Episode 053: Kindness & Equity in the NGSS Classroom with Kathy Renfrew

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Summary:

Today’s guest Kathy Renfrew shares with us ways to incorporate NGSS in our classrooms using Social and Emotional Learning Standards. We go deeper into this quote from Kathy’s recent blog post, “If we have the goal of building equitable learning communities, we are making a step in the right direction. In this way we are modeling for our students, our colleagues, and our community what it means to be kind and just, and maybe, just maybe, #choosingkindness will become a part of who we all are.” 

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Show Highlights

• 02:15 - 05:00    Introduction to Kathy and her work
• 05:30 - 15:00    Choosing kindness in the science classroom
• 15:15 - 20:00    Social and emotional learning in the science classroom
• 20:15 - 30:00    Phenomenon-driven inquiry as a step toward equity
• 30:00 - 34:00    Examples of #choosingkind as promoting equity in the classroom

 Show Quotes 

"Really just thinking about each other and how we should treat each other in general made perfect sense while we were working in science because in science we very rarely work alone. We are always collaborating and talking to each other whether its in partner or in groups. So what are the norms? What are the things we do to help create that culture?"  [09:40-10:00] Kathy Renfrew

"For me it's how does starting with a phenomenon really begin as a step for equity? So, I see that as a step for equity because everyone is experiencing the same thing."  [21:00-21:15] Kathy Renfrew

"I do think that phenomena is one way--just one step--toward creating equity in classroom. I also think thinking about #choosingkind in your classroom also allows you to open up your mind to think, 'what might this mean in my classroom?'"  [30:00-30:30] Kathy Renfrew

Links

• Kathy's blog post: "Kindness and Equity in Our Science Classrooms"
• Find Kathy on Twitter
• Scientist, Scientist, Who Do You See? by Chris Ferrie

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