Reading News Online
Kids find and read news in lots of different ways. But studies show they're not very good at interpreting what they see. How can we help them get better? Teaching your students about the structure of online news articles is an important place to start.
Video: bit.ly/OlyNMV1
Family Activity: Decoding Images. bit.ly/OlyNMFR1
Tip #3: Explore Different Sides of a Story!
Use real-life examples to help kids understand how people can view the same situation with totally different perspectives. One child might experience a game on the playground as fun, while another might feel like the rules are unfair. Sibling conflict can be a great example of how two people can have wildly different opinions about the same event. With older children, talk through controversial subjects and take turns arguing for different sides to help kids understand various viewpoints.
Fake News has been around for a long time. Track its history from 63 B.C. through present day in this infographic. Where do you see Fake News today? How does it impact your life? Does it impact the type of media you consume, or where you consume it?
Congratulations to Raelynn Lemons who won the 21/22 Yearbook Cover Contest! Her entry beautifully encapsulated our theme of Stronger Together! Way to go Rae!
Filter Bubble Trouble
When we get news from our social media feeds, it often only tells us part of the story. Our friends -- and the website's algorithms -- tend to feed us perspectives we already agree with. Show students ways to escape the filter bubble and make sure their ideas about the world are being challenged.
https://youtu.be/mh1dLvGe06Y - BBC
Tip #2: Play "Spot The Ad"
When you see advertising on TV or on a billboard, ask your children to figure out what the ad is selling. Sometimes it's obvious, and sometimes it's not. Help them explore why certain pictures, sounds, or words are used to sell certain products.
Well-crafted headlines benefit everyone. They help readers digest information and publishers sell news stories. But what if the headline is misleading? What if it's crafted just to get clicks and not to inform? "Clickbait" headlines may benefit advertisers and publishers (think $$$), but they don't benefit readers. And when they go viral, they can badly misinform the public.
This week, look for clickbait headlines in the media that you consume and discuss them with your family. How many can you find before Sunday rolls around!?
bit.ly/OlyNMV2
All media comes with an author and an agenda. Help kids think critically about any media they view with critical questions that dig below the surface. And to really empower kids, have them create their own media with these same questions in mind.
Tip #1: Encourage Healthy Skepticism
Help your children analyze the info around them, from toy packaging to Instagram posts to news headlines, and question the purpose of the words and images they see. Teach kids how to use fact-checking tools like Snopes and FactCheck.org.
With so much media and information coming at us through the television, phones, social media, and more, it's more important than ever for kids to understand the basics of media literacy. When kids can identify different types of news and media and the methods and meanings behind them, they're on their way to being critical thinkers and smart consumers.
Throughout the month, we will be sharing a set of five tips to help your children become critical thinkers of news and media. Here is a short video to get those conversations started!
bit.ly/OlyNMV5
Don't forget: Family Reading Night is TOMORROW!
Friday, December 3rd is ONE's COVID vaccine clinic. This is open to all adults and children (5yrs and older) who would like to get the vaccine. Vaccines will ONLY be given to those who have completed and returned a signed permission slip. Parents are welcome to come and be with their child during the vaccine. Please complete the consent and bring your QR code. Here is the link to sign up. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rB3HXVvrh4gSN6gg0r4YHnSMeeItHFTg/view
For further questions, please contact Katie in the main office.
This Wednesday, December 1st is an Early Release Day. Elementary students will be dismissed at noon after lunch is served. AM PreK will be in attendance.
Help! My Kid Wants to Use Social Media! Get your child -- and yourself -- ready for the next step with these conversation starters. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/help-my-kid-wants-to-use-social-media
Check out this short video for your elementary kiddos around what a digital footprint really means. We already K-5 students posting and interacting online, so let's start some good habits early! http://bit.ly/OlyDFV2
As soon as you share the first photo of your kid, you're establishing their digital footprint. As kids get older and start creating their own content or engaging with others online, it's important for them to understand the tracks they're leaving behind and what those tracks might reveal. Parents can help guide kids toward creating the kind of footprint they can be proud of. https://www.commonsense.org/education/family-tips/k-5-digital-footprint-and-identity
Mark your Calendars!
Student-designed yearbooks have been an Oly North tradition for many years. The contest is optional and open to all Olympia North students. We look forward to seeing all of the entries!
The Mclean County Health Department will be here tomorrow for the COVID vaccine clinic. Please make sure that your student brings their consent form if you wish to have them get the vaccine. NO vaccines will be given without the consent. Parents are welcome to come with their student. Please let me Katie know if you have any questions.
Video: bit.ly/OlyDFV1
Many kids are already posting and sharing information about themselves. But in a world where oversharing might seem like the norm, it’s important for kids to think about their digital footprints. Listen to what these teens have to say about sharing on social media. Are you making the right sharing decisions?
