MediaSmarts Launches New Resources for Classrooms and Homes in Recognition of Media Literacy Week

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 4, 2013) - MediaSmarts, Canada's centre for digital and media literacy, recognized the start of Canada's 8^th annual Media Literacy Week with the release of a series of new resources and activities for parents, teachers, children and youth.

The week, which runs from November 4 to 8, is hosted by MediaSmarts and the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF). Activities are taking place across Canada to recognize the importance of media and digital literacy skills for young people.

In honour of the week's theme - marketing, consumerism and youth - MediaSmarts has launched the following resources:

- Co-Co's AdverSmarts Teachers' Guide: An extensive classroom companion to the popular Co-Co game, which teaches young children about online food marketing.

- Les publi-astuces de Co-Co: A French version of the game and teachers' guide.

- A lesson series on tobacco marketing and alcohol advertising targeting youth.

In addition, a new "Media Minutes" program has been released for Grades 4 to 8, which includes six engaging media literacy videos and accompanying lesson plans. The program was produced in partnership with Concerned Children's Advertisers.

MediaSmarts is also joining with several collaborating organizations on a series of cyber events. They include:

- November 4 at 8:00 p.m. (EST): Tweet Chat on "What's Being Sold: Helping Kids Make Sense of Marketing Messages". Using the hashtag #K12Media, educators will share media literacy resources and tips around marketing.

- November 6 at 6:00 p.m. (EST): A bi-national Google Hangout with marketing industry professionals in the U.S. in partnership with the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE).

- November 7 at 7:00 p.m. (EST): Webinar on teaching media literacy in the classroom. The webinar, hosted in in partnership with Concerned Children Advertisers, will provide teachers with ideas for integrating media literacy into their classrooms. Pre-registration is required.

To learn about other activities taking place during Media Literacy Week, visit the Events Calendar.

The week has the support of over 80 organizations, including Gold Sponsors Bell, YouTube, Yukon Education and the Yukon Teachers' Association and Silver Sponsor TELUS. For a full list of this year's sponsors, visit: www.medialiteracyweek.ca/en/about_supporters.htm, and to view the collaborating organizations, see: www.medialiteracyweek.ca/en/about_partners.htm.

MediaSmarts is a Canadian not-for-profit centre for digital and media literacy. Its vision is that young people have the critical thinking skills to engage with media as active and informed digital citizens. www.mediasmarts.ca @mediasmarts