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CML C*O*N*N*E*C*T is CML's periodic newsletter for teachers providing direct online connections to resources, free downloadable lesson plans, news and ideas for media education. It also includes announcements of new books, videos and teaching materials available through CML's "one-stop shop" online catalog and links to relevant articles and background information in the Reading Room section of this website.
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C*O*N*N*E*C*T #37 (Winter 2005/06)
Welcome to the CML Connect Newsletter, your online connection to resources, news and ideas for media education.
A periodic newsletter published by the Center for Media Literacy.
• Good Nutrition, Media Literacy on Menu in Middle School Pilot Project
• CML Readies Young Voters for 21st Century Citizenship
• New Homepage Highlights CML's "Hidden Treasures"
• For the Holidays - Give the gift of Media Literacy
• AMLA Launches Revised Web site
• Kudos come in for Hurricane Coverage Curriculum
Good Nutrition, Media Literacy on Menu in Middle School Pilot Project
CML gave students at Sepulveda Middle School some food for thought recently during a three-week pilot nutrition program arranged by the Nutrition Network of Los Angeles Unified School District. "Media Literacy, A Recipe for Action," taught students media literacy skills as they learned about the key ingredients of a healthy diet.
 The participating group of 19 middle-schoolers analyzed a 30-second advertisement for General Mills' "Fruit Smoothie Blitz" fruit snack and produced their own video featuring their deconstruction of the spot and insights about good nutrition. Participants increased their nutrition savvy by 16% jumping from 79% to 95% in pre-and post-test results. A control class that saw only the student-produced video increased 9%!
With a twofold increase in childhood and adolescent obesity in recent decades, one in five children is now overweight."Media Literacy: A Recipe for Action" gives young people the crucial tools to help them become enlightened consumers of both food and media. The Nutrition Network's Beth Larsen and CML President Tessa Jolls, presented the program and findings at the 2005 National Media Education Conference in San Francisco.
• Read more about this innovative pilot project. . .
• For information on replicating this program, please contact Tessa Jolls at CML.
CML Readies Young Voters for 21st Century Citizenship
With so many sources of political news and information in the American media mix, young citizens may wonder where to look for accurate advice as they form their own political opinions and cast their first ballots. As the 2004 elections demonstrated, celebrities, politicians, pundits and cultural leaders of all stripes are using media in newer and more creative ways to win over crucial voters. Clearly, media literacy is more important than ever for safeguarding the future of our democracy.
Recently, CML youth trainer Peter Worth, aided by facilitators Eric Bailey and Stephen Shaw, presented a half-day seminar on media literacy to 100 high school and college students attending the Arsalyn National Conference in Washington, D.C. The goal of the conference was to "help young people learn how to integrate the information they receive and to use existing media outlets to inform the public of important issues facing young people today." Armed with the 5 Key Questions and 5 Core Concepts of Media Literacy, we're sure these young voters are ready to lead the way.
New Homepage Highlights CML's "Hidden Treasures"
Check out the redesigned CML homepage! Our new entryway to the CML site features highlights from our rich and robust online offerings, which include over 1000 pages of lesson plans, classroom activities, articles from the Reading Room and archived issues of Media&Values magazine.
Be sure to browse CML's Hidden Treasures selections, especially our newly revised chronology of the history of media literacy in the U.S. Decade by Decade. From Marshall McLuhan's pioneering work in the 1960s to the latest developments in 21 st century learning, the collection of 41 documents traces some of the major influences and events that shaped media literacy. Included are descriptions of early curriculum projects and influential documents from around the world as well as conference reports, articles and personal papers from CML founder Elizabeth Thoman, whose work in media literacy goes back to 1977.
For the Holidays - Give the gift of Media Literacy
Looking for just the right gift for a teen poet who aspires to be published? A favorite preschooler who's into super heroes? A future filmmaker or animator? Grandparents who reminisce about TV "back then?" Many of the resources in CML's media literacy catalog make unique and thoughtful gifts for the holidays or all year. All are available online for ordering with CML's secure e-commerce connection through GPN Educational Media. Click on each title for a complete description and finish up your holiday shopping.
For Children:
Teddy's TV Troubles - terrific storybook, activity book and going-to-bed book for kids 3-7.
Eye Spy: An Interactive Coloring Book for Kids 3 - 8 gives parents (or grandparents!) an opportunity to see and hear what their children think about TV and media. Also available in Spanish!
Arthur's TV Trouble The popular PBS star learns about TV commercials - the hard way!
Bionic Bunny Show Classic storybook about super heroes and the power of special effects
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For Tweens and Teens:
Media & Communication: A History of Communication from Hieroglyphics to the Information Superhighway -- Large size picture encyclopedia has fascinating facts and intriguing images. Excellent for middle-schoolers or a teacher of middle school.
Teen's Guide to Getting Published written by teens for teens.
Understanding Comics Scott McCloud's brilliant classic reveals the secrets behind "sequential art."
In Your Face: The Culture of Beauty and You In a lively, engaging format filled with cartoons and photos, this book helps teens look realistically at the beauty images aimed at them by advertisers.
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For Grandparents, Families and media lovers of all ages:
Source Books relive memorable media moments with these handsome coffee table sized books accompanied by audio CDs and/or DVD's containing clips of the original media events. More than just entertainment, they also provide opportunity for intergenerational conversation and a sharing of personal or family experiences relating to the event.
Made You Laugh: The Funniest Moments in Radio, Television, Stand-Up and the Movies
a hilarious history of American comedy from Charlie Chaplin to Chris Rock.
Stay Tuned: Television's Unforgettable Moments Over 35 news and sports events plus classic sitcom and drama scenes including the finale to M*A*S*H.
The Complete War of the Worlds the novel, the script, the broadcast and the aftermath of this notorious 1938 radio show that panicked the nation.
Now Showing: Unforgettable Moments in the Movies great scenes from 25 classic films including Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, Lord of the Rings and The Matrix.
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For your favorite media literacy teacher, aspiring journalist, filmmaker or graduate student:
Great Women of Film : Striking photos and fascinating profiles of 30 pioneering women in film.
How to Read a Film / Multimedia Edition the famous introduction to filmmaking now on DVD.
The Creation of the Media Pulitzer-prize winning author Paul Starr synthesizes the histories of journalism, politics, and communications in a way both innovative and intriguing. |
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 AMLA Launches Revised Web site; OPEN ENROLLMENT for NEW Members thru 12/31
The Alliance for a Media Literate America (AMLA) has launched a "new and improved web site at www.amlainfo.org . featuring updates and information on events, research, conferences and ongoing developments in the media literacy movement. With a growing membership of over 500, the group's new online Member Directory is soon to be an invaluable national database of media literacy leaders, teachers, researchers and practitioners. Because it will be accessible to members only, the organization is currently offering an "Open Enrollment" New Member campaign through December 31, 2005 . If you're not already a member, join today and make sure your PERSONAL PROFILE gets into the national picture.
Kudos come in for Hurricane Coverage Curriculum
Hurricane Katrina's winds have died down but the aftermath is still blowing up a storm. AMLA's outstanding curriculum "Bringing Hurricane Katrina Into the Classroom: Media Literacy Lessons" is receiving kudos from teachers, librarians and a wide range of educational organizations. Featuring a media literacy approach to the media coverage of the disastrous storm, the guide offers teaching tips for different ages, subjects and levels across the school spectrum, with activities and links to other resources designed to " help students analyze, understand, and cope with Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath." These suggestions can also provide a framework for analyzing media coverage of other national and international events in the future.
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