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News

Picture Perfect Ponderings: picture book picks for curious minds

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By Shawn Sheller

Welcome to This Month’s Adventure!

Have you ever wondered what happens to a ship after it sinks to the ocean floor? Does it just sit there, lonely and forgotten? Spoiler alert: it doesn’t! This month, we’re diving deep—literally—into a book that transforms the way we think about endings and beginnings. There’s something magical about picture books, isn’t there? They have this incredible power to take big, complex ideas and make them accessible, beautiful, and utterly captivating for readers of all ages. Whether you’re snuggled on the couch with a preschooler or sharing a quiet moment with an older child, the right book can spark conversations that surprise and delight you both. That’s exactly what Sunken Ship by Amy Hevron does—it invites us to see the world beneath the waves with fresh eyes and curious hearts. So grab your favorite reading buddy, find a cozy spot, and let’s explore together!

This Month’s Featured Book

Sunken Ship by Amy Hevron
ISBN: 978-1-66593-500-5

Why This Book Sparks Conversation

In Sunken Ship, Amy Hevron takes young readers on an underwater journey through time, showing how a sunken vessel transforms from human-made object into a thriving marine habitat. Through stunning illustrations and accessible text, this picture book introduces children to ecological succession—the process by which ecosystems change and develop over time. What makes this book particularly valuable for media literacy education is its implicit message about information sources and scientific observation. The book demonstrates how scientists study underwater environments and how we can verify information about natural processes through multiple forms of evidence. Perfect for grades K–2, this book bridges STEM learning with critical thinking about how we know what we know about the natural world.

STEM Connections

This book addresses key science concepts including artificial reefs, marine habitats, and ecological succession. Young readers discover how structures like shipwrecks provide surfaces for coral and algae to grow, creating homes for fish, octopuses, and countless other ocean creatures. The career connection to marine biology helps children envision how scientists study and protect ocean ecosystems, making STEM careers feel accessible and exciting.

Ponderings to Share

Use these discussion prompts to deepen critical thinking about environmental science and information evaluation:

What impact does the ship have on the ocean habitat?

This question encourages young readers to observe cause-and-effect relationships in ecosystems. Children can identify how the ship provides shelter, surfaces for organisms to attach to, and creates a complex structure that supports biodiversity. This pondering builds foundational ecological thinking while developing observation and inference skills essential for both science and media literacy.

Is this book telling the truth about the ship? How do I know?

This critical media literacy question helps even our youngest learners begin evaluating information sources. Guide children to notice that the book shows a process that happens over time, uses realistic illustrations based on scientific observation, and presents information that can be verified through other sources. This pondering introduces the concept that we can check whether information is accurate by looking for evidence and comparing multiple sources.

What sources did the author use for information?

Examining author research helps children understand that quality nonfiction books are based on expert knowledge and scientific study. Look together at any author’s notes, acknowledgments, or back matter that might reveal how Amy Hevron gathered information about artificial reefs and marine ecosystems. This pondering teaches children that credible information comes from research, expert consultation, and careful observation—skills that transfer directly to evaluating online content and other media.

Should we preserve shipwrecks? Why or why not?

This open-ended question invites children to consider multiple perspectives and weigh competing values. Some shipwrecks are important historical artifacts that tell human stories, while others have become vital marine habitats. This pondering develops critical thinking about environmental ethics, historical preservation, and the complexity of real-world decision-making, recognizing that important questions often don’t have simple right or wrong answers.

Extension Activity

Create a simple “Before and After” drawing showing how the ship changes over time as it becomes a reef. Label the different organisms that make their home on the artificial reef. Then research one of these creatures using a reliable source (library book, educational website, or nature documentary) and share one fact you learned. This activity reinforces the science content while practicing information-seeking skills.

For Educators and Families

Sunken Ship offers a perfect opportunity to discuss how scientists use observation, documentation, and time-lapse studies to understand slow environmental changes. Consider exploring underwater photography and videography as tools that help marine biologists share their discoveries with the world—connecting STEM practices with media creation and information sharing.

Free Downloadable Resources

Until Next Time…

Isn’t it amazing how a simple picture book can open up entire worlds of wonder and conversation? That shipwreck on the ocean floor isn’t just a story—it’s a gateway to understanding ecosystems, asking better questions, and seeing the extraordinary in what might seem ordinary at first glance. I hope Sunken Ship becomes a treasured part of your home or classroom library, and that the conversations it sparks ripple outward long after you’ve turned the final page.

Remember, every time we read together and ask thoughtful questions, we’re not just learning facts—we’re building curious, critical thinkers who will navigate our complex world with confidence and wonder. I’d love to hear about your experiences with this book! What surprised your young readers? What questions did they ask that you hadn’t anticipated? Share your stories with me—after all, we’re all in this beautiful journey of learning together.

News, People

Remembering Barbara Johnson

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It is with great sadness that we note the passing of Barbara Johnson, one of AME’s founding members. Barbara remained one of media literacy’s most staunch advocates, working tirelessly to support and promote media literacy initiatives both within our state of Washington and nationally. 

Governor Inslee signs the very first media literacy bill in our nation in 2016.
From left to right:
Governor Jay Inslee, Dennis Small, Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Marilyn Cohen, Action for Media Education, Barbara Johnson, Action for Media Education

In addition to her involvement with AME, Barbara served for over 30 years as a key staff member for the Northwest Center for Excellence in Media Literacy, based in the College of Education at the University of Washington. During this time, Barbara helped to provide leadership on many of the Center’s projects.  Colleagues who worked with Barbara greatly admired her tremendous organizational skills and the important guidance she was able to provide.  Her passion for media literacy education was always a driving force and served as an inspiration not only to new students in this field but also to the many experienced teachers with whom she regularly had contact. 

During her final days, both colleagues and friends from throughout the country sent messages of support, respect and love. This tremendous outpouring of emotion reflected the impact that Barbara has had on so many people.  She will long be remembered for her kind and gentle spirit, her patient advice and guidance in difficult situations and the courage and perseverance which were apparent whenever she was presented challenges both professionally as well as personally during her long battle with illness. 

Barbara Johnson speaks after receiving the AME Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.  

In 2018 AME awarded Barbara a lifetime achievement award for all her many contributions to media literacy education.  Barbara will be greatly missed. For all of us in AME who have had the privilege of working with her, we find this message she received from Senator Marko Liias, Washington’s champion for media literacy legislation, particularly meaningful:

“Barbara, I want to thank you for your relentless dedication to helping our young Washingtonians have a better understanding of this wild, crazy world we live in. I will always cherish the work we got to do together promoting media literacy. Your grace, poise, and deeply caring nature will be something I will always carry with me. You can rest assured that we will carry on and continue this important work, and we know you will be with us every step of the way.”

Bill Update, Education, Media Literacy, News, Politics, Social Media, Take Action

2017 Law Promotes Media Literacy for students in WA Schools

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On Thursday, April 20, our bill became a law! Governor Jay Inslee signed it with AME representatives Barbara Johnson, Nick Pernisco and Marilyn Cohen present. The law will go into effect on July 23.

This bill, ESSB 5449, is a follow up to SSB 6273.  That bill made us the first state in the country to pass media literacy legislation, making Washington the model state. Read more about our success passing SSB 6273 here.

Now media literacy legislation has moved still another step forward in Washington with the passage of a second bill ESSB 5449 in 2017.

In speaking with the group, Governor Inslee noted how this bill was addressing an important subject.

Multiple news articles have come out to coverage the passing of this bill:

View images from the bill signing below.

Bill Update, Events, News, Politics, Slideshow

2017 Law Promotes Media Literacy for students in WA Schools

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On Thursday, April 20, our bill became a law! Governor Jay Inslee signed it with AME representatives Barbara Johnson, Nick Pernisco and Marilyn Cohen present. The law will go into effect on July 23.

This bill, ESSB 5449, is a follow up to SSB 6273.  That bill made us the first state in the country to pass media literacy legislation, making Washington the model state. Read more about our success passing SSB 6273 here.

Now media literacy legislation has moved still another step forward in Washington with the passage of a second bill ESSB 5449 in 2017.

In speaking with the group, Governor Inslee noted how this bill was addressing an important subject.

Multiple news articles have come out to coverage the passing of this bill:

View images from the bill signing below.

Capitol dome
Pictured: Barbara Johnson, Action for Media Education and Marilyn Cohen, NW Center for Media Literacy, College of Education, UW
Pictured left to right: Dennis Small, Educational Technology Director, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Sharyn Merrigan, Teacher-Librarian, Olympia School District, Jessica Vavrus, Washington State School Directors’ Association and Carolyn Logue, Washington State Library Association.
Pictured left to right: Evan Smith, Legislative Assistant, Curt Kohlwes, Executive Legislative Assistant and Sen. Marko Liias 21st District-Lynnwood.
Pictured left to right: Jessica Vavrus, Washington State School Directors’ Association, Carolyn Logue, Washington State Library Association, Sharyn Merrigan, Teacher-Librarian, Olympia School District, Dennis Small, Educational Technology Director, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Nick Pernisco, Action for Media Education, Evan Smith, Legislative Assistant, Marilyn Cohen, NW Center for Media Literacy, College of Education, UW, Senator Marko Liias 21st District-Lynnwood and Curt Kohlwes, Executive Legislative Assistant.
ESSB 5449 Bill History
Marilyn Cohen shaking hands with Gov. Jay Inslee. Pictured left to right: Curt Kohlwes, Executive Legislative Assistant, Sen. Marko Liias 21st District-Lynnwood, Marilyn Cohen, NW Center for Media Literacy, College of Education, UW, Carolyn Logue, Washington State Library Association and Gov. Jay Inslee.
Pictured left to right: Gov. Jay Inslee, Dennis Small, Educational Technology Director, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Marilyn Cohen, NW Center for Media Literacy, College of Education, UW and Barbara Johnson, Action for Media Education.

Education, Entertainment, Events, Media Literacy, News, Slideshow, Social Media

Navigating The New Abnormal: Tips for Parents

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As part of our launch of Media Literacy Week, we are excited to promote the work of Dr. Don Shifrin, Emeritus Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at University of Washington – School of Medicine as he helps us to understand important concepts around screen time and digital citizenship while we are all participating in remote learning.  Watch AMEs interview with Dr. Don by viewing the links below:

Dr. Don’s Full Interview
The value of Screentime
On Mentoring and Isolation
Managing CellPhones and Promoting Healthy Sleep Habits
Donald Shifrin – Immunization Advocates

Dr. Don Shifrin has been a beloved pediatrician to his patients for 40 years as well as a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington. His knowledge and active interest in the field of Media Literacy have earned  him an often self-proclaimed role of a “Mediatrician.”Dr. Shifrin has been a very active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics throughout his long career. He has testified before Congress, represented the Academy on national task forces, chaired an Academy committee, led media training for Academy leadership, and was the co-editor for the Academy’s first parent newsmagazine, Healthy Children.  You may recognize him from the AAP’s “A Minute for Kids” radio program and from other radio and television spots where he often expertly speaks about media issues as they relate to our nation’s children. His views on navigating the media literacy issues of today offer invaluable advice to parents, teachers and children of all ages.

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Michael Danielson is AME’s Chairperson. He has been a teacher at Seattle Prep for 26 years. He has been teaching Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship for decades, but most recently in a semester course for 9th graders. He is also the EdTech director helping to train teachers and students in the best use of technology. Michael has been a writer for the Center for Media Literacy.

Corona Showcase, Education, Media Literacy, News, People, Places, Social Media

Action for Media Education Announces a New Initiative: The Corona Multimedia Showcase

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Action for Media Education Announces a New Initiative: The Corona Multimedia Showcase

For Immediate Release
Date: 6/3/2020

If we could ask kids around the world what they’re thinking and feeling right now, what would they say? Action for Media Education (AME) https://actionformediaeducation.org is inviting young people from ages 3-19 and their families to participate in an international online exhibit of creative work that reflects their lives in this time of COVID-19.

More than 40 countries are participating in the Corona Multimedia Showcase initiative. Now AME seeks entries from young people across the United States.

The Showcase provides a platform for children, youth and their families to create and display media projects in a variety of formats. These projects will be digitally published on our Showcase website.

The Showcase is intended to provide young people around the world with the opportunity to:

  • Express their thoughts, feelings and ideas
  • Engage them in reflecting critically on their work and support their best efforts
  • Help them share their experiences with other young people and their families around the world
  • Provide a place for them to display their creative work and express their own unique voices
  • Inspire hope and demonstrate that we will persevere, with our courage and creativity, during this crisis and into a new future

Please help us spread the word to your family, your community and those with whom you work.

  • Submissions and participation are free.
  • This is NOT a competition but a festival celebrating the creativity of children and youth throughout the world.
  • The deadline for submissions is October 9, 2020. All projects (reviewed by a large group of experts) will be posted on the Showcase website by the end of October.

To submit an entry, find ideas and resources, and join the conversation:

Corona Multimedia Showcase https://coronashowcase.org/

Twitter @coronashowcase

Instagram #coronashowcase

Facebook Corona Multimedia Showcase


For more information, please contact: Marilyn Cohen, macohen@uw.edu

Bill Update, Education, Media Literacy, News

New Media Literacy Grants Available Now

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Washington’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is accepting grant applications for its media literacy grant program now
and the due date is May 28th! 

Grant applications must focus on one of the following:
1. Development or adaptation of at least one openly-licensed 2-4 week curriculum unit focused on media literacy or digital citizenship, or both, which can be integrated into social studies, English language arts, or health classes, and is aligned with Washington state standards in these content areas

OR

2. Implementation of an existing openly-licensed 2-4 week curriculum unit focused on media literacy or digital citizenship, and use of this experience to develop extended or supplemental curricular materials (e.g., add supports for ELL or special education students, add optional supplemental lessons, etc.).  

Submissions may come from a public school, district office, ESD or a partnership between multiple educational partners. Only one proposal may be submitted per organization. Grant requests may not exceed $25,000. 
Washington’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) will soon be accepting grant applications for its media literacy grant program.

Currently, OSPI’s plan is to make an announcement about these new grants between early and mid-April with applications due in mid-May. Should these dates change, we’ll be sure to let you know.

Grant applications must focus on one of the following:

1. Development or adaptation of at least one openly-licensed 2-4 week curriculum unit focused on media literacy or digital citizenship, or both, which can be integrated into social studies, English language arts, or health classes, and is aligned with Washington state standards in these content areas

OR

2. Implementation of an existing openly-licensed 2-4 week curriculum unit focused on media literacy or digital citizenship, and use of this experience to develop extended or supplemental curricular materials (e.g., add supports for ELL or special education students, add optional supplemental lessons, etc.).  
Submissions may come from a public school, district office, ESD or a partnership between multiple educational partners. Only one proposal may be submitted per organization. Grant requests may not exceed $25,000. 

Twelve grant recipients received awards for 2019-2020.  Applications for this second round of funding will focus on implementation during 2020-2021.  Grant application details will be available from OSPI in April. For more information, please contact Dennis Small Dennis.Small@k12.wa.us

Twelve grant recipients received awards for 2019-2020.  Applications for this second round of funding will focus on implementation during 2020-2021.  Grant application details will be available from OSPI in April. For more information, please contact Dennis Small Dennis.Small@k12.wa.us
Education, Media Literacy, News, Social Media

Media Literacy Grants Awarded!

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Washington’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction made history when it recently announced the first group of recipients for our state’s new media literacy grant program. This is the first grant program focused on media literacy offered anywhere in the nation!
Funds were awarded through a competitive process to 12 school-based teams.

Grant Awardees for 2019-20:

  • Ballard High School (Seattle SD)
  • Bryant Elementary School (Seattle SD)
  • Castle Rock SD
  • Central Valley High School
  • Columbia River High School (Vancouver SD)
  • La Conner SD
  • North Central ESD 171
  • Port Townsend SD
  • Selah SD
  • Soos Creek Elementary School (Kent SD)
  • Tacoma SD
  • Whatcom Intergenerational High School

Teams could apply for curriculum grants of up to $25,000 or planning grants of up to $5000. The five teams receiving curriculum grants were Ballard, Central Valley High School, North Central ESD 171, Soos Creek Elementary, Kent SD and LaConner SD in collaboration with high schools in Burlington, Mt. Vernon, and Anacortes. The remaining six teams received planning grants.

All grant recipients will focus on developing media literacy-based curriculum units that can be integrated into social studies, English language arts or health classes. All units will be shared on the OER Commons Washington Hub so that they can be easily accessed by teachers across the state.

The new media literacy grant program was established with a $300,000 allocation from the 2019 Legislature. $150,000 was available for this grant round. The next grant cycle will be announced in Spring, 2020 when another $150,000 in funding will be available for distribution.

Action for Media Education (AME) continues to promote and advocate for media literacy education. Please follow us on Facebook. We encourage you to stay tuned to AME for more media literacy-related happenings in our state in 2020! 

Education, Media Literacy, News

Educators and Parents: You’re Already Teaching Media Literacy

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For Elementary and Secondary Students

AME board members have created a new elementary handout for teachers just in time for Media Literacy Week, with a reminder that we can use these ideas every day of the year. Special thanks to Kathryn Egawa, Anne Aliverti, Shawn Sheller for their work on these handouts.  Also check out our handout for secondary school teachers developed by Kathryn Egawa, Ethan Delavan, Janith Pewitt, and Michael Danielson. 

Please click on each image to download the pdfs.

Education, Media Literacy, News, Social Media

Joanne Lisosky Interview: Media Literacy Week challenges students to be critical media consumers. Adults, too.

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Media Literacy Week asks people to think hard about the information they're consuming, and asks teachers to talk about it in their classrooms.

Media Literacy Week asks people to think hard about the information they’re consuming, and asks teachers to talk about it in their classrooms. PAULA WISSEL /  KNKX

Educators in Washington state — and around the world — are spending time this week talking about media literacy. It’s part of a special week designed to boost students’ understanding of how different forms of media function.

“When it comes to media literacy, we mean everything,” said Joanne Lisosky, who taught media studies at Pacific Lutheran University prior to her recent retirement. Social media, visual media, aural media — any outside stimulus counts.

“Media literacy education didn’t start in the U.S.,” she said. “It started in Europe and Australia and Canada. You can’t graduate from high school without having a class in media literacy.”
“When it comes to media literacy, we mean everything,” said Joanne Lisosky, who taught media studies at Pacific Lutheran University prior to her recent retirement. Social media, visual media, aural media — any outside stimulus counts.

“Media literacy education didn’t start in the U.S.,” she said. “It started in Europe and Australia and Canada. You can’t graduate from high school without having a class in media literacy.”

That’s not the case in the United States, and Lisosky worries that makes Americans more susceptible to being tricked by fake news.

Washington state officially recognized Media Literacy Week when Gov. Jay Inslee signed a proclamation in 2016. It encourages teachers across the state to talk about media literacy in their classrooms.

But media literacy is important for adults, too, and Lisosky says she regularly hears from people who want help deconstructing journalism – figuring out why a story was done a certain way, and why certain outlets favor one type of story over another.

Lisosky says there are five questions any of us can ask ourselves to start critically analyzing what we’re receiving from any kind of media, from TV programs to news to highway billboards:

  • Who made this up? Think about who wrote the story, or paid for the ad, or made the film.
  • What strategies were used to get my attention? “If you can figure that out,” Lisosky said, “then you’ll have an idea of why you were watching this.”
  • How might someone else view this differently than I am viewing this?
  • What is the point of view of the sender?
  • Why are they motivated to send this message to me?

Hear Joanne Lisosky’s full conversation. And check out resources for both teachers and parents on our website.

Media Literacy, News, Social Media

MEDIA LITERACY WEEK 2019

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Media literacy is the focus of activities around the world this week.

In the U.S.: The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) is hosting the 5th Annual U.S. Media Literacy Week from October 21-25, 2019. The mission of Media Literacy Week is to raise awareness about the need for media literacy education and its essential role in education today. Organizations, schools, educators and Media Literacy Week partners from all over the country will work with NAMLE to participate in events including #MediaLitWk classroom lessons, virtual events, online chats, screenings, PSA’s, panel discussions and more.

International: The yearly Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week, initiated in 2012, is led by UNESCO in cooperation with GAPMIL, UNAOC and the MIL and Intercultural Dialogue (MILID) University Network. It unites diverse actors committed to promoting MIL as a way to foster social inclusion and intercultural dialogue.

The eighth annual global celebration of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week will be celebrated from 24 to 31 October 2019. Global MIL Week 2019 highlights will include the Ninth MILID Conference and the Youth Agenda Forum, to be held in Gothenburg (Sweden), from 24 to 26 September 2019.

Read more about NAMLE and Media Literacy Week here.

Read more about Global Media and Information Literacy Week here.

Education, Media Literacy, News

Media Literacy Planning Grants Available

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Here’s something to share with your friends in K-12 education: we are excited about the new media literacy grant program from the Washington’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Grants of up to $25,000 are available for teaching teams representing school districts across Washington State. 

 October 21 is the deadline, but if you feel you’re not quite ready to submit a full proposal, here’s another option.  Planning grants of $5000 are also now available.  

Submit a planning grant by October 21st and you’ll be ready for the next grant round in spring 2020. All you need to do is assemble a small team of educators who would work together, describe briefly the idea on which your team will focus and outline the budget needed for up to $5000.

Grant applications are available online at https://www.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/school-technology/free-software-grants

For more information, contact Dennis Small,  dennis.small@k12.wa.us or 360-725-6384.

Bill Update, Media Literacy, News

Grant Money: A Media Literacy First

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The 2019 Washington State legislature has allocated $150,000 in state funds for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to establish a K-12 media literacy grant program in 2019–2020. Action for Media Literacy Education is pleased to announce this news as another media literacy first for Washington State and the nation.

These funds will be awarded in September through a competitive grant process. Six to ten school teams will receive grants to develop and share openly-licensed curriculum units focused on three subject areas: social studies, English language arts, or health classes. A unique feature of these units is that they will be designed using a media literacy lens to address content commonly covered in one of these three subject areas.  

Examples of ideas for curriculum units designed from a media literacy lens:

  • Exploring media influence on teen perspectives concerning a particular health issue (e.g. teen pregnancy prevention)
  • Analyzing and evaluating media sources that describe an important historical event
  • Examining issues of copyright, fair use, and intellectual property as they apply to materials produced for an English language arts class

Submissions may come from a public school, district office, ESD, or a partnership between multiple educational partners. Only one proposal may be submitted per organization. Grant requests may not exceed $25,000; most awards are anticipated to be in the $15,000 range.

Grant application details and information will be available from OSPI in late August, 2019. For more information, contact Dennis Small: dennis.small@k12.wa.us or (360) 725-6384.

Media Literacy, News

Senator Marko Liias Honored for Work in Media Literacy

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Senator Liias, center, with AME board members Jenny Gawronski, Michael Danielson, Marilyn Cohen, and Barbara Johnson

Washington State Senator Marko Liias was invited to speak in Jenny Gawronski’s Digital Media Literacy class at the University of Washington on May 28. The class session focused on ground-breaking pieces of media literacy legislation that have passed in Washington since 2016.

Senator Liias played a key role in the passage of this legislation, which has established Washington as a model for the nation. Action for Media Education (AME) board members were there to present Senator Liias with a Certificate of Appreciation for his leadership role in passing this legislation. 

Media literacy advocates are currently celebrating Washington’s third piece of legislation which will, for the first time, allocate state funds for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish a K-12 media literacy grant program in 2019–2020. For more information, contact Dennis Small: dennis.small@k12.wa.us or (360) 725-6384.

Thank you Senator Liias, for your work in media literacy!

News

Earth Day Message from a 4th Grade Student

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Farhiya is a 4th grade student in Kent, Washington who is on her school’s Green Team.

Today, on Earth Day, she and other young leaders at her school are hosting a student-led day of Earth-focused activities that remind us to reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink our actions. These students join people around the world in urging us to make a difference. The 2019 Earth Day theme is Save Our Species!

Farhiya created a PowerPoint presentation for her Earth Day school assignment, and she agreed to share it with us.

By Shawn Sheller

News, People

AME mourns the passing of Lynn Ziegler

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Lynn Ziegler

Lynn Ziegler, one of Action for Media Education’s founding members, died April 14. Lynn had served as AME’s media critic since the early ’90s. Her long career included writing weekly columns on children’s TV and family films for Northwest newspapers. She was a guest on national and regional radio and TV to promote quality programming for children, and was a television news writer and producer for KOMO-TV.

After leaving KOMO, Lynn created a public service announcement promoting healthy nutritional choices for children. Her MTV-style “Nutri-Rap” featured somersaulting fruits and vegetables and “a rainbow of Northwest children giving a thumbs up for good nutrition.” This spot won several awards: a Telly, two PIXI Awards, and two regional EMMYs. 

One of her proudest accomplishments, Spongeheadz: U & Me, is a book Lynn described as “the essential parent handbook for the 21stCentury.” Written when TV was dominant, it still contains valuable tips for parents. In her book, and throughout her life, Lynn celebrated diversity; “That’s why you’ll find drawings by children of every color and nationality inside these pages.” Lynn knew that children need to see “faces that look like his or her own” in books and other media.

She greatly valued her strong connection with Native American communities on the Kitsap Peninsula, and worked as an educator and mentor to many Native American youth.

Her experience as an educator led to her involvement with some of the statewide teen health projects sponsored by the Washington State Department of Health and the Northwest Center for Excellence in Media Literacy, University of Washington. These projects trained high school students to teach younger youth about teen health issues such as pregnancy prevention. Lynn was strongly committed to promoting youth empowerment, and these projects included a subject she was passionate about—media literacy education.

Lynn launched one of AME’s first media literacy projects in the early ’90s. The PIXI awards honored high quality children’s television programming. Teams of professionals and parents across the state established the criteria that judges used to choose PIXI award recipients. The PIXI awards project, under Lynn’s leadership, was one of AME’s major activities throughout the organization’s early years.

Lynn was also a member Action Coalition for Media Education (ACME), the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, Free Press, and the National Academy of Television Arts and Science (NATAS). 

We in AME are deeply saddened by Lynn’s passing. She is survived by her children Chris, Jesse, and Alik. Lynn’s staunch advocacy for all children will remain an inspiration. She will be greatly missed for her wonderful sense of humor, her generosity, and her warm and loving heart, expressed in so many ways to all whose lives she touched.

by Marilyn Cohen and Sue D. Cook

Education, News, Politics, Take Action

Local librarians, key partners in media literacy instruction, need your help

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URGENT: Educators are fighting to protect their library programs, and none more so than those in Seattle Public Schools. While WA State recently increased its education budget, it also restricted the levy funds local districts can raise. This means that Seattle cannot fully collect the funds it has already approved! The result is a $39M budget deficit in Seattle Schools, with over $12M of the deficit directed at school budgets. Librarians, nurses, and counselors bear the brunt of the cuts. 

How can you help? Spread the word among friends, family, colleagues.

5 MINUTES: Write or call WA State legislator Reuven Carlyle or other members of the Ways and Means Committee to support SB 5313, allowing for levy flexibility.

Contact the legislature TODAY!

Leave your comments on SB 5313

Contact SPS school board members, advocating for no cuts to library budgets.

10 MINUTES: Learn more. Read Keith Curry Lance and Debra Kachel’s article detailing research that correlates high quality school library programs and student achievement.

Why school librarians matter: What years of research tell us

5 HOURS: Head to Olympia on April 2 to join SPS librarians to rally and lobby for levy flexibility. #SPSLibrarians

By Kathryn Egawa, Action for Media Education Board Member


Net Neutrality, News, Politics, Technology

Net Neutrality: Back in the news

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Net Neutrality’s Title I vs. Title II
Digital Divide Remains

Despite bipartisan talk, consensus on legislative solution continues to elude legislators

The new Democratic-led House Communications Subcommittee weighed back into the still legally muddy net neutrality waters Thursday (Feb. 7), led by chairman Mike Doyle, who led the unsuccessful House effort to follow the Senate and nullify the net neutrality reg rollback under current Republican chairman Ajit Pai.

The main takeaway from the hearing was that both sides of the aisle sounded like they were looking for a way to “yes” on bipartisan legislation to restore FCC rules against blocking, throttling and (anti-competitive) paid prioritization as a way to provide certainty for consumers and broadband investment, but that the Title II vs. Title I digital divide appeared to be as wide as ever, threatening that bipartisan spirit.

Republicans talked up at least three legislative proposals that would restore the rules, but not under Title II, including legislative proffers from Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio), ranking member of the subcommittee, and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-Wash.), that would restore rules under a non-Title II framework.

Net neutrality activists monitoring the hearing quickly fired off e-mails shooting them down as fake bills backed by “telecom shillls.”

Read more at Broadcasting & Cable
By John Eggerton

Bill Update, News, Take Action

Your Comments Needed: 
New Media Literacy Bill for WA Schools

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Exciting news! WA State Senate Bill 5594 provides funding for media literacy curriculum and professional development for teachers.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE NEEDED NOW. Please share this link with as many people as possible across the state. It’s easy! Just type in your zip code and with a few words you can let our lawmakers know your position.

This bill, sponsored and introduced by Senator Marko Liias, creates a grant process for developing new curriculum units that embed media literacy into content area lessons. The new curriculum units will be available for classrooms across the state. The bill also provides for two Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship professional development conferences for educators. 

The proposed bill is a follow up to ESSB 5449 from 2017, which supported media literacy and digital citizenship. That bill called for reviewing and revising of district policies and procedures to better support digital citizenship, media literacy and internet safety, and the creation of a repository of best practices and resources. It also mandated an Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) survey that examined how digital citizenship and media literacy were being integrated into Washington’s schools’ curriculum.

Action for Media Literacy (AME) board members Marilyn Cohen, Michael Danielson, and Barbara Johnson met with Senator Liias to propose this new bill, SB 5594. He responded immediately with interest and took action. Thank you to Senator Marko Liias and the bill’s co-sponsors: Senators Judy Warnick, Claire Wilson, Lisa Wellman, Patty Kuderer, Joe Nguyen, Rebecca Saldaña, and Hans Zeiger.

Spread the word, and comment today to support media literacy education!

Education, News, Politics

It’s Time for the Press to Evolve

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The current political climate we find ourselves in could hardly be more divisive and confounding. One of the challenges for students and teachers in media literacy education is to evaluate this question: Has the media responded appropriately to the challenges of the Trump era? What do you think?

George Lakoff, a cognitive linguist and philosopher, is a leading expert on the framing of political ideas. In this article he offers concrete tools for the press to “evolve” in response to tactics that are being widely used.

His article from O Society:

Attacks on the free press, and constant lying by political leaders, aren’t just happening here in the United States. These tactics are also being used by authoritarian leaders in other countries who are taking power using the same tactics as Trump.

These leaders understand how the press works, and they use its own tendencies against it in their efforts to erode democracy and freedom. They lie, knowing the press will repeat the lies. They create distractions because they know the press will chase the distractions. They release bad news when they think no one is paying attention. Too often, these tactics succeed.

It’s time for the press to evolve. The press needs new rules, practices and guidelines to respond to the threat posed by lying authoritarians with no respect for truth, freedom, or democracy. These types of leaders attack the press because they see the truth as a threat. And it’s the job of the press to report the truth.

Here are some suggestions members of the press can follow to ProtectTheTruth:

 — Ban the lie from the headline/tweet/chyron. Repeating lies only spreads them, and spreading lies is a disservice to the truth. It’s possible to write engaging headlines without serving the lie. Always start with the truth, and always repeat the truth more than the lie.

 — Use Truth Sandwiches. When writing about lies, always start with the truth first. Then explain the lie. Then return to the truth. Sequence and repetition matter! Truth first! Always.

 — Separate News from Distractions. George Orwell said it best: “Journalism is printing what someone else doesn’t want printed. Everything else is public relations.” Trump’s tweets have become a constant obsession for reporters. But his Twitter dramas generally just distract from the important news stories crucial to democracy. He issues crazy tweets, calls people names, and includes silly typos because he WANTS people to talk about his tweet. And those who give him what he wants need to remember Orwell’s quote. What was the big story in the news before the Twitter drama started? Keep a steely focus on things that matter.

 — Limit Trump photos. Images are crucial. Today, it seems like nearly every news story features a large photo of Trump. It’s all Trump, all the time. It’s a Trump overload. Editors need to be aware of the overall effect and make an effort to use a range of images to tell the story of our times. Politics is not just about the actors. It’s about the millions of people who are affected by those actions.

 — Outsmart the “Friday Dump.” Politicians and corporations tend to release bad or unflattering news late Fridays, and especially on three-day weekends. This is because people pay less attention to the news at this time. So, the use of the “Friday Dump” is a tactic for hiding the truth from people. Imagine if anyone who tried this was instead greeted with a big Sunday or Monday story that also told people they were trying to hide the truth by dumping it on Friday.

by George Lakoff Dec 19, 2018

Read more here

Podcast:  FrameLab: How To Protect the Truth

 

 

 

 

 

Education, News, Social Media

Interview with Marilyn Cohen, 2018 Jessie McCanse Award recipient

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A highlight of Media Literacy Week here at AME is the presentation of the Jessie McCanse Award, deemed the “Nobel Prize” of media literacy, to Marilyn Cohen, Saturday, Nov. 10. The National Telemedia Council (NTC) is recognizing Marilyn’s longtime contributions to media literacy, high principles and dedication. Four recipients this year include Henry Jenkins of Los Angeles, CA, Bill Siemering of Philadelphia, PA, and Carolyn Wilson of Ontario, Canada.

Marilyn was recently interviewed by the Consortium for Media Literacy newsletter, Connections. Here is part of that interview:

Screen Shot 2018-11-08 at 3.47.09 PM.pngFor the whole interview: Global Connections Newsletter