’t become an obstacle to learning, and what parents and communities can do to help kids grow. Join us for new episodes beginning August 28, or catch up on earlier ones that are still relevant today.

Courage To Change: What It Takes to Shift to Restorative Discipline Oct 24, 2017

The KIPP charter school network has made a name for itself preparing kids from low-income communities for college. Its early years were marked by strict and controversial discipline policies meant to hold students to a rigorous standard of behavior. But KIPP Bay Area Schools are leading the network away from this model in favor of restorative discipline practices that build a school culture of understanding, trust and respect.

How Listening to Podcasts Helps Students Read and Learn Oct 11, 2017

High School English teacher Michael Godsey found the Serial podcast so compelling, he stopped teaching his favorite work of Shakespeare to teach the wildly popular podcast instead. What does audio have to do with learning traditional English skills? Godsey’s students helped him discover a new side of literacy.

Be The Change You Want To See Sep 26, 2017

Catlin Tucker and Marika Neto hoped that by redesigning the classroom experience they could shift what students value about learning. Instead of being focused on grades and points, they're pushing students to see the value in self-reflection, self-assessment, and creative thinking. At Windsor High School, Tucker and Neto created a program in which they share sixty students, a mix of freshman and sophomores, every other day. The interdisciplinary program blends science, English and technology learning standards into projects, and students are given more choice and independence over how and what they learn.

Stepping Back from Overparenting: A Stanford Dean’s Perspective Sep 12, 2017

Parents are essential to a child’s development. But when parents get too involved in helping and directing a child’s every move, they can end up doing more harm than good. Former Stanford dean of freshman Julie Lythcott-Haims saw first-hand how parents were interfering with the lives of their college-aged children and keeping them from maturing into self-reliant adults.

A Whole School Approach to Behavior Issues Aug 29, 2017

When Principal Michael Essien arrived at Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Middle School in San Francisco, he knew his first order of business would be helping teachers struggling to handle routine disruptions to class. But rather than kicking students out of class, he’s trying to a new approach—bringing counselors inside classrooms to help teachers de-escalate conflicts.

A Preview of the MindShift Podcast Aug 25, 2017

We’re back! MindShift is back with a new season of podcast episodes featuring educators, parents and students who are developing effective ways to teach and learn. Listen to this preview of what’s next.

The Epic April Fool’s Day Prank Mar 15, 2016

Teachers Alex Fernandez and Al Julius set up their students for an April Fool’s Day prank that ultimately landed Mr. Julius in handcuffs. Once the prank was over, the teachers learned about their students’ character in ways they didn't anticipate.

What Makes a Teacher Special to a Student? Feb 23, 2016

Great teachers are constantly evaluating what works to help their students learn. But teachers don’t often hear what impact they have made on students.

In a rare treat, we hear from one former student reading from a journal he kept during middle school. Patrick Don wrote several journal entries about his favorite teacher, Mr. Albert, who grew to become his friend. Don read some of these entries on stage at a Mortified Live event in Baltimore, and this reading was turned into a Mortified podcast episode, “Tribute To Teachers’ Pets.”

Don spent many years looking for Mr. Albert online and on social media but was unable to locate him. We here at MindShift also searched for Mr. Albert, found him, and brought Mr. Albert and Pat together via Skype to listen to the Mortified podcast episode together and talk nearly 17 years after those original journal entries. What we discovered was delightful.

The Coach Feb 10, 2016

For high school science teacher and basketball coach Jim Clark, coaching went beyond the classroom and the court. More than ten years later, he’s still a big support for one of his former athletes, Marcus Williams, who wouldn’t let go of his dream of becoming a doctor.

Questions Adolescent Boys Ask About Puberty Feb 03, 2016

For boys, the world of puberty is often a silent one when it comes to meaningful conversations with their dads and adult caregivers. Health educator Dr. Rob Lehman empowers dads and demonstrates helpful ways to answer a boy’s wide-ranging concerns about puberty, including myths about masturbation. He teaches in the Seattle area through his company, "Great Conversations."

The Puberty Lady Jan 26, 2016

Sex education is supposed to be for the kids, but Julie Metzger, known as "The Puberty Lady," also targets her message to moms who are often the ones feeling awkward talking about puberty. A mother and daughter open up about their journey of feeling empowered to talk about sex.

Wet Sundays Jan 26, 2016

The first year of teaching can be so tough, a teacher can't help but cry on Sundays. Sadie Guthrie recalls her first year of teaching special education and surviving with the help of her mom, boyfriend, and the inspiration she found in her incredible students.

The Creative Writing Assignment Jan 26, 2016

When English teacher Alexa Schlechter gave an assignment to her high school students asking them to think about their personal memoirs, she received details about a student’s life that stunned her.

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