Category: News

By Shawn Sheller

This Month’s Featured Book: Tuck Me In! by Nathan Pyle

ISBN: 978-0-593-48382-8

Why This Book Will Have You Pondering the Moon

Once you’ve read Tuck Me In! with a child, something shifts. Suddenly that Moon hanging in the evening sky isn’t just pretty—it’s doing something. It’s pulling on oceans, creating rhythms, tucking in beaches halfway around the world. Nathan Pyle’s genius is in making gravitational physics feel as natural and comforting as a goodnight kiss. The book doesn’t lecture about tides or lunar cycles; instead, it shows the Moon as a caregiver, the ocean as a blanket, and the beaches as sleepy children resisting bedtime in ways every parent and educator recognizes. After reading, you’ll find yourself pointing out the Moon during the day, wondering aloud about high tide at dinner, and seeing the whole planet as part of one big, beautiful bedtime routine.

The Magic of Reading Together

There’s something profoundly beautiful about what happens when we settle in with a child and a picture book. In those quiet moments, learning doesn’t feel like work—it unfolds naturally through shared wonder and curiosity. Picture books like Tuck Me In! create a space where science becomes story, where questions bubble up organically, and where a child’s “Why?” is met with your genuine “Let’s think about that together.” You don’t need lesson plans or learning objectives. You just need to be present, to notice what catches their attention, to follow their curiosity wherever it leads. Maybe they’ll fixate on why one beach wants to stay up late. Maybe they’ll ask if the Moon gets tired. Maybe they’ll simply want to read it again and again, absorbing the rhythm and the comfort of the routine. That’s the power of picture books—they meet children exactly where they are, wrapping big ideas in warmth and wonder, making learning feel like love.

Beyond the Story

The beauty of Tuck Me In! is that it naturally invites observation and wonder. After reading, children often start noticing the Moon during the day, asking about tides at the beach, or wondering about patterns in nature. These organic curiosities are where the deepest learning happens—not because we’ve assigned an activity, but because the story has planted seeds of wonder that keep growing.

For families and educators who want to extend this natural curiosity with hands-on exploration, I’ve created an age-differentiated activity handout that accompanies this book. It includes three developmentally appropriate demonstrations—from a simple blanket pull for ages 4–6, to a water bowl model for ages 7–9, to real tide tracking for ages 10–11. Each activity includes guiding questions, materials lists, and safety notes. The handout is designed to meet children where they are developmentally while connecting back to the joy and comfort of the bedtime story. You can access it alongside this article, and it’s perfect for library programs, classroom science centers, or family exploration at home.

For Educators and Families

Whether you simply read and reread this book at bedtime, or you dive into the hands-on activities in the accompanying handout, the goal is the same: to nurture curiosity and help children see themselves as observers of the natural world. Consider keeping a simple Moon journal where you sketch what you see each night, or check NOAA’s tide charts together if you live near the coast. Connect the bedtime routine in the book to the routines and rhythms your family or classroom follows—helping children see that patterns bring comfort and predictability to our lives, just as they do in nature.

Until Next Time…

Isn’t it amazing how a simple bedtime story can open up entire worlds of wonder about our planet and the Moon above us? That patient Moon tucking in beaches isn’t just adorable—it’s a gateway to understanding gravity, observing patterns, and seeing the extraordinary in the tides we might walk past without a second thought. I hope Tuck Me In! becomes a treasured part of your bedtime routine, 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 notice the rhythms of the natural world and ask “why?” with confidence and wonder.

I’d love to hear about your experiences with this book! Did your young readers start watching for the Moon at bedtime? 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.

Happy reading and see you next month for another Picture Perfect Pondering!

Download Our Free Resources

• Discussion Guide
• Hands-On Science Activities

A special thank‑you to AME Board Members Shanna Brooks, Regional Literacy Coordinator at North Central ESD 171, and Molly Berger, teacher and regional and state level ELA specialist, for providing this list of upcoming ESD offerings.

By Molly Berger

Media literacy is defined as “the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of communication,” NAMLE. Access is generally considered to be the ability to find and obtain the source, but implied is also the ability to read or comprehend it. This is where Media Literacy and the English Language Arts literacy are so connected. We tend to think that if one can read the words then they understand them, or if one can open a site or view a film, they understand it. But literacy means so much more. Reading implies understanding or comprehension, and that requires a multitude of skills beyond simply recognizing words or viewing sites or media.

Because information (and entertainment) comes to us in so many modes or mediums, we all must build our literacy skills across those mediums. We must be able to comprehend not only printed words but spoken ones. We must be able to comprehend images both static and moving. We must be able to infer meaning from music and lighting and camera angle and all the techniques of the source.

For educators, this may seem a bit overwhelming in the already-packed curriculum, but when we look closer, it is all interrelated. As we look at the new Washington ELA Standards ELA.R 6:4, 5, 6, and 7 and expand our thinking to include all types of texts, teaching in one medium will reinforce the others. In addition, when students encounter a variety of texts, they also build their background knowledge, another key component of comprehension.

Click here to see a list of classes for this summer and books to build your understanding of how we comprehend texts of all types.

By Suzanne Ender

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Ahhhhhh the joys of summer are finally here. Sunshine, road trips, beach days, and unstructured free time to finally relax and enjoy life….. Similar to the fresh start and new beginnings of the school year, we parents and caregivers typically begin summer break with high hopes, expectations, and optimism…  Give or take a week or two and our feelings will commonly (inevitably?) shift …. and grow increasingly concerned about the amount of “freetime” our childredn spend in front of a device or screen.

At all ages, people benefit from monitoring the quality, quantity, and value of technology and media consumption. However, parents and caregivers have the added responsibility to guide their children in selecting, evaluating, and balancing the time spent in front of screens. Supporting a child’s “dietary intake” of digital media and screen time is now understood to be just as important as monitoring a child’s quality of sleep, nutritional intake, physical activities, and opportunities to learn, connect, and participate in the world.

Most parents and caregivers are likely to already know that they should support and structure their child’s consumption or “intake” of digital media, technology, and screen time. The deeper issue lies in the overwhelming task on exactly how to do this. How much monitoring is necessary? What content is helpful, harmful and to what extent? What settings should be considered to protect their child’s privacy and safety? How much access is appropriate? These are just a few of the questions parents and caregivers must consider to support and structure digital media consumption and safety. Many more questions may also be included on this list.

Fortunately, there are resources that can help parents and caregivers address these questions. One helpful resource is Common Sense Media. The mission of Common Sense Media is to “put kids’ safety and well-being first in the digital era. Together with families, educators, and policymakers, we’re leading the way to a safer, healthier childhood.” While Action for Media Education (AME) is not affiliated or connected with Common Sense Media, we believe that Common Sense Media is helpful resource to guide parents and caregivers. Many of the resources are freely accessible; other content requires a small membership fee of $3.99 a month/ $39.99 per year. 

Experts in child development and children’s media literacy offer reviews and recommendations on movies, television programs, books, gaming, and social media. Articles such as “The Parents Survival Guide to Summer and Screens” press releases and position statements are offered to help keep parents in the loop and  informed about digital media issues. Paying subscribers can access content on more specific topics like how to set limits on Roblox  Tik Tok, Apple, YouTube, or Discord. Higher level guidance on “AI Toys” or supporting “Boys Digital Lives” may be of interest to parents and caregivers. 

Overall, summer can be a glorious season that encourages relaxation, connection, creativity, and quality moments. Screen time and access to digital media does have an appropriate and supportive role in making memories and fostering communication among people of all ages. In order to support positive and developmentally appropriate engagement in digital media, Action for Media Education (AME) hopes that  Common Sense Media can be a valuable, reliable, and trustworthy resource this summer and throughout the year.

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

• Discussion Guide for Educators and Families
• Student Activity Sheet
• Family Extension Guide
• Family Guide

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.