In which Dan takes a close look at the recent spread of censorship aimed at schools and libraries across the United States. Hundreds (!) of new laws have been proposed in just months that would put teachers and curriculums under the microscope, and books are being pulled from shelves. The common denominator? The ideas and books being questioned all challenge orthodox views of American society, history, and family.

To begin, Dan is joined by Jonathan Friedman from PEN America to talk about gag order laws proliferating across the country (5:40). They discuss how the 1619 Project should be seen as ground zero for this latest censorship push, and then talk through the goals and consequences of the gag order laws coming out of state houses around America. Then Dan talks to Christine Emeran from the National Coalition Against Censorship about why books are coming under attack across the country (33:00). As always I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

Mentioned in the episode:
"A Tennessee school board removed the graphic novel ‘Maus,’ about the Holocaust" (CNN)
"'Don't Say Gay' bill passes Florida Senate" (ABC)
The 1619 Project from the NY Times
Educational Gag Orders: Legislative Restrictions on the Freedom to Read, Learn, and Teach from PEN America. Lead author: Jonathan Friedman
Kids' Right to Read Action Kit from the National Coalition Against Censorship
Responding to Book Challenges: A Handbook for Teachers from the National Coalition Against Censorship
Youth Censorship Database from the National Coalition Against Censorship
"How a YA oral-sex scene touched off Texas' latest culture war" from Texas Tribune

Music:
Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

In which Dan interviews Monica Brady-Myerov, founder and CEO of Listenwise, a learning platform that helps teachers bring podcasts and other audio into the classroom. Before starting Listenwise, Monica was an award-winning public radio journalist, and Dan and Monica talk about what she learned about storytelling during those years. Then they discuss why schools need to do more to teach listening skills and how Listenwise is set up to do exactly that. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

Mentioned in the episode:

Listenwise, a learning platform that brings audio into the classroom
A sample of Monica's reporting on the opioid crisis
Listen Wise: Teach Students to Be Better Listeners by Monica Brady-Myerov
The Student Podcast PODCAST, highlighting outstanding student work

Music:
Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

In which Dan chats with Molly Josephs, the adult who works on This Teenage Life, a podcast hosted by teens to talk about issues that matter to them. Dan and Molly discuss how TTL got its start, why student voices are more important than ever, and why the real goal is honest, productive conversation. They also talk about how teachers everywhere can (and should!) try out podcasting in the classroom. Always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter and Instagram @BigIdeaEd

Mentioned in the episode:

This Teenage Life's website, featuring resources that accompany the episodes
"Text Etiquette" (episode)
"Book Magic" (episode)
"Snacks" (episode)
Student projects at High Tech High
My own students podcasts

Music:
Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

In which Dan talks with Ebonee Rice (@EboneeSpeaks), Senior VP of Educator Network at the News Literacy Project. They talk about the unprecedented amount of information at our fingertips, the danger of passive media consumption, the importance of understanding how news gets made, and the incredible work of the News Literacy Project. 

Mentioned in the show:
Why do people claim things that can be easily disproven with a Google search?
Truth Decay, The RAND Corporation's insightful take on media literacy
Can you spot fake news before hitting “share”? Kids are learning and so can you by Fast Company
The News Literacy Project -- Start here for some amazing resources
Checkology, NewLitPro's flagship platform
NewsLit Nation, a fantastic group to join

Music:
Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

In which Dan talks with educator, author, and speaker Pernille Ripp (@pernilleripp) about the importance of developing young readers. For over a decade Pernille has run the Global Read Aloud, a six-week program that unites classrooms around a single text. Dan and Pernille discuss what it means to be a reader, helping our reluctant readers find books that speak to them, and why teachers need to listen to students about their reading needs. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter @BigIdeaEd

Mentioned in the show:
The Global Read Aloud, created and run by Pernille Ripp
Pernille Ripp on the web
Books:
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert
Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte
Black Boy Joy, edited by Kwame Mbalia
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young
In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

Music:
Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

In which Dan is joined by Colorado educator Julia Fliss to discuss the importance of cultivating globally-minded students in our increasingly interconnected world. Dan and Julia start by examining the power of learning additional languages as a portal into deeper cultural understanding. Then they discuss the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, local activism, and Julia's work with Girl Rising. As always I welcome comments and questions on Twitter @BigIdeaEd

Mentioned in the show:
The UN's Sustainable Development Goals
Teach the SDGs
Inspire Citizens
Girl Rising
Julia Fliss on Twitter

Music:
Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

In which Dan hosts the always-candid Monise Seward (@MoniseLSeward), a special education teacher and interventionist. Living in Georgia, Monise had a front row seat to one of the most tumultuous years in American history and she comes on the pod to talk about teaching and learning during the pandemic, election denialism, historical ignorance, and what she's optimistic about. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter @BigIdeaEd

Music:
Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

In which Dan talks with educator, author, and big thinker Casey Jakubowski. They discuss rural education, the state of the teaching profession, the current debate over history class, and progressivism. As always I welcome comments and questions on Twitter @BigIdeaEd

Mentioned in the show:

Thinking About Teaching: A Rural Social Studies Teacher's Path to Strive for Excellence by Casey Jakubowski
Report: Why Rural Matters, 2018-19: The Time is Now from The Rural School and Community Trust
Dividing Paradise: Rural Inequality and the Diminishing American Dream by Jennifer Sherman
Senate Passes $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill, Handing Biden a Bipartisan Win from the New York Times
Education in Rural California from EdSource

Music:
Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower

In which Dan talks with Chris McNutt, an Ohio educator, the executive director of the Human Restoration Project, and a leading voice for a progressive, human-centered education. They talk about the manufactured myth of "learning loss", media literacy, and the incredible work of HRP. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Twitter @BigIdeaEd

Mentioned in the show:

From the Human Restoration Project 

• Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave: How the Testing Industry Manufactured the "Learning Loss" Narrative by Chris McNutt
• Primer on Progressive Education
• Ungrading Handbook
• Evidence Journal (great alternative to traditional grading!)
• Microcredentialing and Coursework

HRP Podcast #95: Deciphering "Learning Loss" w/ Akil Bello

McKinsey's report on learning loss: "COVID-19 and student learning in the United States: The hurt could last a lifetime"

Music:
Track: Sunflower — Soyb [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/dG1U3NuR9Pk
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/sunflower