In this session, participants will explore how media literacy supports meaning making in today’s complex information landscape and why Washington’s updated ELA standards are prioritizing it. Drawing on Media Literacy for Young Children and developmentally appropriate practices across K–12, teachers will learn how students interpret images, messages, videos, and multimodal texts. The session introduces core media literacy concepts such as message construction, representation, author intent, and the role of digital platforms in shaping what students see. Educators will examine how these skills strengthen reading comprehension, critical thinking, and communication within ELA. By the end, participants will have a clear understanding of the “why” behind media literacy and its essential place in 21st-century instruction.