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Noodles in the Sandbox Podcast
Noodles in the Sandbox is a playful yet thought-provoking exploration of alternative education, designed for parents who have stepped away from traditional public schools and are seeking the best path for their children. Hosted by experienced educators who lead Acton Academy Northwest Austin (Texas). Together we dive into early education tools, parenting strategies, and focus on cultivating 21st-century skills in a learner-driven environment.
EPISODES ABOUT THE LEARNER-DRIVEN APPROACH
The Role of Structure in a Learner-Driven Environment
In this episode, we discuss how learner-driven environments balance freedom with structure through "creative constraints," empowering young people to manage their own learning within agreed-upon norms and systems.
The Role of Structure in a Learner-Driven Environment
In this episode, we discuss how learner-driven environments balance freedom with structure through "creative constraints," empowering young people to manage their own learning within agreed-upon norms and systems.
Structure in a
Learner-Driven Environment
In this episode, we discuss how learner-driven environments balance freedom with structure through "creative constraints," empowering young people to manage their own learning within agreed-upon norms and systems.
What is
The Hero's Journey
In this episode, we discuss the Hero's Journey, highlighting its presence in everyday life and the importance of embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.

Self-Governance in a
Learner-Driven Environment
What is a
Constructive Critique?
This episode explores how to give feedback that fosters growth, using a parent-child conversation on constructive critique to highlight effective communication strategies.
Feedback in a
Learner-Driven Environment
In this episode, the importance of feedback in learner-driven environments is discussed, emphasizing its role in fostering growth, self-awareness, and connection among young heroes.
3 Monsters in a
Learner-Driven Environment
In this episode, we delve into internal challenges—like Distraction, Resistance, and Victimhood—framing them as "monsters" on our personal Hero's Journeys, and discuss strategies to confront and learn from these obstacles.

The 3 T's of Empowering
Young Learners
VIDEOS
What Makes a Hero?
TED Ed - Matthew Winkler
Explore Joseph Campbell’s concept of the Hero’s Journey and how it applies to life and storytelling. In this video, the narrator illustrates the universal pattern of personal transformation, showing how individuals grow through challenges and triumphs—emphasizing that each of us is the hero of our own journey.
Find a Calling, Change the World
TEDx Talk - Jeff Sandefer
Jeff challenges traditional schooling, showing how learner-driven models empower young people to take ownership of their education and thrive beyond conventional expectations.
Changing Educational Paradigms
TED Talk - Sir Ken Robinson
Sir Ken Robinson challenges outdated, industrial-era schooling that stifles creativity. Sir Ken Robinson critiques standardized testing and rigid structures, advocating for a system that nurtures curiosity, innovation, and diverse thinking.
The Myth of Average
TEDx Talk - Todd Rose
Todd Rose challenges the concept of a "one-size-fits-all" approach to education. Rose argues that embracing individual differences and recognizing the diversity of learners leads to more effective education, pushing for a system that tailors to each student's unique strengths and needs.
Build a School in the Cloud
TED Talk - Sugata Mitra
Sugata explores how education must evolve in a rapidly changing world. Sugata Mitra shares insights from his "Hole in the Wall" experiments, revealing how curiosity and self-directed learning can drive deep understanding without traditional teaching.
Let's Use Video to Reinvent Education
TED Talk - Sal Khan
Sal Khan discusses how technology can transform traditional education by personalizing learning. Khan highlights the potential of online platforms to allow students to learn at their own pace, fostering deeper understanding and mastery while promoting self-directed learning.
How to Help Every Child Fulfill their Potential
TED Talk - Carol Dweck
Carol Dweck explores the concept of a "growth mindset." Dweck emphasizes that believing in the ability to grow through effort and perseverance leads to greater success, resilience, and a love of learning, challenging fixed ideas about intelligence.
RECOMMENDED READING

Courage to Grow
by Laura Sandefer
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A Thomas Jefferson Education
by Oliver DeMille
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The Talent Code
by Daniel Coyle
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NurtureShock
by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
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The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family
by Patrick Lencioni
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Unschooling Rules
by Clark Aldrich
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The One World School House
by Salman Khan
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The Whole-Brain Child
by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
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Parenting with Love and Logic
by Foster Cline and Jim Fay
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Choice Words
by Peter Johnston
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The 5 Love Language of Children
by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell
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Wits, Gut, Grit
by Jena Pincott
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GET YOUR SCHOOL INFO KIT TODAY!
Your child’s education doesn’t have to fit into a box. At Acton Academy Northwest Austin, learners are empowered to lead their own learning adventure—fueled by curiosity, creativity, and nature. Ready to reimagine what school can be? Grab your free Info Kit and start the journey today!
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