A conversation with Antioch education core faculty member Laura Thomas about the Critical Skills Classroom approach, her new book on the subject, and why cycles of action and reflection are so important for students—and for everyone.
The Critical Skills Classroom was founded forty years ago. This approach to classroom teaching pulls together experiential learning, cycles of action and reflection, and the cultivation of emotional intelligence. But today’s guest, Laura Thomas, says that the Critical Skills Classroom is still in some ways a secret—a good idea that more people should know about. That’s part of why she is marking the anniversary by releasing a 400-page book about the approach: The Complete Guide to the Critical Skills Classroom. In this conversation we talk with Laura about why the approach is more relevant today than ever, why cycles of action and reflection are so important, and what she sees for the future of this approach—and public education as a whole.
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Learn more about the Critical Skills Classroom at the Critical Skills Classroom website. This resource contains free lesson plans, e-books, an FAQ, and more.
The book Laura edited is The Complete Guide to the Critical Skills Classroom. It is available on Amazon in hardcover, softcover, and e-book editions.
If you enjoyed this episode, consider listening to our 2022 Seed Field Podcast interview with Laura Thomas, “To Grow Emotional Literacy, a Classroom Must Become a Community.”
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This episode was recorded June 24, 2025 via Squadcast and released July 30, 2025.
The Seed Field Podcast is produced by Antioch University
Host: Jasper Nighthawk
Editor: Nastasia Green
Producer: Karen Hamilton
Work-Study Assistants: Stefanie Paredes, Lauren Arienzale, Dani LaPointe, and Liza Wisner.
Additional Production Help: Jen Mont, Amelia Bryan, Melinda Garland, and Laurien Alexandre.