Essays

This page represents previous columns, blogposts, articles that I have either authored or have quotes from me. See the list of books Frank has authored.

 

       2024

• Teaching The Election Doesnt Have to Be Controversial
  

  2022

• 12 Ways To Teach The Holocaust (April, NCTE blogpost)
• We Must Not Remain Silent (Charleston Post & Courier)
• YA Novel  Tells Family’s Holocaust Story (October, Middleweb)
  
• Every Student Needs To Know How To Fact Check (May, Middleweb)
• We Survived The Holocaust (book excerpts, April-May, The State)
  
• 12 Ways To Help Students Learn About the Holocaust (April, Middleweb)
• Help Students Become Adept Media Evaluators republish (March, NCTE Blog)
  
• Student Created PSAs Ignite Critical Thinking (February, Middleweb)
• What Do We Want Students To Know About The Media, republish (NCTE blog)
• Media Literacy Words to Intrigue Your Students (January, Middleweb)

2021

• What Will Do About Internet Literacy, republished (December, NCTE blog)
• Help Students Become Adept Media Evaluators (Middleweb, November)
  
• Why Should Educators Care About The Emmy Awards? (Middleweb, September)
• What Do We Want Students To Know About The Media? (Middleweb, July)
• Frank quoted in More Connected? (EdTech K-12, May 2021)
  
• Teaching Media Literacy is Not An Option (Middleweb, May)
  
• Teaching Students to Interrogate Images (Middleweb, March)
  
• Media Literacy: Crucial to Combating Misinformation (Hilton Head Magazine)
  
• Internet Literacy Must Become A Top Priority in American Schools (Middleweb, January)
  

2020

• Visualizing The Trump Presidency (webinar, October)
• Using Print & TV Ads As Informational Texts (Middleweb, September)
• Teaching Kids About Political Ads (July)
• Video As Historian (Middleweb, June)
  
• Media At A Time of Pandemic (Middleweb, May)
• Media Literacy Is Important in Science Class Too (Middleweb, March)  
  
• Verification: The #1 Vocabulary Word for 2020 (Middleweb, February)
• Films Based On True Stories (NCTE Blog, February)
• Social Media Influencers: Who Can You Trust? (Middleweb, January)

2019

• What Will You Do Differently With Media Literacy? (SCASL Messenger, Fall 2019)
• Help Students Analyze The Impact of Political Ads (Middleweb, October 2019)
• Real Media Literacy: Spotting a Fake News Story (Middleweb, August 2019)
• Teach The Techniques of Media Manipulators (Middleweb, June 2019)
• Teaching Visual Literacy: Images and Propaganda (Middleweb, May 2019)
• Visual & Media Literacy: Campaign Optics (Middleweb, April 2019)
  
• Congressional Testimony Meets Media Literacy (Middleweb, March 2019)
  
• Poli-Optics: The Importance of Location in Presidential Campaign Announcements (February 2019)
• Visual Literacy & The Movies (School Library Journal, February 2019)
• Teaching Media Literacy With Super Bowl Ads (Middleweb, January 2019)
• Using Numbers in the News To Boost & Engage Students in Media Literacy (Middleweb, January 2019)

2018

• Your Students Eyeballs Are Still Worth A Bundle (Nov 28, 2018 MiddleWeb)
• When Should We Start Teaching Critical Thinking to Kids (MiddleWeb)
  Renewing Media Literacy Education (SCASL Messenger, October 2018)
• A New Curriculum Uses Film To Teach Democracy
• Use the Emmy Awards As A Versatile Teaching Tool (MiddleWeb)
• Media Literacy and Why It’s Important (Palmetto State Arts)
• Using Short Videos Teach Media Literacy (MiddleWeb)
  
• Improving Educator’s Use of Video To Impact Instruction (NCTE)
  
• Renewing Media Literacy Education (ASCD)
  Using Popular Culture To Teach Media Literacy
• Media Literacy: Revisiting The Grapes of Wrath (Middleweb)
• Media Literacy: Learning from the Oscars (MiddleWeb)
• Media Literacy: 1968 in the Spotlight (MiddleWeb)
• Based on a True Story? History Vs Hollywood (Middleweb)
• Using Weight Loss Ads To Teach Media Literacy (MiddleWeb)

2017

• Using Film To Teach Reading & Literacy (Middleweb)
  
• We’re Not The Only Ones Who Want Kids’ Attention (Middleweb)
• Revised: Why Media Literacy Week Matters So Much (MiddleWeb)
• If There’s War, Where Will Students Get News (MiddleWeb)
  
• What Every Student Needs To Know About The News, (Middleweb)
  
• Using the Emmy Awards To Teach Media Literacy (revised) MiddleWeb
  
• Engaging Students in Tobacco Analysis (Middleweb)
  
• Civil Rights; How Pictures Changed America (MiddleWeb)
  
• How to Close Read Infographics (MiddleWeb)
• Quick Ideas For Visual & Media Literacy Lessons (Middleweb, May 1)
• The WOW Factor: Science, Tech, & The Movies (MiddleWeb, March 26)
• The President and The Press: A Media Literacy Challenge (MiddleWeb, March 14)
  
• The Role of Emotion in Media (MiddleWeb,  February 19)
  
• Close Reading The Media: The Art of Film (Middleweb, January 17)

2016

• How Big Media Shapes The News Students Read (MiddleWeb December 2016)
  
• Students Need Help Detecting Fake News (MiddleWeb November 2016)
  
• Helping Students Become Better Active/ Critical Viewers of Video (MiddleWeb November 2016)
  
• 9 Lessons to Boost Media Literacy  (ISTE, November 2016)
  
• Your Students’ Eyeballs Are Worth A Bundle (MiddleWeb, October 2016)
  
• Why Media Literacy Week is So Important (revised, October 2016)
  
• Media Literacy: Watching The Presidential Debates (Middleweb September 2016)
• Decoding Presidential Commercials (August 2016)
  
• Pulling Back the Curtain on Presidential Ad Techniques (Middleweb July 2016)
  
• Media Literacy: Learning About Product Placement (MiddleWeb, June 2016)
  
• NCSS Media Literacy Position Statement (Social Education, May/June 2016)
  
• When Middle Schoolers Love Parody (MiddleWeb, May 17)
  
• Close Reading: (Magazine Cover) Images of the Candidates (MiddleWeb, April 10)
  
• Teach Argument/Persuasion With Campaign Ads (Middleweb, February 21)
  
• Media Literacy: Learning from the Oscars (Middleweb, February 12 )
• Teach Media Literacy With Super Bowl Ads (Middleweb,  January 23)

2015

• What’s Missing from That Media Message? (MiddleWeb, December 22)
  
• Journal of Media Literacy (guest editor) 
  
• The Media As Portrayed In Film, A Popular Topic (MiddleWeb, November 20, 2015)
  
• Tie TV Advertising To Media Literacy (Middleweb  October 5, 2015)
  
• Propaganda Isn’t History: It’s Current Events (Middleweb September 13, 2015)
  
• Use The Emmy Awards To Teach Media Literacy (Middleweb, August 19, 2015)
• Media Literacy: The POTUS Primary Debates (Middleweb, July 30, 2015)
• Powerful Iconic Images Can Education & Inform (Middleweb, July 8, 2015)
  
• Help Students Close Read Iconic Images (Middleweb May 10, 2015)
  
• Visual-Media Literacy in Presidential Politics (Middleweb April 22, 2015)
  
• Black History Month: The Visions of Gordon Parks   (Middleweb, February 4, 2015)
  
• Media Literacy: Learning from the Oscars (Middleweb, February 1, 2015)
• Teaching Film Literacy (Without the Film) (MiddleWeb, January 11, 2015)

2014

• Teaching Media As Texts:  The Emmy Awards (Middleweb,  August 18, 2014)
• How to Close Read The Language of Film (MiddleWeb, August 6, 2014)
• Close Reading of Ads Promotes Critical Thinking (Middleweb, July 22, 2014)
• Close Reading: Visual Literacy through Photography (Middleweb, July 9, 2014)
• Close Reading and What It Means for Media Literacy (Middleweb, June 29, 2014)
• History vs Hollywood: Who Gets The Story Right? (Middleweb, March 19, 2014)
• Media Literacy: Making Sure Your (Brand) Name Gets Out There (Middleweb, February 18, 2014)
• Media Literacy: Learning from the Oscars (Middleweb, February 2, 2014)
• Libraries & Media Literacy, An Interview with Frank Baker (SLJ Blog, January 7, 2014)
• Teaching Media Literacy During the Weight Loss/Diet Ad Season (Middleweb, January 6, 2014)

2013

• Mastering Media Literacy (chapters on media literacy and film study) (Solution Tree Press, Dec. 2013)
• “Standards, Media Literacy Education;  Media Literacy History– “The Praeger Handbook of Media Literacy”  (ABC-CLIO, December 2013)
• STEAM, Media Arts & Media Literacy,  November 13, 2013, Middleweb.com
• Using Magazines to Teach Media Literacy,  September 24, 2013, Middleweb.com
• Interview with blogger based in India (August 2013)
• Teachers Look to Film to Foster Critical Thinking (Frank Baker, quoted)  August 16, 2013, Education Week
• New Literacies: Scriptwriting June 16, 2013 MiddleWeb
• A View Through Barbed Wire  “The Boy In The Striped Pajamas” (Screen Education, Issue 69, Autumn 2013)
• “Teaching Media Literacy with Technology” (Learning & Leading With Technology, ISTE, May 2013)
• Politicians are manipulating what you see in the news, April 3,2013, MiddleWeb
• Part One and Part Two of an Interview With Frank on Teaching the Oscars,  February 18,20, 2013 SLJ Pop Culture Blog
• Teaching Students About Film Careers & Cinema Literacy,  February 3, 2013, MiddleWeb
• Movies Are Not History (And They Will Never Be) January 14, 2013,  USA Today
• Teaching Visual Media Literacy, Part 2,  January 14, 2013  MiddleWeb
• Teaching Visual Media Literacy  January 7, 2013  MiddleWeb

2012

• The Powerful Images that Make Up Our World View  December 10, 2012 USA Today
• Teaching Kids About Commercials,  November 16, 2012,   USA Today
• Here Come The Toy Ads,  November 11, 2012  MiddleWeb
• Teachable Moment: Watching The Debates With Students,  September 16, 2012 MiddleWeb
• Media Literacy & Politics: What Every Student Should Know September 3, 2012, MiddleWeb
• School Librarians: Allies in Teaching 21st Century Critical Thinking   August 12, 2012   USA TODAY
• Using Online Videos To Engage Students In Critical Thinking and Media Literacy   August 12, 2012 USA TODAY
• Why Should We Care About Media Literacy?  July 29, 2012, Education Week
• Here Come The Conventions  July 26, 2012, USA TODAY
• Media Literacy & Elections,  SC Council of Social Studies newsletter, Summer 2012
• Getting Started With Media Literacy: Easier Than You Think July 15, 2012, USA TODAY
• Presidential Elections, the Media Literacy Way: A Conversation with Frank W. Baker (3) (July 2012)
• Incorporating STEM Into The Arts and Beyond (June 28, 2012 USA TODAY)
• Presidential Elections, the Media Literacy Way: A Conversation with Frank W. Baker (2)
• Presidential Elections, the Media Literacy Way: A Conversation with Frank W. Baker (1)  (SLJ, June 2012)
• The Pitch: And I’m Not Talking About Baseball (May 2012, USA TODAY)
• “Grapes of Wrath” Then And Now (May 2012, USA TODAY)
• Renewing Media Literacy Education (Spring 2012, OELMA Media Spectrum)
• Product Placement: The Business for Your Eyeballs  (April 2012, USA TODAY)
• Looking Back on “To Kill A Mockingbird” (April 2012, USA TODAY)
• The Hunger Games: Life, Death and the Media (March 2012, USA TODAY)
• Advertising Literacy: Another Important Media Literacy Lesson (March 2012, USA TODAY)
• “Political Ads and Media Literacy Skills” (March/April 2012, Library Media Connection)
• Teaching Media Literacy During The 2012 Campaign Season (February 2012, USA TODAY)
• Teaching Critical Thinking with the Movies (February 2012, USA TODAY)
• Using Super Bowl Ads In The Classroom (February 2012, USA TODAY)
• I was interviewed by a columnist with the Fort Myers (FL) News Press (February 2012)
• Media Literacy In The K-12 Classroom (ISTE, January 2012)
• Why Media Literacy Matters (ISTE Blog, January 16, 2012)

2011

• Commentary: Why Core Standards Must Embrace Media and Digital Literacies, co-authored, published in Education Week June 21, 2011
• Seeking Something Extra, Multimedia Resources for Film Studies (Issue 62, Winter 2011, Screen Education)
• Media: The Lens Through Which We See and Understand Our World (Spring 2011, SCASL Media Messenger)
• Media Literacy (guest editor),  Library Media Connection (January-February 2011)

2010

• A Report About Media Literacy from the 2010 NCTE Conference (GMLP, December 2010)
• How We See the President of the United States (GMLP, November 2010)
• Online Resources for Teaching Media Literacy (GMLP, July 2010)
• Teaching Media Literacy Through Magazines  (GMLP, June 2010)
• Thinking About Visual Literacy: Engaging The Digital Natives (SCASL Media Messenger, Spring 2010)
• Moving Forward With Media Literacy   (OELMA; SPECTRUM, June 2010)
• Media Literacy: Critical Thinking for the Information Age – A report from the 2010 Midwest Educational Technology Conference (Feb.2010)
• Media Literacy (chapter) in Curriculum 21: Essential Education for a Changing World (ASCD, January 2010)

2009

• Political Campaigns and Political Advertising: A Media Literacy Guide (Greenwood Press, June 2009)
• News Literacy: Engaging 21st Century Students in Issues That Matter, Ohio Media Spectrum, Spring 2009
• Why media literacy matters, OELMA, December ’08-January ’09

2008

• TV Must Run Untruthful Political Ads, St. Louis Journalism Review, October/November 2008
• Lights, Camera … Debate, Cable In The Classroom, September 2008
• “The Future According to Pixar: a Wall E Study Guide” (Issue #51, Spring 2008 , SCREEN EDUCATION).
• That’s News to Me (Media Smart Tips, Cable in The Classroom, February 2008)

2007

• Don’t let them take ad-vantage (December 2007)
• Profile (Cable in The Classroom, October 2007)
• The New-Media Election (Media Smart Tips, Cable in The Classroom, October 2007)
• Summer Lesson Plans (Media Smart Tips, Cable in the Classroom, June 2007)
• Preventing Obesity in Our Kids (Common Sense Media, March 2007)
• Coming Distractions: Questioning Movies (Capstone Press, 2007)
• It’s All About Questions Media Smart Tips Resources for Library Media Specialists: (Cable In The Classroom, March 2007)

2006

• Toy Advertising Media Smart Tips Resources For Library Media Specialists: (Cable In The Classroom, December 2006)
• Media Literacy: SC School Improvement Council newsletter
• Media Literacy: Using Photos In The ELA Classroom, Ohio Media Spectrum, Fall 2006
• Book Review: “teachingmedialiteracy.com”  Journal of Media Literacy (Telemedium), November 2006
• Focus On Film: Learning It Through The Movies,  Middle Ground NMSA, Oct. 2006  (co-authored with Dr. David Considine) (unabridged version in JML- Telemedium, November 2006)
• Media Smart Tips Resources For Library Media Specialists: Media & Politics 2006 (Cable in The Classroom, September 2006)
• Get ready, Ohioans: Campaign-ad barrage will be ferocious (Columbus Dispatch Editorial, August 2006)
• Media Literacy (column in OELMA Spectrum, late summer 2006)
• Mediating Media Exposure for Healthy Happy Kids  (Jan. 12, 2006 Common Sense Media newsletter)

2005

• Where’s Media Literacy? (October 2005, Threshold )
• Media Literacy: One of the 21st Century Skills Your Students Need  (Palmetto Administrator, Fall 2005)
• The fourth installment  “To Kill A Mockingbird” film study guide
• Australian Screen Education, Issue 38, Autumn 2005
• The Changing World of News & Opportunities for Media Literacy  (Ohio Media Spectrum, Spring/Summer 2005)
• Incorporating Media Literacy In the English Classroom (Florida English Journal, Spring/Summer 2005)
• Part three To Kill A Mockingbird film study guide, Australian Screen Education, Issue 37, Summer 2005

2004

• Media Literacy: One of the New Literacy Skills for the 21st Century
  (Ohio Media Spectrum, Autumn 2004)
• Changing Face of Media In the 21st Century; Beyond Our Borders
  Telemedium, Fall 2004: Tuning Into Democracy: Citizenship, Media & Media Literacy
• Keeping Current : Media Literacy
  School Library Media Activities Monthly, September 2004
• Second installment  “To Kill A Mockingbird” film study guide
  Australian Screen Education, Issue 36, Spring 2004
• First installment “To Kill A Mockingbird” film study guide
  Australian SCREEN EDUCATION magazine (Winter, Issue #35)
• “Using The Media To Turn Kids On to Learning” 
  Spring 2004, SC Middle School Association Journal

1996-2003

• Is There A Place for Media Literacy in Tobacco Prevention Efforts?
  Visions/Revisions: Moving Forward With Media Education, NTC, 2003
• “Media Literacy: Yes, It Fits In Math & Science Classrooms,”
  ENC Focus, 2001
• “Has Media Education Found A Curriculum Foothold?”
  (co-author with Dr. Robert Kubey) Education Week, October 1999
• Media savvy kids are goal of this video program
  Orlando Sentinel, October 22, 1996