This week’s newsletter is packed with real-world media literacy, a classroom-ready Newshounds activity based on AI-generated “slopaganda”, a trip to Tanzania for the Great Migration in Squiz the World, and a Fun Finish that proves school crossing guards may actually be superheroes in hi-vis vests.

Today on the podcast, Bryce unpacks the growing trend of AI-generated political memes and videos flooding social media feeds during the conflict between the US and Iran. They’re funny. Weird. Highly shareable. And they’re also a perfect real-world example of how propaganda is evolving online.

Which is why this week’s newsletter includes a brand new classroom-ready Newshounds worksheet exploring:

The 3-page worksheet includes teacher notes, discussion prompts, “spot the technique” analysis task, and a creative extension where students design their own slopaganda warning label.

We’ve also provided the link to the AI-generated LEGO-style music video featured in the worksheet, so you can decide whether to use it with your class or simply analyse the screenshots and techniques provided.

Click here to watch on YouTube

This is exactly the kind of digital media literacy challenge we’re dealing with right now. Funny videos no longer just entertain… they persuade.

Feel free to share the newsletter with colleagues, leadership teams, or your school’s digital technologies/librarians/media literacy crew too. The more Newshounds we’ve got out there, the better.

And speaking of Newshounds… keep an ear out later this year because the whole program is getting a bit of a glow-up.
New lessons. New topics. Same mission: helping kids Stop, Think, and Check.

This Tuesday on Squiz the World, we’re heading to Tanzania, home to one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on Earth. We’ll follow the thundering herds of the Great Migration across the Serengeti, where millions of wildebeest and zebras travel in search of fresh grass and water… with hungry predators never far behind.

We’ll climb to the heights of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain. And, meet the Maasai people, famous for their bright clothing, incredible jumping dances, and deep connection to the land and animals of East Africa.

Perfect for Geography, HASS, English and plain ol’ classroom curiosity. Pack your imaginary binoculars and tune in Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts.

School crossing guards or lollipop ladies, as they’re sometimes known, already deserve medals for surviving peak-hour traffic with nothing but a fluorescent vest and sheer determination… but one crossing guard in Philadelphia has officially entered legend status.

After a stolen truck crashed near a playground, crossing guard Jamele Ransom rushed in to help pull a frightened child from the wreckage. Thankfully, the child was okay. But it wasn’t just the rescue that caught people’s attention online…

It was the interview afterwards.

The video has now gone wildly viral online, with thousands of people praising both his quick thinking and his reward of an ice cream directly afterwards.

Here’s what’s happening around the country and the world:

Monday - Food Allergy Awareness Week starts
- Australian Fashion Week starts
Tuesday - International Nurse’s Day
Wednesday - International Hummus Day
Thursday - Women’s NRL State of Origin - Game 2
Friday - 5 am AEST - Delta Goodrem represents Australia in Eurovision Semi Final 2. Watch on SBS - A sneak peek at Delta’s performance.
- NRL Magic Round kicks off in Brisbane
Saturday - China’s Great Wall Marathon
- National Learn to Swim Day (USA)
Sunday - Eurovision Grand Final starts 5 am AEST. Watch on SBS
- World Baking Day