MindShift Podcast

Teacher Jess Lifshitz noticed that her students were more enthusiastic when they told her about their everyday life than when they wrote stories for their writing unit prompts. While listening to The Moth Radio Hour, she got the idea to use that format of spoken storytelling to an audience in her classroom. She tells you, our audience, about why she wanted to help energize her students in this way.

Mindshift returns with Season 10. We’re exploring how to help kids find their voice, balance their identity, and just be kids. Hear practical tips and expert insights on how to better show up for young people in the classroom and beyond. Follow Mindshift wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://www.kqed.org/podcasts/mindshift .

This month MindShift is sharing an excerpt of an episode from our friends at KQED's Forum. Forum tells remarkable and true stories about who we are and where we live. KQED's Grace Won talks to linguist and author Michael Erard.  In his new book, Bye Bye I Love You: The Story of Our First and Last Words, Erard compiles stories from medical archives and ancient texts as well as first-hand accounts by doctors and doulas to examine why these particular words mean so much to us. Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101909002/the-stories-behind-our-first-and-last-words

Tanner Higgin, a senior educational technology researcher, Kira Bettis, a digital teaching specialist, and Steve Saltwick from Braver Angels share strategies to improve media literacy amid rising misinformation. They discuss how fostering dialogue can bridge political divides and strengthen democracy. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of media education in schools and the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives. They also explore fostering understanding in difficult conversations and the role of identity in media interpretation.

Vietnamese children’s book illustrator Minnie Phan talks to KQED's Ki Sung about using art to process events and heal wounds in the Vietnamese diaspora.

In this engaging discussion, Nancy Cushen White, an experienced educator and language therapist, sheds light on the pivotal role of handwriting in literacy development. She contrasts traditional handwriting methods with digital approaches, emphasizing how writing by hand boosts memory and language skills. The conversation also touches on the decline of cursive writing and its educational implications. Through anecdotes, Nancy illustrates effective teaching strategies, revealing the joy and importance of nurturing handwriting in today's screen-centric world.

Jenny Anderson, a longtime journalist specializing in learning, and Rebecca Winthrop, a Georgetown professor focused on universal education, delve into the complexities of teen disengagement. They explore the different modes of engagement, such as 'passenger' and 'resistor' modes, and emphasize the importance of autonomy in reigniting student motivation. The conversation highlights the disconnect between adult perceptions and teen experiences, offering strategies for parents and educators to empower teens for better academic and emotional outcomes.

Ruth Whippman, author of "Boy Mom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity" talks to KQED's Nimah Gobir about the biggest challenges facing boys today, and actionable steps parents and educators can take to make a difference for the boys in their lives.

KQED's Ki Sung talks to host of The Stacks podcast, Traci Thomas, about rereading books she loved as a child with her own children, what's on her reading list as they grow and what she's learned about reading from all of her author interviews.

Join a lively discussion on the declining reading stamina of college students, influenced by digital distractions and educational practices. Delve into how standardized testing impacts deep reading abilities and links to academic success. Discover the importance of immersive literature through the experiences of an English teacher advocating for diverse texts. Finally, explore how full-length reading fosters mental endurance and character development, connecting these reading habits to career readiness and engagement in today’s fast-paced world.