Episodes

  • Matt Hobbs

    Matt Hobbs
    Sep 1 2021
    Matt Hobbs is a science teacher in the District of Colombia. We discussed what inspired Matt to study and teach science; the importance of keeping kids engaged; the sequence of learning sub-topics within science; recommended science books, podcasts, and museums; and the challenges of navigating a politicized science landscape. To see Matt’s comprehensive list of science ideas/resources/lessons for homeschoolers and after-schoolers, send an email with SCIENCE in the subject line to: schoolconversations@gmail.com.Science podcasts:Huberman LabBret Weinstein’s Dark Horse PodcastScience podcasts for kids:Wow in the WorldBrains On!Recommended science books:Why Science? by James TrefilVarieties of Scientific Experience by Carl SaganWhen Plague Strikes by James Cross GiblinSmall Steps: The Year I Got Polio by Peg KehretGuns, Germs, and Steel by Jared DiamondThe Story of Science by Joy HakimBooks that address the changing political/science landscape:Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan HaidtThe Righteous Mind by Johnathan HaidtThe Illusion of Evidence-Based Medicine by Jon Jureidini and Leemon B. McHenryAnatomy of an Epidemic by Robert WhitakerScience Museums in the greater D.C. area:Maryland Science Center in Baltimore, MDNational Air and Space Museum - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VANational Air and Space Museum in D.C.National Museum of Natural History Science documentaries on PBS:NOVAPlastic WarsThe Polio Crusade Vaccines: A Short History of Living Longer Ken Burns Presents: The GeneSinking CitiesThe Fabric of the CosmosCancer: The Emperor of all MaladiesCOVID-19 related resources:Latest VAERS dataPanel of 14 experts discuss COVID-19Dr. Tess Lawrie discusses the data on COVID-19 vaccines and treatments
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Nick Grenier

    Nick Grenier
    Aug 2 2021
    Nick Grenier is a homeschooling parent and founder of Natural Leaders, an outdoor education program with several locations in Virginia and Maryland, where children build leadership and survival skills alongside their peers, with the help of a trained mentor. We discussed the details of Natural Leaders programs; how children can overcome common challenges by spending more time in nature; recent research showing the quantifiable benefits of being outdoors; mitigating the risks we may face in nature; books to inspire parents and kids to get outside; and how to access nature during extended periods of uncomfortable weather. More information on Natural Leaders is available at naturalleaders.com. Non-fiction books on outdoor education:Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder by Richard LouvVitamin N: The Essential Guide to a Nature-Rich Life by Richard LouvThe Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative by Florence WilliamsThe Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs by Tristan GooleyPlay the Forest School Way by Jane Worroll and Peter HoughtonSharing Nature: Nature Awareness Activities for All Ages by Joseph CornellHow to Raise a Wild Child by Scott D. SampsonSurvivor Kid: A Practical Guide to Wilderness Survival by Denise LongThe Tracker: The True Story of Tom Brown Jr. by Tom Brown Jr.Tom Brown’s Field Guide: Nature Observation and Tracking by Tom Brown Jr.The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter WohllebenFiction books to inspire the love of nature:The Hatchet by Gary PaulsonMy Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead GeorgeOn the Far Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead GeorgeFrightful’s Mountain by Jean Craighead GeorgeTrumpet of the Swan by E.B. White and Fred MarcellinoOther resources on the great outdoors:Wilderness Awareness SchoolForest Schools in FinlandTom Brown Jr’s Tracker SchoolConnecting Today’s Kids With Nature: A Policy Action PlanResearch on the benefits of nature immersion:Why Nature Is Great For The Brain, From A Neuroscientist NASA - Schumann ResonanceImprovements in ADHD from time in natureRelationship between time in nature and children’s cognitive/behavioral development and inattention-hyperactivity symptomsAccess to nature is essential to human healthA potential natural treatment for ADHDChildren with ADHD concentrate better after a walk in the park
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  • Negar Nahidian

    Negar Nahidian
    Jul 1 2021

    Negar Nahidian is a mother, artist, and faculty of art at Georgetown University. We discussed Negar’s inspirations as a child; how to foster creativity and aesthetic awareness; inspiring reads; how Negar deepened her study of watercolor and calligraphy; channeling grief into beauty; being patient while creating art; and not being attached to outcomes, instead focusing on the process. Admire or acquire Negar’s exceptional artwork on her website (n2dezign.net) or on Instagram (n2dezign).

    Resources to inspire creativity and aesthetic awareness:

    Skillshare

    Procreate for the iPad with Apple Pencil

    Go: A Kidd’s Guide to Graphic Design by Chip Kidd

    The Secret Lives of Color by Kassia St. Clair

    Marian Bantjes: Pretty Pictures by Marian Bantjes

    I Wonder by Marian Bantjes

    Design Matters with Debbie Millman

    Negar’s favorite art museums in D.C. and New York:

    Hirshhorn Museum

    National Gallery of Art

    MoMA

    Museum of Arts and Design

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    Less than 1 minute
  • Kathryn Bean

    Kathryn Bean
    Jun 1 2021

    Kathryn Bean is a reading specialist certified in the Barton Reading and Spelling System with over 20 years of teaching experience. We discussed resources to help individuals with different reading abilities. Please email schoolconversations@gmail.com if you are interested in contacting Kathryn Bean directly for more information. 

    Susan Barton websites:

    https://www.dys-add.com

    https://bartonreading.com

    Websites for young readers with different abilities:

    https://www.starfall.com/h/

    https://www.readingrockets.org/

    http://www.ldonline.org/

    https://www.bookshare.org

    Audible

    Website to determine an individual’s likelihood for dyslexia:

    https://neurolearning.com/

    Books for families of children with different reading abilities:

    The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease

    The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain by Brock L. Eide, M.D., M.A. and Fernette F. Eide, M.D.

    The Gift of Dyslexia: Why Some of the Smartest People Can't Read...and How They Can Learn by Ronald D. Davis, Eldon M. Braun
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  • Mindy Cabrera

    Mindy Cabrera
    May 2 2021
      Mindy Cabrera discusses her family's approach to homeschooling. We discussed assessing options as homeschoolers; classical education; kanban boards and calendars to help keep track of daily/weekly tasks and activities; math resources; helpful parenting books; and the importance of instilling life skills.Classical education resources:Classical Conversations The Well-Trained MindMichael Clay Thompson Story of the World Jim Weiss Organizational tools:Kanban boardsReuasable Sticky NotesWhite boardsMath resources:Khan Academy Saxon Math Singapore Math Institute for Math and Computer Science (IMACS) - Mention this podcast (School: Conversations on Learning) to receive a $50 discount on enrollment. Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) Beast AcademyElements of Mathematics Foundations (EMF)G is for GoogolThe Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical CatSir CumferenceMontessori math beadsCritical Thinking Company Mathematical ReasoningCritical Thinking Company Balance BendersCritical Thinking Company Mind BendersCritical Thinking Company Pattern ExplorerPerplexorsParenting Books:The Collapse of Parenting by Leonard SaxThe Self-Driven Child by William Stixrud, PhD & Ned JohnsonRaising Human Beings by Ross W. Greene, PhDRaising a Secure Child by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper, & Bert PowellGetting kids involved in cooking:Y shaped peelersLe Creuset skillet - non-toxic pans to replace Teflon (don’t skimp on the oil!)Kid-safe knives  
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