When integrated into the elementary curriculum, digital and media literacy addresses some of the very real challenges of contemporary education. Many children are disillusioned with school by the time they reach Grade 3 and negative attitudes about school and learning often intensify during Grades 4 – 6 when students form beliefs and attitudes about school, teachers, and their own capabilities as readers and learners. Because children spend so much time with television, music, the Internet, videogames and other media, exploration of mass media, popular culture and digital media gives children a sense of agency and power that keeps them engaged in learning. We believe that literacy and communication skills develop when children are engaged and motivated in learning.
POWERFUL VOICES FOR KIDS is a free online resource that helps teacher educators introduce digital and media literacy to teachers in the elementary grades. Watch videos of classroom practice, see samples of student work, get lesson plans, and discuss strategies that help children build literacy, language, critical thinking, creative and collaborative skills by exploring mass media, popular culture and digital media tools and technologies.
Ideas for exploring digital and media literacy in elementary school include:
– Interpreting and Creating Photos
– The Power of the PSA
– City as Classroom
– Authors and Audiences
– Remix Play as Media Literacy
– Making Inferences
– Warm and Cool Feedback
You can visit their website: http://powerfulvoicesforkids.com/