Media Smarts
Unit Two: Celebrities and World Issues
Develop media smarts by considering the power of celebrity involvement in world issues. A look at the work of such celebrities as Angelina Jolie, Oprah, and Bono prepare learners to develop their own media campaign for a global...
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Crime Drama Teaching Units
Investigate the nature of crime dramas on television. What exactly are they trying to portray? Questions and a comparison chart support learners as they watch shows from Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. An oral presentation...
Media Smarts
Violence on Film: The Ratings Game
Learn about film and TV ratings systems in Canada (includes a comparison to the MPAA system) and how they influence appropriate viewing for youths. A detailed commentary about the film Seven pointed at revealing flaws in ratings systems...
Media Smarts
Fact versus Opinion
Part of a series aimed at breaking down cultural bias from the Canadian Media Awareness Network, this activity identifies where opinions do and don't belong in a newspaper. Pupils review handouts about the purpose of editorial comments...
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Stonewall and Beyond: Gay and Lesbian Issues
Help learners understand their own biases and how their perspectives may have been influenced by biased media sources. They keep a journal while viewing videos, exploring websites, and engaging in class discussions related to gay and...
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Finding and Authenticating Online Information on Global Development Issues
Learners discover how to find authoritative resources. In this research skills instructional activity, students examine strategies for using the Internet effectively to research global development issues.
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I Heard It 'Round the Internet: Sexual Health Education and Authenticating Online Information
Students evaluate websites regarding sexual health information. In this media awareness lesson, students discuss facts and myths regarding sex as they determine how to find reputable online and print resources.
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Buy Nothing Day
Students discover Buy Nothing Day. In this consumer awareness lesson, students discuss their spending habits and consider the effects of mass consumerism. Students discuss alternative activities to shopping on Buy Nothing Day.
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Through Many Lenses: How are Countries Depicted by the Media?
If you plan to utilize the ABC miniseries, "The Path to 9/11" in your classroom, consider incorporating media literacy and research skills. After (or while) learners view the series, they discuss ways information can differ from source...
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Media Awareness: the Basics of Advertising
Students explore marketing techniques. In this media awareness lesson, students watch instructor-selected advertising and identify the marketing techniques used in each of them. Students then create advertisements for products.
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Elements of Messages
Students examine media messages. In this media awareness instructional activity, students analyze political cartoons and identify the literary elements they incorporate. Students also use the Media Elements Handout to identify the...
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Checking Facts with Snopes, Factcheck & Politifact
Students examine the art of fact-checking. In this current events activity, students read the provided article "Snopes: The Internet Cesspool," "FactCheck: Proceed with Caution," and "Politifact: Separating Fact from Fiction." Students...
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Interpreting & Verifying the News in an Era of Info Overload
Students practice their critical thinking skills. In this media awareness lesson, students read articles about media overload and interpretation of media. Students respond to discussion questions and discuss how they verify news....
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The Role of Television Commercials in Presidential Election Campaigns
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...
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Journalism and Responsibility
Students explore the world of journalism. In this media awareness lesson, students investigate the roles and responsibilities of journalists. Students watch segments of videos and research websites to inform them prior to writing their...
Media Smarts
Making Media for Democratic Citizenship
Pupils analyze global issues. For this video podcasting lesson plan, pupils research Internet and print sources regarding selected global development issues. Pupils plan and create video podcasts that feature their research findings.
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The Electric Hearth
Young scholars examine popular media. In this media awareness lesson, students keep logs of their interactions with media and then write an essay regarding the data.
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Promoting Ethical Behaviour Online — Our Values and Ethics
Students explore Internet safety practices. In this online privacy lesson, students examine their digital footprints in order to assess their online privacy and ethics.
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Journey to Understanding the Elements of Media
Pupils examine the elements of film. In this media awareness lesson, students view film clips and discuss the impact of lighting, music, setting, and costumes on the films.
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Techniques Used to Convey Messages in Media
Students examine different types of media. In this media awareness lesson, students discover techniques used in print, language, symbolic, and technical media as they rotate through classroom station activities.
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Creating the Goods
Students market goods or services to one another. For this media awareness lesson, students use propaganda techniques to create commercials for goods or services of their choice.
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Techniques Used to Convey Media Messages
Students consider the impact of media messages. In this media awareness instructional activity, students discover the types of media techniques employed in advertising and share examples of each as they create media message collages.
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Heroic Images: Visualization and Media Messages
Young scholars examine media messages. In this media awareness lesson, students analyze online messages about heroism as they complete a jigsaw reading activity.
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The Electric Experience
Students investigate the effects of television and radio on culture. For this journalism lesson, students consider how electronic media has shaped journalism as they create timelines that feature the changes and compare and contrast...