The Teaching Species

How the First 1,000 Days Shape a Lifetime

Can a baby's earliest days wire the brain for a lifetime? What is the role of nature vs. nurture? The director of Princeton's Baby Lab, Casey Lew-Williams shares research and wisdom for caregivers.

Comprehension of Expository Texts

They can read the words. But how much do they understand? How do we support comprehension when the text is not structured like a story?

Unleash Your Socrates

He taught with no books, no classroom, and no grades. In this episode, we break down the Socratic Method, and how to use it to make your classroom a place where students think, question, and wonder.

Centering Voice in the Teaching of Writing

Writing voice cannot be taught in the way that grammar or structure can. But it can be nurtured through thoughtful instruction. Acclaimed children’s author Gita Varadarajan shares tips for inviting authenticity and playfulness into the writing classroom.

When Bright Students Switch Off

Why do so many bright students lose faith in school and stop engaging? In this episode, we talk with veteran educator Kathy Collins about what happens when kids conclude the system isn’t worth believing in. We explore how high achievers can become disillusioned, why they sometimes withdraw or resist learning, and how teachers can rebuild trust so students see school as a place where thinking still matters. Resources: * Hal Gregorson question burst [https://halgregersen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Question-Burst-Guide.pdf]