>>>>>>SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT <<<<<<< UPCOMING EVENT

| VOICES OF HOPE PRODUCTIONS | YOUTH MEDIA LITERACY FIELD TRIP

Analyze This!: Socio-Political Messages in the Media
Do your students possess the tools to critically analyze the media that our society is perpetually barraged with?

Friday, October 14, 2025 | 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Clearview, Red Bank Art Cinema
36 White Street, Red Bank, NJ

In collaboration with The Freedom Film Society's Red Bank International Film Festival, Emerging Filmmaker series, Voices of Hope Productions will be hosting a two-hour Media Education workshop for students throughout New Jersey. Bring your classes to discuss the socio-political issues that face today’s youth. We will critically analyze socially-relevant short films, some youth created, and some critically acclaimed. We will deconstruct television commercials, radio podcasts, and discuss journalism and the internet. Voices of Hope Productions will lead a discussion, engage students about their opinions on the social issues posed and issues they see in their own communities, encouraging dailogue among all participants.

The 2 hour workshop will address the following Core Curriculum Standards:

• Social Studies 6.2 Civics: Civic Life, Politics, and Government • American Values and Principles • The Constitution and American Democracy • Citizenship • International Education: Global Challenges, Cultures, and Connections

• Language Arts Literacy 3.1 Reading: • Concepts About Print • Decoding and Word Recognition • Fluency • E. Reading Strategies (before, during, and after reading) • Vocabulary and Concept Development • Comprehension Skills and Response to Text • Inquiry and Research

• Language Arts Literacy 3.3 Speaking: Discussion • Questioning (Inquiry) and Contributing • Word Choice • Oral Presentation

• Language Arts Literacy 3.4 Listening: Active Listening • Listening Comprehension

• Language Arts Literacy 3.5 Viewing and Media Literacy: Constructing Meaning • Visual and Verbal Messages • Living with Media

The New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Social Studies states: "Citizen participation in government is essential in forming this nation’s democracy, and is vital in sustaining it. Social studies education promotes loyalty and love of country and it prepares students to participate intelligently in public affairs. Its component disciplines foster in students the knowledge and skills needed to make sense of current political and social issues."

Voices of Hope Productions works with educators, students, parents and caregivers to help students discuss history, government and politics and learn to contribute to national, state and local decision-making. Students will also develop an active awareness and commitment to the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, a tolerance for those with whom they disagree, and an understanding of the greater world.

The Supreme Court of New Jersey underscored the role of the social studies in fulfilling the state’s obligation to offer all children a “thorough and efficient education” with these words: "Thorough and efficient (education) means being able to fulfill
one’s role as a citizen, a role that encompasses far more than merely registering to vote. It means the ability to participate fully in society, in the life of one’s community, the ability to appreciate music, art, and literature, and the ability to share all that
with friends." --Abbott v. Burke 119 NJ 287, pp. 363-364 (1990)

For any information or comments please contact enews@voicesofhope.tv To unsubscribe, reply to this e-mail with "unsubscribe" in the subject heading. To subscribe, send an email to enews@voicesofhope.tv with "subscribe" in the subject heading.