In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

In her new book "The Importance of Being Little", early childhood education expert Erika Christakis argues that today’s preschoolers are not getting what they need from parents, teachers and administrators. Instead of more rote instruction and standards-based evaluation, kids between the ages of three and six need more play, more social interactions, and more creative open-ended projects. Christakis joins us to explain.

In 1911, Chicago Public Schools started teaching Chicago urban planning and civics using something called the Wacker Manual - basically a version of the Burnham Plan for middle schoolers. It was taught in CPS for two decades but was eventually lost to history. Gabrielle Lyon of the Chicago Architecture Foundation describes the revival of the Wacker Manual in a form today’s middle school students can really connect with: a graphic novel.

After the state’s contract with the ACT last June, the SAT exam started courting Illinois to be the entrance exam for students here. Chicago Tribune’s Diane Rado explains differences between the two tests and how this move will affect students.

Two years ago, Chicago Public Schools started an elective mariachi program at seven elementary schools. It’s since become hugely popular, especially among Mexican American students and their families. Cesar Maldonado, President of the Mariachi Heritage Foundation, which funds the program, discusses the new All City Mariachi Ensemble. The program launches this year.

We examine some of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s key decisions and his impact on the court. Plus, what happens next for the eight-member court and for the nominating process. William Baude, Neubauer Family Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Chicago Law School walks us through what we can expect coming forward. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has passed away at the age of 79. Morning Shift talks with Northwestern Law Professor Steven Calabresi, who clerked for Scalia soon after President Reagan appointed him to the court. CPS high school principal Anna Pavichevich explains what it’s like to lead a school with 1120 students and more than 100 staff members.

We examine some of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s key decisions and his impact on the court. Plus, what happens next for the eight-member court and for the nominating process. William Baude, Neubauer Family Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Chicago Law School walks us through what we can expect coming forward.

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has passed away at the age of 79. We talk with Northwestern Law Professor Steven Calabresi, who clerked for Scalia soon after President Reagan appointed him to the court. Guests: Steven Calabresi, Professor of Law at Northwestern University, law clerk to Justice Scalia 1987-1988.

CPS high school principal Anna Pavichevich explains what it’s like to lead a school with 1,120 students and more than 100 staff members.

Sometimes teaching-and learning-about history can be a little dry. Teachers reach for new ways to capture students’ attention. A new program in some Chicago Public Schools uses the music of the 1960s and ‘70s to talk about the social justice movements that really defined the decades. Jeanne Warsaw-Gazga started Me-Ma Music, Motivate and Encourage Music Appreciation, after working for many years in the music industry. She explains why she thought it was needed and how it’s growing.

Sometimes teaching-and learning-about history can be a little dry. We learn about a new program in some Chicago Public Schools that uses music of the 1960s and ‘70s to talk about the social justice movements that really defined the decades. Beyonce’s new song “Formation” tell a story of black women’s empowerment and the artist’s own personal origin story. We discuss the lyrics of "Formation" and imagery from the music video. The Chicago Defender society editor and columnist Theresa “Teesee” Fambro Hooks was laid to rest. She died January 31 in her home at age 80. We here stories about her legacy and reflect back on a Chicago icon in the Black Press. And in recent years, The Great Lakes have been terrorized by a little, tiny foe called the Sea Lamprey. Michael Wagner, Fish ecologist and MSU professor, guides us through research on a plan to remove lampreys by smell.