Television Lesson Plans

Students discuss their experiences with television. They break into small groups and go through the steps of producing a television show themselves. Their presentations are made to the entire class.

Students explore the current television rating system, its content descriptors, and the new V-chip technology that more readily allow parents to control their child's television viewing.

Students identify commercialism from media and compare and contrast the benefits and disadvantages of television. For this technology and society lesson, students view and discuss a film on the effects of television in Bhutan. Students analyze commercialismon tv and report back to class. Students design a broadcasting plan that demonstrates application of educational and commercial purposes of television.

Students explore the difference between analog and digital televisions. They examine how the technology works and the impact of television through history. They also compare older television sets to ones found today.

Eighth graders investigate the evolution of the presidential election campaign. In this media awareness lesson, 8th graders examine the use of television commercials during campaigns and their impact as they complete worksheets based on the 8 commercials they analyze.

Students analyze a variety of literary styles focusing on poetry and prose.  In this made for television lesson, students view video news clips shown during the Vietnam War to discuss how the media affects society's perception of war. Student select an event that occurred during war to research and role-play as a war correspondent. 

Sixth graders investigate the impact of popular culture on Americans. In this 1950's America activity, 6th graders view television clips, listen to audio clips, and  look over fashion photographs from the decade. Students then discuss their impressions of 1950's culture as conformity.

Young scholars compare newspapers to television news and decide which they prefer.  In this newspaper and television lesson, students read an article and watch a video of the same event.  Young scholars discuss the differences, forming an opinion on which is best for them. Students discuss the difference in perspectives.

Eighth graders recognize that the primary purpose of television programming is to deliver commercial messages to viewers and identify techniques in television commericials that appeal to the senses and emotions.

Eighth graders discuss the main reason for television programming is to deliver commercials to viewers. In groups, they identify techniques use by marketing companies that appeal to the senses and emotions. They discover whether they are buying a product because of its purpose or how it makes them feel.