This blog post is intended for my students and their parents/guardians.

It's Back To School time again! I'd like to extend a warm welcome to all my new students, parents/guardians and readers.

 I hope you all had a wonderful summer. My summer has been exciting and busy and crazy in the best possible way. 

Here's a sneak peek:

This year's AML 21st Century Literacies Conference: Forging the Media Literate Classroom will be a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues and share ideas. I have been lucky enough to get a sneak peek at some of the presenters and I am really excited to hear some of the talks. I hope you'll consider joining us this year at York University, Winter's College. 

If you're not a York University student, you can register using the "AML Member" registration and you will be added to the AML membership. This is a free event thanks to York University's Faculty of Education and The Association for Media Literacy. Lunch will be provided!

To register now, click here.

On Thursday February 14, 2013 there will be a public panel discussion at OISE with some of the world leaders in the field of Media Education. Sponsored by OISE's Centre for Media and Culture in Education, the Media Education Working Group and The Association for Media Literacy, the night promises to be thought-provoking and informative. Admission is free and refreshments will be provided!

Please see the flier for more details:

If you're new to my website or my blog, welcome. I use this space to talk about teaching and learning, and to reflect on my professional practice. Tonight, #K12Media (an educational chat on Twitter that I co-moderate) will be all about "Back to School". We hope to share ideas, lessons and resources to start the year. 

One key concept for my grade 11 classes is Representation. We spend a good deal of time in the course talking about how people, places and things are represented in media (which includes literature). My idea for this year: why not pick your favourite "Back to School" commercial and put it in the media triangle? This simple activity can fit into a shortened period and allows students to see how we're going to analyse a variety of media works. Teachers can have students vote on which commercial to use, then use YouTube or the company's website to find the commercial. Alternatively, you can browse around and select a sample.