In which Dan talks about the challenges facing girls today--and reasons for optimism--with Donna Jackson Nakazawa. Donna is the author of seven books, most recently Girls on the Brink: Helping Our Daughters Thrive in an Era of Increased Anxiety, Depression, and Social Media. Dan and Donna talk about the multitude of stressors facing girls today and how their biology uniquely interacts with that stress. Then they talk about some of the implications for schools before turning to what Donna calls "antidotes", strategies and mindsets for the adults in girls' lives to help them thrive.As always I welcome comments and questions on Instagram, Threads, and X @BigIdeaEdMentioned in the show:Girls on the Brink: Helping Our Daughters Thrive in an Era of Increased Anxiety, Depression, and Social Media by Donna Jackson NakazawaChildhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology, and How You Can Heal by Donna Jackson NakazawaThe Angel and the Assassin: The Tiny Brain Cell That Changed the Course of Medicine by Donna Jackson NakazawaFacebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic for Teen Girls, Company Documents Show, Wall Street Journal, Sept 2021Social media is driving teen mental health crisis, surgeon general warns, NBC News, May 2023Conference to Restore Humanity 2024 from Human Restoration ProjectMusic by Stars in LA

In which Dan talks media literacy--the skills needed to responsibly decode, assess, and create media--with Tim Krueger, a Social Studies teacher in Syracuse, New York, and someone who's been doing a ton of thinking and teaching about this essential topic. The proliferation of information, misinformation, and disinformation (especially as we enter an election year), all super charged by social media, partisan divides and, now, artificial intelligence, makes now the perfect time for teachers to dive into media literacy.Mentioned in the episode:Verified: How to Think Straight, Get Duped Less, and Make Better Decisions about What to Believe Online by Mike Caulfield and Sam Wineburg"Internet at School Is Changing Work of Students--and Teachers", Washington Post, Sept, 2000Media Literacy Now, an advocacy group calling for states to mandate media literacy curriculumNews Literacy Project provides a rich bank of resources and learning platforms for teachers at all grade levelsHow to Teach Media and News Literacy with Ebonee Rice, What's the Big Idea?, Nov, 2021 Adfontes Media Bias Chart - an incredible visual tool for exploring media outlets "When Teens Find Misinformation, These Teachers Are Ready" (featuring Tim Krueger), NY Times, Sept 2022"Elections and Disinformation Are Colliding Like Never Before in 2024", NY Times, Jan 2024"Fake Joe Biden robocall tells New Hampshire Democrats not to vote Tuesday", NBC News, Jan 2024Music by Ruben Ramos

In which Dan takes a few minutes to share his thoughts on the power of putting students in a position to hear and reflect on personal stories. Drawing on recent experiences with a Holocaust survivor and an immigration unit, Dan talks about how one great avenue to authentic assessment (see also: can't be replicated by ChatGPT) and student buy-in is in-person storytelling connected to their studies.As always, I welcome comments and questions on Instagram, Threads, and X @BigIdeaEdFlash draft: n. a work of writing that is done quickly without editingMentioned in the episode:Teachers Fear ChatGPT Will Make Cheating Easier Than Ever by Rashi Shrivastava, ForbesChatGPT Is Making Universities Rethink Plagiarism by Sophia Barnett, WiredSome Ideas for Using ChatGPT in Middle and High School Classes by Geoff Richman, EdutopiaHolocaust Museum LACover photo: Joseph AlexanderEpisode music: "Imperfect" from Lofi free beats

In which Dan explores the power of outdoor experiential learning with Fulcrum Adventures, a Los Angeles-based company and leader in the team building and outdoor youth development space. Their motto is Do. Risk. Grow. Dan talks with Leo Van Warmerdam, program director, and Racine Camara,  one of Fulcrum's facilitators, about the power of learning outside, reflection, and, ultimately, letting young people be themselves.As always, I welcome comments and questions on X, Threads, and Instagram @BigIdeaEd-----------Mentioned in the show:Fulcrum AdventuresIt's time to log off and touch grass by Catriona MortonAngela Hanscom has the remedy for our kids' overly structured, overly scheduled world from What's the Big IdeaMusic by Stars in LA

In which Dan talks about puberty--that rite of passage that many of us would sooner forget--and how for kids today it looks and feels so very different from a generation ago. He talks to Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, hosts of the excellent Puberty Podcast and co-authors of the forthcoming book This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained. Dan, Cara, and Vanessa discuss the role adults play in the lives of adolescents, technology, the adolescent brain, and what schools are getting right and could do better. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter, Threads, and Instagram @BigIdeaEdMentioned in the episode:The Puberty Podcast, hosted by Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll BennettPre-order This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained Music by Stars in LA

In which Dan talks with Celeste Kirsh, middle school educator, podcast host, and Ph.D. student. Celeste is a deeply reflective and thoughtful person, and so Dan picks her brain about digital media literacy, teaching young people to write, and why we should be hopeful about the future. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @bigideaedFeatured on the show and further reading:Teaching Tomorrow Podcast, produced and hosted by Celeste KirshCivix CanadaCountering Truth Decay by RAND (a report on digital literacy)"How ChatGPT robs students of motivation to write and think for themselves" by Naomi Baron"ChatGPT will fundamentally change how we teach writing; that’s a good thing" by Christopher Mah"ChatGPT and Writing Assessment, an Old Problem Made New" by John WarnerConference to Restore Humanity from Human Restoration Project*Enter promo code BIGIDEA at checkout for a $25 discount*Music by Stars in LA

In which Dan talks with Annie Abrams, public school teacher and author of the new book Shortchanged: How Advanced Placement Cheats Students. Dan was always skeptical of the AP for reasons related to cost and its content-heavy nature, but after reading Abrams' rich analysis and critique of the program, it's clear that there's a lot more to it than that. Dan and Annie discuss why the AP has such reach in America's high schools, how teacher autonomy and student agency are damaged by AP courses, and possible solutions. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEdMentioned in the show:Shortchanged: How Advanced Placement Cheats Students by Annie AbramsCulver City eliminates honors English in attempt to reach racial equity by KQEDTime to Slay the College Board Dragon by Michael Hynesconference to restore humanity! 2023 from Human Restoration Project*enter code bigidea at checkout for a $25 discount*Music by Barry Moore

In which Dan interviews Yehudah Potok, Director of Jewish Education Program and  Lead for the Antisemitism Project at Facing History and Ourselves.  A recent uptick in antisemitism around the U.S. had Dan wondering about the state of Holocaust education, so he reached out to Facing History, which has long been a leading voice in education for authentic, deep learning around hard topics like racism and antisemitism. Dan and Yehudah discuss Facing History's unique approach to curriculum and pedagogy, the role of social media in spreading hate like antisemitism, and why, perhaps, we've done too good a job teaching the Holocaust.I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEdMentioned in the episode:Antisemitism is on the rise, and it's not just about Ye from NPRThe State of Holocaust Education in America from Moment MagazineA Convenient Hatred: The History of Antisemitism from Facing History and OurselvesHolocaust and Human Behavior from Facing History and OurselvesExplorations Workshop from Facing History and OurselvesTeaching for Justice & Equity from Facing History and OurselvesAntisemitism Explainer from Facing History and OurselvesMusic: mel unfiltered via Youtube Audio Library

In which Dan discusses history, representation, and America's blindspots with Femi Redwood (@femiredwood), journalist and host of the podcast Beyond Black History Month, which has just kicked off its second season. They talk about the very idea of Black History Month in both schools and American media, the country's reluctance to engage with history, significant topics that are being overlooked, and the importance of representation in our institutions. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEdMentioned in the show:Beyond Black History Month, hosted by Femi RedwoodFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration rejects African American AP course, ABC NewsMore Than a Month, directed by Shukree Hassan TilghmanOyotunji, South CarolinaTeaching Resources:Zinn Education ProjectFacing History and OurselvesLearning For JusticeEqual Justice InitiativeMusic: "It'll Be Alright", mel unfiltered via Youtube Audio Library

In which Dan learns all about the book adaptation process from Rebecca Stefoff (@RebeccaStefoff), author of numerous fiction and nonfiction titles. Notably, Rebecca has adapted important works by Howard Zinn, Ronald Takaki, and Charles Darwin, and her efforts have made seminal texts such as A People's History of the United States accessible for young people. Dan and Rebecca talk about her career as an author, how she goes about adapting, and why it's so vital to get these ideas in the hands of the youth.Mentioned in the episode:A Young People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn, adapted Rebecca StefoffA Different Mirror for Young People: A History of Multicultural America by Ronald Takaki, adapted by Rebecca StefoffOn the Origin of Species: Young Readers Edition by Charle Darwin, adapted by Rebecca StefoffHow to Change Everything: The Young Human's Guide to Protecting the Planet and Each Other by Naomi Klein, adapted by Rebecca StefoffAs always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEdMusic: "Que Es Extraño" by Molo via Creative Commons Media