Kids and Media is a new charitable organisation which gives information and advice about children’s use of digital media. Their aim is to ‘help parents to guide and guard their children in a digital world, different from the media world they themselves experienced as children’.

Although the site is still very new, there are lots of useful articles and resources online already. I particularly liked the game and film review sections, which give detailed descriptions and information about appropriate age ranges.

This is definitely something to share with parents and colleagues at school. You can also follow the site on Twitter, Facebook and via their blog.

Last week was my half term break which gave me lots of time to create another Teaching Theme. The latest one is called ‘Lights, Camera, Action!‘ and it provides ideas and resources for using film and TV in the classroom.

Huge thanks must go to my wife who draws the cartoon pictures for lots of the resources. Thanks also to those people who have contributed their own ideas and resources. If you have any relevant content that could be added to the site, or if you have any suggestions for future themes, please get in touch. Thanks!

Media Smart is a non profit media literacy programme for school children aged 6 to 11 years old, focused on advertising.

They develop and provide educational materials to primary schools that teach children to think critically about advertising in the context of their daily lives. The materials use real examples of advertising to teach core media literacy skills.

A brand new online teaching pack for primary schools about online and digital advertising has recently been launched, where you can find teaching materials, activity sheets and digital adverts for use in your lessons. Take a look!

Digital Adwise offers teachers a tool to engage KS1 and KS2 students, and teach them about marketing communications. The interactive online lessons can be used by individuals or small groups on classroom computers. The lessons are tailored to teaching needs and are highly flexible for teachers to modify as they see fit. They aim to help children to identify and understand the commercial purpose behind online marketing techniques such as viral marketing, the use of social marketing sites and online games.

The lessons are now available for all schools to access online and free of charge at www.digitaladwise.mediasmart.org.uk