Can I start with a quick apology?
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| I ghosted you last week, I’m sorry! We were immersed in watching nearly 500 PM for a Day entries, and what a privilege that was. An overwhelming response to what we hope will become an annual thing. Thank you to the teachers who made that happen — truly above and beyond. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, March 31, in Canberra.
This week, we’re bringing you insights from the ABC Media Literacy Summit, a powerful Shortcut on propaganda, some inclusive drama ideas for World Theatre Day, and a fun, fishy finish your class can enjoy together. |
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| The ABC Media Literacy Summit |
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A dispatch from the Media Literacy Frontline
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A behind-the-scenes peek at the ABC’s Media Literacy Summit — a front-row look at why media literacy is having its main-character moment.
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| Hello Christie’s newsletter devotees – |
| It’s Bryce here. |
| First up: can we all please take a moment to acknowledge what an awesome job she is doing with these newsletters? I hope you love them as much as I do. |
| Secondly: Christie has asked me to write a little report on a very important meeting I took part in last week at the ABC headquarters in Sydney. |
| I was invited to speak at the Media Literacy Summit, put on by the excellent folk at ABC Education and the Australian Media Literacy Alliance. |
| The Governor-General Sam Mostyn opened proceedings with an impassioned speech about the importance of critical thinking, followed by ABC Chair Kim Williams who said there had never been. a more important time for Australians to hone their media literacy skills. |
| Which served as a perfect introduction to the panel discussion I took part in on how media literacy is being taught in Aussie schools. |
| The upshot? It’s mostly being taught through a combination of ACARA’s new guidelines on mandatory media literacy education – and via Newshounds, the super excellent plug + play classroom resource, produced by yours truly here at Squiz Kids, which teaches kids to Stop. Think and Check before believing everything they see online. |
| Because, as you know only too well, they are online A LOT … |
| To date, more than 5,000 teachers around Australia have signed up to do Newshounds with their students – and we have big plans to regularly update the content, modernise the delivery system and create more modules specifically tackling AI. |
| So get involved already … and watch this space … |
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A Shortcut to… Propaganda… “Proper… What Now?”
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| In a world where students are constantly bombarded with messages, knowing how to spot propaganda is no longer optional. This Tuesday’s Squiz Kids Shortcut breaks down how it works — from historical campaigns to modern-day algorithms — and gives students practical tools to pause, question and think critically. A powerful addition to any classroom conversation about media literacy. |
| Keen to take it further? We’ve put together a set of classroom discussion questions — moving from simple recall to deeper critical thinking — to help students unpack what they hear. |
Discussion Questions
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- Can you name two examples of propaganda mentioned in the podcast?
- How is propaganda different from normal information or advertising?
- Think of something you’ve seen online recently that sparked big emotions in you (a video, ad, meme). Could it be propaganda? Why or why not?
- Which is more powerful — facts or feelings? Explain your thinking.
- Do you think propaganda is always harmful, or can it sometimes be used for good? Why?
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World Theatre Day – For the Spotlight Lovers… and the Stage-Shy
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| World Theatre Day is this Friday — and whether your students are born performers or more “please don’t pick me,” there’s something for everyone. |
| We’re sharing a treasure trove of ideas from Drama Trunk — packed with theatre and improv games for all ages — including quick, low-pressure activities that help even the most reluctant performers step in and give it a go. |
| Depending on your class, you might also hook them with this classic clip of Aaron Chen on Thank God You’re Here — but definitely give it a quick watch first to make sure it’s right for your students. |
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| Aaron Chen Teaches Fire Safety TO CHILDREN! | Thank God You’re Here |
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Know a teacher who’d love this? Pass it on.
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| We love hearing from you! Reply to this email with any feedback, suggestions, or funny teaching stories, or hit us up at [email protected]. |
Now get out there, and have a most excellent day!
Over and out. |
| – Christie Kijurina, Squiz Kids Educator |
