Media Literacy is Elementary: Teaching Youth to Critically Read and Create Media

by Jeff Share

This book provides a practical and theoretical look at how media education can make learning and teaching more meaningful and transformative. It explores the theoretical underpinnings of critical media literacy and analyzes a case study involving an elementary school that received a federal grant to integrate media literacy and the arts into the curriculum. The ideas and experiences of working teachers are analyzed through a critical media literacy framework that provides realistic challenges and hopeful examples and suggestions. The book is a valuable addition to any education course or teacher preparation program that wants to promote twenty-first century literacy skills, social justice, civic participation, media education, or critical technology use. Communications classes will find it useful as it explores and applies key concepts of cultural studies and media education.

Genres: Nonfiction, Teaching, Education

167 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2008

Reviews

[Dehanza (Daye) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff Share's text "Media Literacy is Elementary" takes a buzz word and breaks down its importance in the elementary classroom. I recently met a 3rd grade teacher who relayed her frustration with the lack of media literacy resources at the elementary school level in America. She was surprised that of the few materials she found, they were all from Canadian schools and educators. As Share states plainly in his text, even though the US is a major media creator, the media literacy movement is rather small in this country. I instantly suggested Share's text, as not only a resource, but as the resource, for her future curriculum planning.

The most compelling aspect of "Media Literacy Is Elementary" is the chapter aptly named, "Voices from the Trenches." It is rare to have the opportunity to get an in depth analysis of theory in practice. The text helps to prove, from interviews with educators, that media literacy "aims to proactively empower students to analyze and create media as a way of developing cognitive critical thinking skills" (61). The frankness of these interviews show that part of the challenge lies in preparing teachers to instruct students in media literacy, especially at the elementary level, as well as the importance of continuing support, be it financial or collaborative.

Share continues by exploring the importance of participatory media by elementary school children. To have a voice is part of media literacy and to teach children very early how to articulate the findings of their surroundings, their own feelings and the world at large is essential in creating a critical thinker. Share asserts that instead of passive and voiceless, our curricula should see students, especially at the elementary level, as active participants in creation and meaning.

This text is not only for educators. It's imperative that those outside the classroom understand the importance of helping young children articulate their experiences. Part of media literacy is learning the grammar of media, in order to critically assess it. The earlier a child is able to understand how to create media, the sooner she may be able to separate the method from the message. Anyone who deals with young children should take time to read this text in order to understand the process needed to help teach "youth to critically read and create media," as Share states.

[Annetta Jackson]

great

[Vivian Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic! I'm so excited he's at UCLA I could spit.