Being Good: A Book of Values to Stand For

Being Good is a book to help kids and parents define and discuss the values that are most important to them, and why.

Take a sneak peek on the inside of this book and you will see why it makes a perfect gift for parents and their children.

It offers inspirational and empowering words of encouragement.  It also gives offers a "living space" where you can add your own thoughts.

Today it is nice to have a tangible book - digital is great, but to have your own thoughts, feelings and a book the gives you wisdom is priceless.

Visit Papersalt and learn more about their educational and inspiring books!  They all make great gifts for baskets or on their own!

Words Wound Video Contest

Across the country, schools are looking for solutions to curb the rising problem of online bullying. Justin Patchin, Ph.D., and Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., the authors of the new cyberbullying prevention resource, Words Wound, think the answer lies in teens themselves. Full of strategies for dealing with online bullying, their book also shares stories from teens who are working to make their schools and communities kinder places.

We believe that teens are uniquely positioned to put an end to cyberbullying. More than parents, teachers, counselors, coaches, and law enforcement—teens have the power and ability to make it cool to respect and care about others.

This is where the Words Wound Video Contest comes in: We want to hear your ideas about how teens can use technology and the Internet to make schools better, safer places for other teens. How can we delete cyberbullying and make kindness go viral?

YOUR ASSIGNMENT

Create a short video (three minutes or less) responding to this question, “How can teens use technology and the Internet to make schools better, safer places for other teens?” Share efforts that are successful at your school or dream up completely new solutions. Get creative! Perform a slam poem, make a mini-documentary about your school, or act out a scenario using stop motion animation. Your imagination (well, that and your video editing skills. . .) is the only limit.
All entries must be posted on YouTube.  Do not send your video to Free Spirit.  After posting your video, email the link and following information to publicity@freespirit.com. Submitted videos will be accessible to the public via the Free Spirit YouTube channel. All entries made by students under age 18 must be submitted by a teacher, parent, or guardian.

Contact information should include the following:

1. The name and email address of the teacher, parent, or guardian submitting the entry.
2. The name(s) of the student or students that produced the entry.
3. The name of the school or K–12 academic institution that the student(s) attend.
4. The link (URL address) to the YouTube video.

THE PRIZE
The winning entry will receive a $250 cash prize along with a $250 gift certificate for their teacher or school library.
JUDGING
The winning entry will be selected by Free Spirit’s Teen Advisory Council. Entries will be judged based on:

• Creativity of the solution
• Perceived effectiveness
• Quality of the submission—Is it both informative and entertaining?

DEADLINES
April 15, 2014: Last day to submit an entry. Submissions close at midnight.
April 30, 2014: A winner will be notified via email and announced on the Free Spirit blog.
Participation in the Contest is subject to the Official Rules, which are available here.

Learn more.

 

Crumpled: Words Matter

 
The power of a word is underestimated. 

This is why we, as a society, have to take online harassment seriously.

Bullying doesn't discriminate. No one is immune to cyberbullying. From schools to workplaces to playing fields to cyberspace -- at any age, you can become a victim of vicious keystrokes and harsh words.

Crumpled is the name of a video created by a group of students that are on a mission to Delete Negativity on Social Media with the #iCANHELP Campaign. The video speaks for itself, the message is powerful and one you need to pass on to others.

These students call themselves The Positive Warriors! It started when someone created a fake Facebook page to make fun of a teacher at their school. Instead of retaliating with cruelty, they decided to come back with kindness by spreading positive messages throughout social media and their school.

This crusade has spread through 100 schools in their state of California. Their goal is to go national.

Will it start with you? Talk to your school about it today.

 Join #iCANHELP on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. The movement can start with you locally! To crumple or uncrumple, the choice is yours...

Words matter, keystrokes counts, use them with care.