EP 23 How Student Choice, Flexible Seating and Mindfulness Transformed a Teacher’s Classroom

The Cutting Ed Podcast

In her four years as a grade school teacher in Bismarck, Olivia Becker says she has done a 180 in terms of her teaching philosophy.
Becker says she entered the profession with a traditional approach, but soon found herself overwhelmed by curriculum, teaching to standards and student behaviors. Becker says she came to understand that she wasn’t happy and that her students weren’t particularly enjoying their time, either. So she decided to reinvent her teaching style which now focuses on student choice, an open concept classroom with flexible seating and practicing yoga and mindfulness.
In this episode, you’ll learn how she says those changes have transformed students in terms of educational and behavioral outcomes.
Resources:
http://www.ndplaylist.org
http://www.ndunited.org/thecuttinged
Leaders of Their Own Learning by Ron Berger
Mindsets and Moves by Gravity Goldberg
Teaching with Intention by Debbie Miller
Who’s Doing the Work by Jan Burkins and Kim Yaris
Mindfulness:
Growing Up Mindful – Christopher Willard
MindUp Curriculum
Podcast: Sounds True: Insights at the Edge – Goldie Hawn – Mindfulness episode
Reading with Meaning by Debbie Miller
Feedback – Austin’s butterfly video – on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqh1MRWZjms
Podcasts: TED Radio Hour
Principal Center Radio
Kids Deserve It
Mindful Games Activity Cards
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@PrairiePublicEd
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