From Viewers to Creators: Empowering Students to Be Digital Storytellers Through Year-Long Student News

Tired of one-way newsletters that families barely read? Imagine transforming classroom communication into a dynamic, student-owned multimedia experience that builds critical literacy skills while fostering genuine home-school connections.In this session, discover how a media coordinator and third-grade teacher partnered to revolutionize family engagement by placing students at the heart of school communication. Through a year-long, developmentally scaffolded project, eight and nine-year-old students progress from hesitant beginners to confident multimedia journalists—learning video production, developing media literacy, and strengthening core communication skills along the way.This isn't your typical "students make videos" project. Attendees will explore how intentional integration of ISTE Standards for Students and Common Sense Media lessons transforms video creation into a powerful vehicle for authentic learning. Students don't just report classroom happenings—they conduct interviews, share informed opinions, showcase peer achievements, and deliver content that families actually want to watch.