Media Literacy Lesson Plans

Learners observe and discuss advertisements for tobacco and alcohol. They identify how advertisers place information in strategic spots and make their product look good. They choose an ad and fill out the "Diagram for Media Literacy" form.

Students discuss the techniques used in propaganda. In this media literacy lesson, students develop advertising for a new product using a propaganda technique. Students use "Frames 4" software to create and share their commercials.

Students recognize the difference between news stories and advertisements in search engines.  In this information gathering lesson, students understand the necessary terminology to differentiate between ads and news. Students answer questions about media literacy.

Students examine the concepts of media literacy and how they apply to prescription drug advertising. They watch and discuss the Frontline video, "The Other Drug War," complete a worksheet, and answer questions regarding magazine drug advertisements.

First graders identify text features and how they communicate meaning to the reader. In this media literacy lesson, 1st graders view the movie, "The Lorax", and discuss how students from another country would respond to this movie. Students write one sentence and draw an illustration.

Students examine how to evaluate what they are watching on television. They discuss hip hop music videos, compare/contrast them to other types of music videos, write a letter or press release about promoting positive teen stories, and evaluate the news.

Students examine ads for alcohol products to determine which audience the ads are aimed at in this lesson in media literacy. They use math and critical thinking skills to evaluate what audience those ads are aimed at.

Sixth graders design travel brochures using technology to persuade people to visit their location.  In this travel brochure activity, 6th graders must communicate what is attractive about a place that would convince you to visit. Students present their projects.

Students analyze media sources. In this media awareness lesson, students consider media outlets as businesses and discuss how they present information. Students keep media logs and analyze selected newspapers, magazines. or television shows in attempts to impove their media literacy.

Sixth graders research how minority groups are represented in media. In this media literacy lesson, 6th graders investigate two YouTube clips of Hugo Chavez and discuss different points of view.