A @CommonSenseEd Approach to Preparing #Ss for #13ReasonsWhy

Innovative Educators know how important it is to be connected to what is happening in the lives of their students. If you teach secondary students then you know 13 Reasons Why is what's happening. The Netflix series is based on the best-selling 2007 book about a teen girl who commits suicide, leaving behind a series of tapes that hold the story of her motives. The story takes place in the modern day where the element of digital drama and confrontation plays a distinct role.  

When important issues like this make their way into the mainstream, it is important that the school community comes together to support students. In the case of 13 Reasons Why this means combinations of school community members which might include roles such as the innovative educator, the librarian, the guidance counselor, the parent coordinator, students, and family. 

Common Sense Education has compiled helpful resources to support the school community. They include resources such as:

• 5 Conversations to Have with Your Teens After "13 Reasons Why" 
• Common Sense Media review of 13 Reasons Why

You can also find appropriate Common Sense Education's digital citizenship lessons which can be used to start conversations in the classroom on key topics from 13 Reasons Why such as:

• Cyberbullying: Be Upstanding (Grades 6–8)
• Turn Down the Dial on Cyberbullying (Grades 9–12)
• Common Sense Education's Sexting Handbook

 You can check out all the resources from Common Sense Education here.