Hey Grads! Free Gift For You! Josh Shipp’s 2010 Graduation Rap

June 5, 2010 As high schools pour out cap-flipping whoops and hollers from an elated senior class, the hidden layer beneath reveals a wee bit of queasiness about entering a lousy economy fraught with adult foul-ups, oilspill disasters and uncertainty… So grads? Josh Shipp's inspiring rap is a free gift for YOU. (video after the jump---my favorite line is captured above, … [Read more...]

Age of Conversation & Kids: Digital Citizens v Snark Tanks

May 26, 2010 When I mention social media being part of kids’ identity, parents often cringe and squinch up their faces like I’ve force fed them BeanBoozled Jelly Bellies in pickle and ‘rotten egg’ flavor. Some parents perceive social media to be one behemoth danger zone of Facebook/Formspring/Game Chat/Text-fest "words that wound"---injuring kids like drive-by hit-n-run … [Read more...]

Earth Day: 40 Eco Links Worth Recycling to Friends

April 20, 2020 Update: (How often does that happen 20-2020?) 4-21-2020: Amidst the "Contagion" concerns of COVID-19, take a moment to imagine what POSITIVE CONTAGION taking action on climate change could look like... Here are just a few ways to engage and inspire kids with green media to advocate for our planet's future! 4-20-2018 update: I'll spare you the countless … [Read more...]

Using Kid Lit To Read The Right Message About Bullying

April 18, 2010 Many of you know I clench when I hear the word ‘reporter’ (even though I’m one and the same, it’s different when you’re behind the keyboard) because media has powerful potential to ignite infernos and give too much heat to ill-placed words, creating drama instead of preventing same....So imagine my exhale when today’s edition of the Chicago Tribune rightfully … [Read more...]

Spring Break Sanctuary: Away From Digital Dramas, Peer Reality Shows

Mar. 25, 2016 Just back from a 'spring break' social media hiatus reprising our unplugged trip to Catalina Island, albeit only day tripping vs a leisurely week away, as we tried to 'recreate' and rediscover the digital detox and slow pace of the beach bungalow backstory. In 'that was then this is now' mode, it was interesting to see how my now collegiate daughter longed for … [Read more...]