{"id":94890,"date":"2025-03-21T16:16:42","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T20:16:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/danielschristian.com\/learning-ecosystems\/?p=94890"},"modified":"2025-03-21T16:23:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T20:23:00","slug":"developing-media-literacy-cultivating-speaking-listening-skills-plus-several-other-items-from-edutopia-org","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/danielschristian.com\/learning-ecosystems\/2025\/03\/21\/developing-media-literacy-cultivating-speaking-listening-skills-plus-several-other-items-from-edutopia-org\/","title":{"rendered":"Developing media literacy, cultivating speaking & listening skills, plus several other items from edutopia.org"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cultivating Speaking and Listening Skills in the Primary Grades<\/strong><\/a> — from edutopia.org by Rachel Scheer
\nEarly elementary teachers can use these strategies to help students improve their oral communication skills.<\/em><\/p>\n

The good news? There are\u00a0many engaging and effective strategies\u00a0to develop these interpersonal skills, and most are easy to incorporate into daily classroom routines. I use the strategies below to directly teach, model, and practice these essential communication skills at a developmentally appropriate level: turn-taking, small group speaking and listening, whole group speaking and listening, and accountable talk.<\/p>\n

From DSC:<\/span><\/em>
\nI love the parts about practicing how to LISTEN<\/em>. We need more of that in our communications with one another…as well as when we are praying to God.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Teaching Students About Corporate Influences in a Curriculum<\/strong><\/a> — from edutopia.org by\u00a0Elaine Alvey
\nBy uncovering any hidden interests in a curriculum, teachers can open important discussions about media literacy with students.<\/em><\/p>\n

These instances underscore the need for educators to be vigilant in vetting materials, recognizing that even seemingly reputable sources can harbor hidden agendas, necessitating a robust approach to media and information literacy both for ourselves and for students.<\/p>\n

How to Spot Corporate Influences in Your Curriculum<\/strong>
\nSo, how do we, as educators, navigate this minefield?\u00a0Media literacy\u00a0strategies offer important tools to equip ourselves and our students to analyze information landscapes intentionally, including the curricular resources we evaluate for use in our classrooms.
\n.<\/span><\/p>\n

From DSC:<\/span><\/em>
\nI would encourage you to take a look at the work my sister Sue Ellen Christian has been doing re: media literacy, news literacy, and more. She created the <\/span>Wonder Media website<\/a> to discuss those topics. Plus she collaborated with several other people and organizations to develop a large, professionally-done exhibit re: these important topics.
\n<\/span><\/strong>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Boosting Engagement in World Language Classes With Games<\/strong><\/a> — from edutopia.org by Rachelle Den\u00e9 Poth
\nMiddle school teachers can use a variety of tech and no-tech games to help students build skills in the target language.<\/em><\/p>\n

As a world language educator, I\u2019ve always sought innovative ways to engage my students through meaningful learning experiences as they build their language skills. One way we do this is through gameplay. The benefits of games go far beyond simply learning and increased retention of vocabulary or grammar. Games can also foster collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, making learning fun for students.<\/p>\n

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How Administrators Can Respond\u2014Instead of React\u2014in Tough Situations<\/strong><\/a> — from edutopia.org by Jessica Cabeen
\nThese strategies can help school leaders stay self-regulated in the middle of frustrating and stressful moments.<\/em><\/p>\n

Conversations That Might Be Better Left for Later
\n<\/strong>Not every conversation needs to happen in the heat of the moment. Some of the most productive conversations happen after we\u2019ve given ourselves time to regulate. Here are a few categories of conversations that might benefit from a pause:<\/p>\n