New Book Series Teaches Visual Literacy Through Historical Photographs

I have just reviewed one of the books in a new series entitled CAPTURED HISTORY. Each title in this series provides the background, history and context of a photograph that went on to have a place in American history.
Since visual literacy is part of many state's art standards, this series will certainly be a valuable resource in support of those standards, as well as the existing ELA standards for non-print texts.

The title I have just reviewed is: "Migrant Mother: How A Photograph Defined the Great Depression." The publisher is CompassPointBooks (a Capstone imprint) The series homepage is: http://www.capstonepub.com/product/9780756543990

The other titles in this series are:

Birmingham 1963 How A Photograph Rallied Civil Rights Support
Man On The Moon How A Photograph Made Anything Possible
Raising the Flag: How A Photograph Gave A Nation Hope in Wartime

If I could author another book in this series it might be entitled:
The Oil Stained Pelican How A Photograph Raised Awareness of the Gulf Oil Spill.

Frank W. Baker

Media Literacy in Nieman Reports

A TV news story about Powerful Voices for Kids provided a potent lesson for the 9- to 11-year-olds enrolled in the media literacy program. They wondered: Why was the phrase “flash mobs” repeated so often? And why did the reporter give the wrong location? In the current issue of Nieman Reports, NCTE Media & Digital Literacies Collaborative member Renee Hobbs writes about Powerful Voices for Kids and suggests dos and don’ts for teaching children to be savvy media consumers.

Find this and related stories in this issue:http://nieman.harvard.edu/reports/issue/100068/Summer-2011.aspx

Arab Images on Film (TCMs July Series)

On Tuesday and Thursday nights starting at 8pm ET in July, Turner Classic Movies host Bob Osborne and Dr. Jack Shaheen (an authority on images of Arabs and Muslims in American pop culture) talk about that night's slate of movies. Here Shaheen talks about stereotypes. Each night (listed below) will also focus on a different topic. The TCM series homepage lists the films and includes other background.

July 5 Early Images
July 7 Arabs as Villans
July 12 Epics
July 14 Arabs as A Subject of Ridicule
July 19 Arab Maidens
July 21 Arabs as Sheiks
July 26 Even Handed Potrayals
July 28 Images from Outside Hollywood

Another reason for media literacy education

NPR's recent story on the power and influence of advertising on the brain indicates how important critical thinking and questioning are when hearing, seeing and experiencing ads.

Why Core Standards Must Embrace Media and Digital Literacies

A commentary published by Education Week, co-authored by Rick Beach and Frank Baker--members of the NCTE Media &  Digital Literacies Collaborative.

Top 10 Movies Based On Kids' Books

Films adapted from popular books have always found a place in the classroom.  This list, published online by TIME Magazine, takes a look at 10 of them.

English Classes Use Facebook, Social Media to Teach Writing

The growth of social media and online publishing tools has helped innovative teachers align curriculum and instruction with new technology. (details at educationnews.org)