United Nations Association Film Fest: Not Your Ordinary Kids Flicks!

Is it me, or is the 11th United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF) a screamin’ deal and a fabulous find? (tix here) Yah, yah, I know…documentary schmockumentary, too heavy when finances are in the commode, spirits are tankin’, kids are feelin’ the second-hand stress, and we want to lob humor and fun into the mix…(Well, we DO have … [Read more...]

Filmmakers Amy Kalafa and Amy Jussel Team Up Oct.20!

For those fed up with junk food in school lunch programs come stir up a recipe for change, as Shaping Youth once again hosts our “screen a movie, make a difference” film fest, this time with ONE of the TWO Angry moms in person! Filmmaker Amy Kalafa is joining us Monday, October 20 at Parents Place right here in San Mateo, before her screening the next day at the … [Read more...]

Do Youth See Politicians As Puppets?

As MyDebates.org gives kids a MySpace forum for Social Studies classrooms to attempt to instill a civic sense of  ‘how it all works’ with “Who won? Who lost?’ Who made the stronger case?” it makes me ponder if we're perhaps asking kids the wrong question entirely. I'm all for teaching kids how to watch a debate, and giving media literacy … [Read more...]

Youth Riffs On HFCS Ads: Web 2.0 Satire Is Snowballing

What do ants and rubber tree plants have to do with syrupy HFCS ads and high hopes for the future of youth media mobilization? Stay with me after the jump to find out... Last week I wrote about my teen's incredulous response to the patronizing propaganda sugar-coating the airwaves about HFCS, high fructose corn syup… Then I followed up with the dietary … [Read more...]

Sensationalist Slop: “Dear Media, Please Do Your Job…”

Further to this week's article on ‘what sells’ in sensationalized media coverage, need we remind kids that the same thing applies to our upcoming election season? As children try to make sense of this adult world of dirty laundry flinging, sound bites and reality show gymnastics, we need to help kids connect the dots with both election media literacy and grounded … [Read more...]