Rethinking Normal: A Podcast for Liberatory Educators Rethinking Normal

In this episode, I give you an overview of the vision and goals behind this podcast.

This podcast aims to share with you everything I am learning about translating critical theory into classroom practice. Each episode will break down a powerful activity or pedagogical concept that has the potential to move participants towards anti-oppressive and liberatory learning. 

This episode is all about social constructs. First, I explain what social constructs are and why I think that exploring them is a crucial part of a social justice learning journey. Then, I talk you through a visualization I’ve created to help students understand the construction of social identities, and how the identity categories we use are informed by power.



Download the facilitator guide for this episode here: ⁠https://rethinkingnormal.org/product/shmark-a-visualization-on-power-social-constructs/⁠

Philosophy Tube's video "Social Constructs (or 'What is A Woman, Really?): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koud7hgGyQ8&t=1288s.

In this episode, I introduce several variations of the "comfort zones" activity that encourages students to interact and discuss various perspectives. This "comfort zones" framework serves a dual purpose: it can either prompt quiet and individual introspection, or facilitate lively dialogues among students, allowing them to share how their personal experiences shape their perspectives.
It is adaptable to virtually any topic you wish to explore in the classroom.
My website: www.rethinkingnormal.org

Chad Littlefield's youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@chad.littlefield

Today's episode is exciting! I sit down with Nic Dinato, the creator of an original Rethinking Normal simulation called "Origami Hearts Inc.".

This engaging simulation is designed to provide participants with a solid understanding of the fundamental workings of waged labor and profit accumulation. It emphasizes that workers produce significantly more value than what they are fairly compensated for, yet they receive almost none of the surplus value.

During our conversation, my guest and I dissect the mechanics of running the simulation, diving into the learning theory embedded in each stage of the game.

To download the resources: https://rethinkingnormal.org/product/origami-hearts-inc-podcast-ep-5/

To get in touch with Nic: dinatodesigns@gmail.com

This podcast talks through a hands-on lesson plan that helps participants understand that disability is a socially constructed category, similar to gender or race.

Download the facilitator guide here: https://rethinkingnormal.org/curriculum-store/

In this episode, I share a teaching strategy related to anti-oppression pedagogy that I have found to be very helpful. I begin by explaining why exploring dominant narratives is an important part of an anti-oppressive learning journey, and then I delve into some of the ways that "Professor Culture" can help make this process interactive, engaging, and memorable for your students.

Download all facilitator resources here: https://rethinkingnormal.org/curriculum-store/

My email: marine@rethinkingnormal.org