In an age where information is constantly at our fingertips, distinguishing credible news from misleading or false information is more critical than ever. Fake news can distort perspectives, influence decision-making, and undermine trust in legitimate sources. Teaching students how to identify and analyze the credibility of news prepares them to navigate the digital world responsibly and fosters informed citizenship.

Our guest in Episode 274 of Class Dismissed is David Cutler, a Massachusetts high school history and journalism teacher. Cutler recognizes the importance of teaching to distinguish between legitimate news sources and news sites designed strictly for political or monetary gain.

Cutler authored a column featured on PBS Newshour titled “How I use George Washington to make kids care about fake news.” He detailed his methods in Episode 274. Listen to this latest episode on your favorite podcast app or Apple Podcast

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, family engagement, data accessibility, and practical communication tools are essential to fostering student success. SchoolStatus’s 2024 Educator Report reveals critical insights from over 1,000 educators and administrators nationwide, underscoring the opportunities and challenges schools face in these areas. From navigating data gaps to improving attendance through proactive family involvement, the report highlights the pressing need for integrated, technology-driven solutions.

Here’s a look at the report’s key findings, which point to the strategies that could make the most significant difference in K-12 education.

In Episode 273 of the Class Dismissed Podcast, we discuss these findings with Kara Stern, SchoolStatus’s Director of Education and Engagement, and Jen De Forest, Vice President of Organizational Learning at YouthTruth, to explore how alignment between schools and families can be a game-changer.

Listen to the latest episode on your favorite podcast app or Apple Podcast for a complete discussion of these crucial insights and the new tools that could soon be available to educators.

Readers can download the full SchoolStatus report here.  

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In recent years, the emphasis on STEM education has undoubtedly equipped students with valuable skills for the future. But has this focus come at the expense of other critical subjects, like civics?

In today’s “Bright Idea” segment, we discuss the current state of civics education in the U.S. with journalist, speaker, and author Holly Korby. Korby, who wrote Building Better Citizens, shares her candid assessment of how well the nation prepares young people to understand their role in democracy, grading the U.S. a C-.

Korby points to the writings of Horace Mann, who, in the 1800s, championed public education with a core mission: to produce informed citizens who grasp how government functions. Yet, as Korby highlights, we need to catch up to this fundamental goal today.

While states like Massachusetts and Illinois stand out for their robust civics programs, Korby describes the overall picture as a “patchwork system” that varies widely in quality across the country.

Despite the challenges, Korby offers hope, outlining actionable steps educators can take to better equip students with the knowledge they need to engage in civic life. We explore these solutions further in Episode 272 of Class Dismissed.

Tune in to the Class Dismissed podcast on your favorite app or iTunes to hear Korby’s insights.

Cash-Starved Districts Are Turning to Four-Day School Weeks. Will That Harm Students?

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Learning math can be challenging for people who prefer the liberal arts. This is due to the differences in cognitive processes and subject matter. While liberal arts subjects like literature and history often focus on narrative, interpretation, and subjective analysis, math relies on abstract reasoning, logic, and problem-solving, which can feel rigid and detached from personal expression.

The linear and structured nature of math can seem intimidating compared to the open-ended exploration found in the humanities.

Our guest in Episode 271 of Class Dismissed is Ben Orlin. Orlin, the author of the hit book “Math with Bad Drawings” and his latest book, “Math for English Majors,” Has taken on the mission to bridge the gap between liberal arts thinkers and mathematical concepts.

Orlin says many of his readers asked if his teachings in class were similar to those in his early books, and the answer was mostly no.

“Math takes practice, and there is the pencil and paper math that needs to happen. But there’s so many ways that can go wrong, and I’ve seen so many students that have had such frustrating experiences,” says Orlin. “I was sort of drawn to that. This is the thing that’s haunting people…so I wanted to write a book that kind of went right at that.”  

Orlin’s new writings, which frame math as a language, are a testament to this mission.

Listen to Episode 271 on your favorite podcast app or Apple Podcast for our full interview with Orlin.

U.S. High School Vaping Hits 10-Year Low After Crackdown, CDC Says

What you should know about Nicotine Pouches

Exercising Your Critical Thinking Skills

In today’s world, where digital assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google can provide instant answers to nearly any question, the ability to think critically is more important than ever. Teaching students how to think, not just what to think, has become essential to education.

In Episode 270 of our podcast, we dive deeper into this topic with Dr. Emily Fyfe, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University. Dr. Fyfe and her colleagues have recently published groundbreaking research titled, “A Scalable, Versatile Approach for Improving Critical Thinking Skills,” which offers fresh insights into how we can enhance our critical thinking abilities.

The Study: A Closer Look

Dr. Fyfe explains that this research was inspired by a troubling observation: Many people, regardless of their education level, could be more proficient in critical thinking. “Just because you are educated, or have attended a class or even graduated from college, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a better critical thinker,” says Fyfe. “That’s a problem we wanted to address.”

In their study, all participants began with a pre-test and received basic training on critical thinking principles. Then, they were divided into three groups:

Following the exercises, all participants took a post-test. The results showed that those who participated in the critical thinking practice significantly improved from their pre-test scores. In contrast, the other groups showed minimal gains.

Why It Matters

These findings underscore the importance of actively practicing critical thinking rather than assuming it develops passively through general education. To hear more about Dr. Fyfe’s research and why it’s crucial to exercise our critical thinking muscles, tune in to Episode 270 of the Class Dismissed podcast. You can find it on your favorite podcast app or iTunes.

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Food is a fundamental part of our lives, making it a perfect subject for engaging students in not just health class but also science class. By integrating food nutrition and food science into K-12 science classrooms, educators can offer students hands-on, practical lessons that connect directly to their daily lives.

Our guest in episode 269 of Class Dismissed is Dr. Julia Olayanju, a distinguished expert who holds a PhD from Rutgers University and a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She is the founder of FoodNiche Inc. and FoodNiche-ED, which are platforms dedicated to advancing food and health education through cutting-edge technology.

Listen to Episode 269 of the Class Dismissed Podcast on your favorite podcast app or Apple Podcast to hear more from Dr. Olanyanju.

Here are a few ways to make this food science integration effective and enjoyable.

Food offers countless opportunities for experiments that illustrate core scientific principles. For instance, students can explore chemical reactions by baking bread or making yogurt and observing how ingredients like yeast or bacteria interact. Measuring the acidity of different foods can introduce concepts of pH and acids and bases. These activities teach scientific concepts and give students a tangible outcome they can taste and enjoy.

Incorporating lessons on nutrition into the science curriculum helps students understand the impact of food on their health. Teachers can discuss the macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in various foods, explaining how they fuel the body. Activities like analyzing food labels or planning balanced meals can make these concepts more relatable and encourage healthier eating habits.

Connecting the classroom to the broader food system can be a powerful way to teach about sustainability, biology, and agriculture. Lessons can include visits to local farms, growing a school garden, or even simple discussions about where food comes from. These experiences help students understand the science behind food production, the importance of sustainable practices, and the impact of agriculture on the environment.

Teaching students about food safety and preservation techniques, such as canning, freezing, or drying, can integrate microbiology and chemistry into the classroom. Understanding how bacteria grow and how different preservation methods inhibit this growth provides a practical application of these scientific principles.

Food is deeply tied to culture and history, offering a unique way to integrate social studies with science. Students can explore how different cultures use various foods and cooking methods and how these have evolved over time. Discussions can also include the role of food in historical events, such as the spice trade or the development of agriculture, linking science with broader societal changes.

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Chronic absenteeism in K-12 education is an invisible barrier, quietly eroding the future potential of countless students one missed day at a time.

In Episode 268 of Class Dismissed, we explore ideas for districts to tackle chronic absenteeism.

For instance, several states have implemented measures linking school attendance to the ability to obtain a driver’s license to combat chronic absenteeism. In states like California, Florida, and Tennessee, students under a certain age must meet specific attendance requirements to receive or maintain their driver’s licenses. The logic behind these policies is that the incentive of a driver’s license can motivate students to attend school regularly.

We also talked with Dr. Kara Stern. Stern currently serves as the Director of Education and Engagement at SchoolStatus.SchoolStatus offers a suite of products, but one, in particular, has some proven ways to approve attendance.

SchoolStatus Attend is a data-driven attendance management solution that helps educators automate attendance interventions and provide positive reinforcement to improve daily attendance. It reduces administrative workload by automating outreach through letters, postcards, and digital messages.

Listen to Episode 268 of the Class Dismissed Podcast on your favorite podcast app or Apple Podcast to hear our full episode dedicated to chronic absenteeism and learn more about SchoolStatus Attend.

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Envision a classroom where transitions between activities are seamless, students are actively engaged, and their cognitive and social-emotional development is consistently nurtured. This vision becomes a reality with the integration of sound-making activities. These activities facilitate smoother transitions and play a crucial role in enhancing executive functioning skills, promoting active listening, and encouraging mindfulness. Their impact in diverse classrooms, supporting children with varying language abilities and behavioral needs, is significant.

In Episode 267 of Class Dismissed, we delve into this transformative teaching method with Hayes Greenfield—an accomplished saxophonist, composer, and educator based in New York City. Greenfield is also the founder of CreativeSoundPlay.com.

His platform offers a play-based learning system for early childhood educators, focusing on sound-making activities to enrich classroom dynamics. Through a comprehensive guide and engaging workshops, Creative Sound Play transforms routine transitions into educational experiences that foster mindfulness, active listening, and cognitive growth.

Listen to Episode 267 of the Class Dismissed Podcast on your favorite podcast app or Apple Podcast to hear how Greenfield uses sound as a tool in the classroom.

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Summer break is a chance to keep your school community connected and thriving. By continuing communication, you’ll:

In Episode 266 of the Class Dismissed Podcast, we speak with Dr. Kara Stern. Stern currently serves as the Director of Education and Engagement at SchoolStatus.

In the episode, Stern shared SchoolStatus’ To-Do List for summer communications.

Frequent communication aimed at families is essential for reducing absenteeism, minimizing dropouts, and creating an environment conducive to learning. Transparency and consistent outreach help build trust, manage expectations, and reinforce your school’s dedication to every student’s growth.

Maintaining open lines of communication with teachers and personnel is key to talent retention, professional development, and cultivating a supportive workplace culture. Leverage summer downtime to provide growth opportunities, share inspirational content, and equip your team with the tools for a successful year ahead.

To-Do List:

Implementing an all-encompassing summer engagement strategy requires strategic planning, engaging content, and leveraging the right tech tools. Follow these guidelines to ensure your school or district remains top-of-mind, forges meaningful connections, and lays the groundwork for an impactful academic year.

To-Do List:

Listen to Episode 266 of the Class Dismissed Podcast on your favorite podcast app or Apple Podcast to hear more ideas about school communications and SchoolStatus.

SchoolStatus is used by school districts worldwide. Its integrated, data-driven tools simplify communication and engagement among families, educators, and administrators.

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Integrating reading instruction throughout the school day presents several challenges for teachers:

Time Constraints: With tight schedules and a packed curriculum, finding extra time for reading instruction in non-language arts subjects can be difficult.

Curriculum Demands: Subjects like math, science, and social studies already have extensive curricula. Incorporating reading without sacrificing essential content can be a struggle.

Lack of Training: Not all teachers are trained in effective reading strategies, especially those specializing in other subjects. This can make it challenging to integrate reading into their teaching.

However, embedding reading instruction throughout the day can significantly enhance students’ reading proficiency, engagement, and overall academic success. It creates a rich literacy environment where reading becomes an essential and enjoyable part of everyday learning.

Our guest on Episode 265 of Class Dismissed, Jen Serravallo, is an expert on this topic. Her new book, “Teaching Reading Across the Day,” focuses on integrating reading instruction into various parts of the school day. Known for her practical and effective strategies, Serravallo provides educators with tools and techniques to embed reading skills and practices during designated reading times and across different subjects and activities.

Serravallo’s latest book is designed to help teachers foster a love for reading in their students.

Listen to Episode 265 of the Class Dismissed Podcast on your favorite podcast app or Apple Podcast to hear our entire conversation and some tips from Serravallo.

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