Pulse on the Podcast: Recaps of Popular Episodes
Welcome to our blog series, 'Pulse on the Podcast: Recaps of Popular Episodes’, where we are highlighting the top 5 episodes of NCAGT’s 'They'll Be Fine' podcast. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of gifted education, featuring expert interviews, personal journeys, and actionable tips for educators and families alike.
At #5, with the 5th most downloads, we have….
Preview HERE (sound bite from the episode!)
Listen to the full episode: E21-Backpocket Strategies - Nicole Traywick, Hannah Park, Katharine Caldwell
About the Podcast Guest Speakers
Hannah is a passionate educator who has dedicated her career to advocating for gifted learners. With over a decade of experience in teaching and curriculum development, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a compassionate approach to the challenges faced by high-ability students. Outside of the classroom, Hannah enjoys engaging in professional development and sharing her insights through various educational forums and podcasts.
Nicole has been inspiring young minds for over 11 years, teaching everything from third to fifth grade. Known for her innovative teaching methods and her ability to connect with students of all backgrounds, Nicole is committed to closing the excellence gap and ensuring that every child reaches their full potential. When she’s not in the classroom, Nicole loves experimenting with new teaching strategies and mentoring other educators.
Catherine Caldwell is a dedicated educator specializing in identifying and nurturing gifted and talented students. With years of experience in the classroom and in administration, Catherine brings a unique perspective on the educational landscape. She co-hosts multiple episodes and is actively involved in various initiatives that support gifted education. Catherine's enthusiasm for teaching and her ability to foster deep connections with her students make her a true asset to the podcast.
Overview
In this installment, titled 'Back Pocket Strategies,' our hosts Hannah and Nicole, later joined by Catherine, dive deep into practical teaching strategies designed to bridge the excellence gap faced by high-ability students. This episode is filled with creative, evidence-based strategies to make learning more engaging and effective. Whether it's through music, visual aids, or interactive discussions, the techniques discussed in this episode aim to unlock the full potential of gifted and talented scholars from diverse backgrounds. So, listen in, take notes, and be prepared to inspire your students in new and meaningful ways.
Breaking the Ice with Nicole and Catherine
The episode kicks off with Hannah introducing her best friend Nicole, who has over 11 years of teaching experience across different grade levels. Nicole is enthusiastic about sharing creative strategies that have worked well in her classroom. Catherine, another seasoned educator, joins later to contribute to the discussion. The informal yet informative conversation allows listeners to feel like they’re part of a friendly chat among colleagues, making the concepts easy to grasp.
Key Strategies Discussed
1. Structured Academic Controversy:
Hannah explains an activity introduced during an NCAGT board meeting, where students are divided into two groups to debate whether older toys like Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys prepare children better for today's world compared to modern toys. This exercise aims to develop skills like critical thinking, conflict resolution, collaboration, and listening.
2. Identity Building with Tinker Toys:
Nicole shares another activity where students choose a toy that resonates with them and form groups based on their choices. This promotes communication skills, collaboration, and self-awareness.
3. Cartoon Clues:
Hannah discusses an activity targeting visual analysis and critical thinking. Students interpret a cartoon with the words whited out, encouraging them to provide reasoning for their interpretations.
4. Meme the Masterpiece:
Hannah suggests creating memes out of famous works of art or scientific concepts to make learning more engaging for students. It’s a fun way to foster creativity and understanding of complex topics.
5. Music and Gallery Walks:
Nicole highlights the use of music in classroom activities like gallery walks, where students move around the room and engage with different posters or stations when the music stops. This not only makes learning fun but also helps in pulling prior knowledge from students.
Advanced Techniques for Deeper Learning
1. Six Thinking Hats:
Catherine introduces an activity where students read a controversial piece and discuss it from six different perspectives, such as optimism, facts, and creativity. This method encourages students to see issues from various angles, thereby promoting critical thinking and empathy.
2. Body Biography:
Another technique shared by Julie from the Duke TIP program involves creating a body outline that represents a character's values, thoughts, and other attributes using text and symbols. This dives deep into character analysis and helps students understand complex personalities in literature and history.
3. Brackets for Decision-Making:
Catherine recalls an activity from the NCAGT conference led by Dr. Matt Zekreski. Participants create brackets on a topic they’re knowledgeable about and pass them around for others to narrow down to one final choice. This can foster community building and help students understand differing viewpoints.
Conclusion
Whether you're an educator searching for new classroom activities or a parent looking for ways to support your gifted child at home, this episode is packed with useful takeaways.
The episode concludes with a reminder about upcoming events, including the NCAGT's annual conference in Greensboro, North Carolina, and a call to action for listeners to share their own back pocket strategies. The hosts also encourage educators and parents to leave reviews and ratings, which helps the podcast reach a wider audience.
Discussion Questions
How can the activity of debating older versus modern toys be adapted to fit different subject areas such as mathematics or science? Can you think of a specific controversial issue that the Six Hats strategy would be effective for? What back pocket strategy from this episode do you find most intriguing or applicable to your current teaching context, and why? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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Please complete this form to receive your professional development certificate for the ‘They'll Be Fine’ podcast. Please note that NCAGT is not a credit-granting agency and therefore, we encourage you to check with your administration to determine if your participation will count toward continuing education requirements.
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