The Fair Media Council’s Media Savvy Teacher Award recognizes 4th, 5th and 6th grade teachers who are using news in their classrooms. Sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union.
Teachers anywhere in the United States may enter. Entries must explain the idea or concept behind the program, how the concept was implemented and how results were measured.
Entries are due by June 29 , 2012 and will be judged by community leaders.
Media literacy promotes the use of deductive reasoning and critical thinking skills. Because these skills are formed between the ages of 12 to 15, it is important to introduce children to media literacy as early as possible. Further, with the majority of mainstream newspapers (whether print or online) written on fourth- and fifth-grade reading levels, teachers have ready access to a variety of tools to enhance classroom learning activities.
Winners of FMC’s Media Savvy Teacher Awards:
2011
Suzanne Story, Fifth Grade Teacher, Longwood Middle School, Middle Island, N.Y.: Students were taught how to podcast, using news stories they had created, based on current events.
2010
Evan Curran, Fourth Grade Teacher, Laddie Decker School, Sound Beach, N.Y.: Students were taught how to blog and corresponded with soldiers in Afganistan to enhance the learning experience. The project incorporated the advancement of technology and English skills, as well as current events, history and geography.