Tip #2: Play Spot The Ad
When you see advertising on TV or on a billboard, ask your children to figure out what the ad is selling. Sometimes it's obvious, and sometimes it's not. Help them explore why certain pictures, sounds, or words are used to sell certain products.
Well-crafted headlines benefit everyone. They help readers digest information and publishers sell news stories. But what if the headline is misleading? What if it's crafted just to get clicks and not to inform? "Clickbait" headlines may benefit advertisers and publishers (think $$$), but they don't benefit readers. And when they go viral, they can badly misinform the public. This week, look for clickbait headlines in the media that you consume and discuss them with your family. How many can you find before Sunday rolls around!?
bit.ly/OlyNMV2
All media comes with an author and an agenda. Help kids think critically about any media they view with critical questions that dig below the surface. And to really empower kids, have them create their own media with these same questions in mind.
Spartan Staff recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education!
Spartan Staff recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education!
So proud of our Spartan Staff members that have been recognized by ISBE.
Tip #1: Encourage Healthy Skepticism. Help your children analyze the info around them, from toy packaging to Instagram posts to news headlines, and question the purpose of the words and images they see. Teach kids how to use fact-checking tools like Snopes and FactCheck.org.
With so much media and information coming at us through the television, phones, social media, and more, it's more important than ever for kids to understand the basics of media literacy. When kids can identify different types of news and media and the methods and meanings behind them, they're on their way to being critical thinkers and smart consumers.
Throughout the month, we will be sharing a set of five tips to help your children become critical thinkers of news and media. Here is a short video to get those conversations started!
bit.ly/OlyNMV5
The PM Pre-K students became architects and construction workers today too!
Our construction site is open! The students were builders and architects today!
We are hosting a family movie night on February 16 as part of our Kindness Week, we will be showing the movie Charlotte’s Web. Sign up to purchase a gondola meal use this link Kindness Week Family Movie Night .
https://forms.gle/faAbaiEX8qAF7M7M7
Kindergarten had a great time celebrating the 100th Day of School! We dressed like we were 100 years old, brought in 100 items from home to share, made a 100 count snack, and wrote about what we would wish for if we had $100!
The Olympia National Honor Society is hosting a Princess Tea Party on February 12th from 1-3 PM at Olympia High School. Proceeds from the event will benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. RSVP to amanda.hapgood@olympia.org by February 6th to reserve your seat!
Second Graders have been working hard to reach out to a community member and plan a service project as community helpers. Today they got to package food for the Emergency Food Pantries in surrounding towns within the Olympia District. We love being community helpers!
The Pre-K class started a construction unit this week! We opened our construction experience table today.
Third graders at Oly West are hard at work during Math Workshop. Check out these mathematicians working on their fact family neighborhoods!
Elementary Families, Spartan Swim returns this Friday, Jan. 20th 6-8 PM. Please use the southeast doors at the high school. Please contact michelle.maris@olympia.org with questions.
The 5th grade had their DARE graduation this afternoon at Olympia West. Thank you to all who came out and supported our 5th grade students. A special thanks to Officer Weseloh for his work, passion and dedication in providing students with DARE education.
5th grade band started this week for 35 Olympia elementary students. The kids are thrilled and so is Mr. Spencer! An exciting addition to our music program!
Fun night at the Spartan Swim!! Thanks to everyone that came out!
