Jan. 30, 2015 Whether it’s using hit movies like Frozen as an icebreaker to talk about social shunning, bullying, social emotional tough stuff or Super Bowl ads as learning tools to ferret out what’s … [Read more...]
Homework? Super Bowl Ads and Media Literacy
January 27, 2015 by Leave a Comment
January 27, 2015 After updating prior Super Bowl posts about the persuasion, impact, influence, and latest trends in Super Bowl Ads, (including this new NFL PSA against domestic violence) it's … [Read more...]
Toy Joy or Consumption Junction? Critical Thinking for Holiday Fun
November 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Dec. 7, 2016 Update Why not turn holiday gifting into a media literacy opportunity? Tomorrow I'll be signing up once again for Samaritan House sorting and stocking for kids less fortunate and I … [Read more...]
Who Won the Debate? Kids’ Focus on Appearance Mirrors Our Country
October 4, 2012 by 2 Comments
Oct. 4, 2012 Ask any kindergartener to assess the debates last night and you’d probably hear simple reactions like: “He smiles more” or “He looks nicer” or “He looks like he didn’t study”…and … [Read more...]
Miss Travel: Misrepresentation Way Beyond Arm Candy
April 26, 2012 by 5 Comments
April 26, 2012 “If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck”… It doesn’t take much inductive reasoning to see Miss Travel is afoul. That said, using critical thinking skills to see why … [Read more...]
A Huge Conversation: Media Literacy Talking Points (Pt 2)
June 27, 2010 by 9 Comments
June 27, 2010 In Part Two of this HUGE conversation (premiering tomorrow on ABC Family, my Part One is here) we'll try to unpack some of the core questions that SHOULD be top of mind to embrace the … [Read more...]
New Years Media Messages: Packaging Boyhood Meets The Hangover
December 29, 2009 by 9 Comments
Dec. 29, 2009 Last night I watched ‘The Hangover’ rated R, which I’d heard described by several YOUNG teens (meaning unable to buy a ticket unless sneaking in via diff. multiplex theater) as … [Read more...]
Counter-Marketing Thinspiration: Killer Media Cues
February 12, 2009 by 17 Comments
Feb. 12, 2009 Media literacy rule number one: Watch for extreme headlines that command attention. I could've gone with 'Fatal Attraction' or any other number of sensationalist eyecatchers. As you can … [Read more...]
Media Simulations Where Kids Cast Their Vote: Silly or Sage?
October 14, 2008 by 7 Comments
I vote sage. But you probably figured that. Sunday's Kids Pick the President Nickelodeon News special fell off my radar...even with Linda Ellerbee’s encouragement to get in the practice of … [Read more...]
Stage-Crafting Politics: Media Literacy Tips for Kids
September 4, 2008 by 6 Comments
Aug. 22, 2016 Update Excellent post by Diana Graber at Cyberwise "What to Tell Kids When Adults Behave Badly" which sadly validates, via Southern Poverty Law Center, how we've unraveled 15 years of … [Read more...]
