Stop the Plastic Easter Egg Insanity With This Literacy-Based Idea

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I pulled out my plastic tub of Easter decorations over the weekend, and I've been staring at a plastic shopping bag overflowing with ... you guessed it ... plastic Easter eggs. I swear those things have quadrupled in number since this time last year. How does that happen?

But FamilyFun magazine came to my rescue (again!). In the Create section of the March 2013 issue, a fellow reader shared her idea for turning those pesky plastic eggs into a reading game! On one half of each egg, write various common word endings (think: -at, -it, -ed, -op). On the other half of each egg, write different consonants and/or consonant blends. Have your children or students connect the different halves to create new words. I could see this working as a centers activity, or if you have enough eggs (and who doesn't?) a team-based relay race. The game could be modified for any grade level or reading level.

Speaking of reading, are you following my Project 2013 progress? If you are looking for some YA reading recs, be sure to check out my Project 2013 page!

Teens Aren't as Digitally Literate As We Thought

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Despite their ninja-like nimbleness with texting, downloading music and posting on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, it turns out that teens aren't all that when it comes to digital literacy.

According to several studies, most young adults don't possess the ability to evaluate the level of quality or the credibility of online information. To draw attention to the lack of digital literacy skills among teens, libraries across the country will celebrate Teen Tech Week (March 10-16) through the theme Check in @ your library. According to the American Library Association, during this week "teens will work with librarians to create their own unique Web and technological content as well as to learn how to become competent and ethical users of technology." The goal is to not only help students strengthen their digital literacy skills, but to help them understand the importance of developing these skills so they can be successful in the 21st century work environment.

Check out the full article here.

What about you? How do you help your students or children enhance their digital literacy skills?

Thanks for reading! It keeps your ... Mind Full of Literacy!