Curated OER
Mapping the Mediasphere
Students compare/contrast the media messages they see in two different communities in their city. They list the elements of art and the principles of design in the photographs they have taken in those two different communities. They...
Curated OER
Miscast and Seldom Seen
Consider how well high schoolers' favorite TV shows, movies and video games reflect the diversity of society. The instructional activity introduces your class to several media literacy concepts, such as how media conveys values and...
Curated OER
When Art Conveys Political and Social Conflict
Twelfth graders consider art as a medium to convey information and opinions on social conflict and issues. They analyze images from the Crocker Art Museum, discuss their effectiveness in raising awareness of an issue, and create a...
Curated OER
Making Media for Democratic Citizenship
Young scholars examine global development issues. For this media awareness lesson, students analyze current event issues and create video podcasts based on their research.
Curated OER
Valuing Different Views: Taking a Stand on Media Violence
Students recognize the value of multiple perspectives and differences of opinion. They build empathy and open-mindedness for other points of view. They study the complexity of social and cultural issues such as violence in media.
Curated OER
A Visit to the Mint
Emerging consumers recognize the types and denominations of U.S. currency. They listen to a guest speaker (if possible) and view a video. They create their own money using styrofoam and a toothpick for engraving. Consider creating a...
PBS
Master of the Airwaves: How FDR Used Radio to Ease the Public’s Fears
The political and economic climate during the 1930's was uncertain and tumultuous. But Americans' minds and hearts were eased with the reassuring words of their president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and addresses over the radio. High...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Red States/Blue States: Mapping the Presidential Election
Young historians investigate how voting patterns have changed by comparing the outcome of the 1960 election to the outcome of the recent election. A creative final assessment has participants making a news show wherein they provide...
Common Sense Media
Identifying High-Quality Sites
Use a Huffington Post article focused on false pictures of Hurricane Sandy to launch a discussion about the reliability of online information. Groups compare and contrast how print and broadcast media regulate data gathering with the...
Curated OER
Native Cultures and Values
High schoolers learn about Native American culture. In this history and diversity lesson, students use a website to create a timeline of significant events, contributions, growth and developments of Native American culture groups. High...
Curated OER
Native Americans in Arkansas: The Quapaw
The Quapaw Indians of Arkansas are the focus of this American history lesson. Learners discover many aspects of the Quapaw culture, such as their dwellings, social organization, food, and how the tribe was eventually driven out of...
Curated OER
Made You Look
Students spend some time in the world of marketing and advertising by analyzing and creating slogans and campaigns geared toward adolescents. Students work with a partner to create their design and share with the class
Curated OER
The Student Cafateria as the "Leafy Chestnut Tree"
High schoolers examine the difference between "news" of earlier periods, and "news" as we know it today. They then go out into the school common areas and analyze news from the perspective of word-of-mouth storys and discuss what they...
Common Sense Media
Cyberbullying: Be Upstanding
Peers discuss cyberbullying and how they can defend their friends that may be bullied online and offline. They discover the value in showing empathy for those who have been cyberbullied. Class members then generate multiple solutions for...
Curated OER
Fast Food and Daily Nutrition Choices
Students explore food. In this nutrition instructional activity, students investigate multiple facets of healthy eating and how the fast food industry impacts our society. They will participate in class discussions, read from their...
Curated OER
The Power of Images
Students explore emotions represented in artwork. In this cross curriculum social studies and art lesson, students explain examples of political and social issues expressed in artwork by Dorthea Lang, Diego Rivera, Dan Eldon, as well as...
Curated OER
Identifying the Social and Cultural Context of a Period - The New Negro and the Harlem Renaissance
Students explore the social and cultural context of the Harlem Renaissance. Students take notes on post-it notes while watching videos about the Harlem Renaissance. Students define words used to describe African Americans during the...
Curated OER
Historical Witness: Social Messaging
Students complete activities to study the propaganda elements from various war times. For this war propaganda lesson, students compare and contrast works of art from various viewpoints about war from varying social periods. Students...
Curated OER
Observational Drawing
Students create drawings using oil pastels that convey cultural, social and historical meaning. Drawings are evaluated on use of color planning, contour drawing, color blending, line and pattern.
Curated OER
State Issues: The Native People of Hawaii
Students research issues about their state and community. They work in groups to create a multi-media presentation highlighting the issues.
Curated OER
Design Your Own Cereal Box
Students explore the ways in which media messages work and the ways in which consumers are targeted.
Curated OER
A Monument to Value
Young scholars build a monument to represent trustworthiness. In this trustworthiness lesson plan, students discuss traits related to trustworthiness, suggest images that represent trustworthiness, and build a monument with those images.
Curated OER
Eye of the Icon
Students examine various examples of artwork and identify icons. In groups, they discuss the role of special interest groups and media in promoting icons in society. They create a bust of an icon in the Victorian style and share them...
Curated OER
Exploring Ethnic Groups in Africa
Students research the ethnic groups located in African countries where African Americans immigrated. They view a multi-media presentation imbedded in this plan, then construct posters that represent ethnic groups.