Think or Thwim
On each episode of Think or Thwim, we talk with one educator to discuss one lesson that harnesses and elevates critical and creative thinking in the classroom. Discover how amazing educators and their students learn to think, or thwim, their way to success!
Episodes
15 episodes
Episode 15: Sophia Possidon on the Habit of Yes!
Sophia Possidon is a college and K12 educator with decades of experience in the music industry prior to teaching. After such a fruitful career, she decided she wanted to shift gears and focus not on selling product to young people but rather on...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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46:23
Ep 14: Steven Jones on Simulations and Learning Transfer
Steven Jones, a 7th grade history teacher, discusses the use of simulations and hands-on activities that put students in the driver's seat of their learning experiences for memorable, relatable, transferable long-term learning. Resources relate...
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Episode 14
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48:21
Ep 13: Alan Smith on Writing Conferences
Alan Smith, writing consultant at Montclair State University in New Jersey, talks us through tips and tricks he uses to help student writers develop into self-directed critical analyzers of their writing. Alan focuses on each session with a wri...
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Episode 13
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35:39
Ep 12: Jennifer Lopez on Social Justice Math
In this episode, 5th grade teacher Jennifer Lopez discusses infusing social justice into mathematics, small group instruction, productive struggle and resilience, and how being a lifelong learner herself helps hone her teaching skills to better...
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Episode 12
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44:23
Ep 11: Mike McLaughlin on The Language of the News
In this episode, Mike walks us through a foundational media studies lesson on news writing, detailing the many critical thinking skills it takes to effectively think through a writing task.
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Episode 11
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45:20
Ep 10: Pennie Perkins on The Wild Robot Project
Middle school science teacher Pennie Perkins and her colleague, Beth Kohn, developed an interdisciplinary science-English project for middle schoolers to learn about the flow of energy, family, and the interconnectedness of life on earth. ...
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Episode 10
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46:55
Ep 9: Nina Phillips on Harkness Discussions
Nina shares her Harkness Discussion lesson, identifying ways in which students can find their voice and contribute to the intellectual rigor of class. For materials and resources related to Nina's lesson, visit
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Episode 9
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48:02
Ep 8: Enrique Magdaleno on Netflix High School
Enrique, a high school social science teacher, discusses a lesson called Netflix HS, in which student groups are tasked with creating their very own high school as the foundation for a new reality TV series to be aired on Netflix. But, no, not ...
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Episode 8
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50:31
Ep 7: John Ruiz on Collaborative Assessment with Students
In our conversation, John talks about a rubric creation lesson he implemented with a class of high school seniors, addressing the purpose of rubrics and the value of assessment, and coming to consensus through mutual analysis and collaborative ...
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Episode 7
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47:24
Ep 6: Lizzie Adelman on Learning to Face the Darkness
Spanish Teacher Lizzie Adelman discusses her lesson, Facing Darkness, in which students consider and explore the inner and outer resources they access to help them through difficult times. Lesson plan and materials available at www.jennakamp.co...
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Episode 6
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1:02:31
Ep 5: Jamie Douglass on Exponents and Emotions
Jamie, a professional drummer and Math teacher, discusses his student-centered approach to the rules of exponents, in which he focuses on their purpose so that students can better understand their logic. Jamie grounds his lesson in respect for ...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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1:05:40
Ep 4: Constantine Singer on the WWI Essential Question
Costa discusses his multi-day history lesson on World War I, in which he weaves together lecture, discussion, film, and poetry to address the Essential Question: Why did the soldiers continue to fight and die a purposeless, un-winnable war? Cos...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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1:08:33
Ep 3: Natalie Irons on Cognitive Coaching
In this episode, Natalie highlights the benefits of cognitive coaching for teachers and school leaders, and discusses the organic nature of this community of practice group of life-long learners.
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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50:54
Ep 2: Briana Torres on YPAR Community-based Project
In this episode, Briana Torres walks us through a collaborative service-learning project based on the principles of YPAR- Youth Participatory Action Research.
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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39:23
Ep 1: Kat Magill on Inner Resources for Self-Actualization
Jenna Kamp speaks with Kat Magill, Founder and Executive Director of Say Word!, about authenticity, vulnerability, and the inner resources we cultivate on our paths to self-actualization in her SEL (socio-emotional learning) lesson, "Step...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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54:20
