Building Knowledge

In today’s episode we are talking with Linda Bevilacqua, president of the Core Knowledge Foundation about CKLA grades 6-8. We learn more about why contemporary fiction was added to the program as well as the new primary sources units. We also learn about the ELL resources that are available with this program.  If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: https://podcasts.appl...

In this episode, we are talking with author Leslie Stall Widener about the biography she wrote about Toypurina an indigenous girl who stood up to the Mission System in early California history.  Leslie is also the illustrator of the book. If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-knowledge/id1618939881 Follow us on Facebook: h...

In this episode we are talking with Christina Erland, Director of School Support at the Core Knowledge Foundation. Christina shares detailed information about our Train the Trainer professional learning offering.  If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-knowledge/id1618939881 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C...

In this episode we are chatting with Glenda Armand the author of the James Lafayette biography in our Voices in History Series. Glenda was a teacher and librarian before she became an author of picture books as well as chapter books.   If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-knowledge/id1618939881 Follow us on Facebook: http...

In today's episode we are talking with Katy Duffield, the author of our Rachel Carson biography in our Voices in History series. Katy S. Duffield is the award-winning author of more than forty children’s books including the picture books Farmer McPeepers and His Missing Milk Cows, illustrated by Steve Gray (Rising Moon Children’s Books), Loud Lula, illustrated by Mike Boldt (Two Lions), and A...

Today we are chatting with children’s author, Jennifer Elvgren. A former print journalist, Jennifer’s children’s books have received the Andersen Prize, The Américas Award, The Prairie Pasque Award, a Sydney Taylor award, and a Jane Addams award. Her work has also appeared on the ALA Children’s Notable Book and Bank Street College Best Books lists.  When she was asked to write a children’s biograp...

In this episode we are talking with Nancy Churnin a children’s book author who wrote two books for our new biography series, Voices in History. Nancy discusses how she went about researching Thomas Edison and Elizabeth Freeman as well as her other books coming out this year. Here is her website to learn more: https://www.nancychurnin.com/ If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star...

In honor of July 4th, we are revisiting a podcast from last fall where we spoke with Lisa Malaquin Prey, who while teaching in a Core Knowledge school, became a citizen of the United States. Lisa shares her story with us and how Core Knowledge helped her on her journey. Here is the link to the video Lisa refers to in the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HGHdFmu5GU If you are enjoying our...

In this episode we are chatting with Kathy Erskine, a children’s book author who wrote a biography on Abraham Lincoln for our series, Voices in History. Kathy shares with us the qualities that she thinks President Lincoln had that made him a hero as well as talks about her new books that are being released this year. You can learn more about Kathy’s other books at kathyerskine.com.  If you are enj...

In this episode we are chatting with Silvia Lopez, children’s book author and one of the authors featured in our new biography series: Voices in History. Silvia wrote about Federico Fernanadez Cavada, a ‘spy’ in the Civil War and so much more. Listen and learn more about Cavada a true hero. If you are interested in more books by Silvia here is here website: https://www.silvialopezbooks.com/.  If y...

This summer our podcasts are going to be centered around our new biography series, Voices in History. To kick things off we are talking with the editor of the series, Rosie McCormick. If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-knowledge/id1618939881 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoreKnowledgeFoundation Follow...

At the end of the school year, we are all tired and need to listen to something uplifting and inspiring. I had the honor and privilege to interview three amazing 8th grade scholars from Candeo School which is just outside of Phoenix, AZ. As a former teacher I was awed by their posed and insightfulness as well as the vocabulary they used. These scholars are rockstars. This episode is long, but it w...

In this episode, we are talking with Casey Churchill principal at Liberty Common School, Aristotle Campus. Casey shares with us the reasons behind expansion of Liberty Common into two campuses as well as some of the successes and challenges with replicating a Core Knowledge School.  If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-kn...

In this episode with chatting with Dr. E.D. Hirsch, Jr. At 95 he is not slowing down. He share his thoughts on the Science of Reading, the importance of shared knowledge and much more. If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-knowledge/id1618939881 Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoreKnowledgeFoundation Follow...

In this episode we are talking with Dr. Heather Peske from the National Council for Teacher Quality about their study regarding Building Knowledge in Teacher Preparation Programs: https://www.nctq.org/review/standard/Building-Content-Knowledge#overview Dr. Heather Peske joined NCTQ as President in May 2022. She comes to NCTQ from her role as Senior Associate Commissioner for Instructional Support...

In this episode we are talking with Kelsey Gibbs, kindergarten teacher at Nautilus Elementary in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Kelsey shares her experience with CKLA as well as some tips for kindergarten teachers using CKLA for the first time.  If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-knowledge/id1618939881 Follow us on Facebook...

In this episode we are chatting with two 6th grade teachers about the challenges and successes of CKLA grade 6. Both Cortney and Taylor share some real-life examplesthat are truly brilliant and are testaments to the Core Knowledge Approach. If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-knowledge/id1618939881 Follow us on Facebook:...

 In today’s episode we are talking with Christie Olsen, professional learning coach for the Lake Havasu School District. Christie shares with us the challenges and successes her district has had implementing CKLA, CKHG and CKSci at the same time.   If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-knowledge/id1618939881 Follow us on F...

 In this episode with are talking with Dr. Dan Franck, editorial director of our Core Knowledge Science program. Dan explains to us what science literacy is, why it is so important for our students and what the scientific community has to say about it.    If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-knowledge/id1618939881 Follow...

 In this episode we are discussing the important topic of how to meet the needs of your special education students while using CKLA. We have three leaders Alexis Mays Fields, Natanya Johnson and Dr. Lari Dean who supply insight and ideas on how to increase support to special populations at your school.   If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/...

 In this episode we are talking with Rosie McCormick our publications director and Ilene Goldman managing editor of Core Knowledge History and Geography.  We discuss not only CKHG middle school but we also get a sneak preview of the other CKHG products in development.   If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-knowledge/id161...

In this episode we are chatting with Robert Pondiscio. Robert is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he focuses on K–12 education, curriculum, teaching, school choice, and charter schooling. We discuss the importance of reading comprehension in the Science of Reading, which is being overlooked by some. Here is the link to Roberts's article.https://fordhaminstitut...

On today’s episode we are talking with Dr. Sonia Cabell researcher and an associate professor of reading education in the School of Teacher Education and the Florida Center for Reading Research at Florida State University. Sonia discusses the preliminary findings from her latest research study and we learn more about why content knowledge is a key component in successful literacy instruction. You...

In this episode we are chatting two graduates of a Core Knowledge School in Morganton, NC, Emily Robinson and Zacko Conley. We discuss what they learned at New Dimension School and how a Core Knowledge education helped them in high school and beyond. If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/building-knowledge/id1618939881 Follow us on...

In this episode, we are chatting with Brittany McCleery, music teacher at Willa Cather Elementary School in Omaha, Nebraska. Brittany shares with us how she plans and teaches Music using the Core Knowledge Music sequence. She also provides great suggestions to new as well as experienced music teachers in Core Knowledge schools. If you are enjoying our podcasts, please leave a five star review: htt...