Media Smarts
Thinking like a Citizen
Explore the influence social activism can have on important issues, and create a class full of young citizen activists. This plan calls for learners to participate in a whole class discussion and brainstorm about ways to effectively...
Media Smarts
Don't Drink and Drive: Assessing the Effectiveness of Anti-Drinking Campaigns
Have your class explore alcohol awareness public service announcements. Provided are a detailed plan and a complete set of materials for doing just this. Learners are exposed to a series of approaches and advertisements and decide which...
Curated OER
The Formation of Public Opinion: Ch 8
After reading about the formation of public opinion, the class can complete this quiz. They answer 5 true/false statements regarding public policy, political attitudes, and public opinion. Then they answer 5 multiple-choice questions...
Curated OER
A Campfire Conversation
Learners examine point of view as it relates to public issues. For this point of view lesson, students become familiar with the point of view of John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt about the wilderness. Learners debate if the wilderness...
Curated OER
Assessing Public Opinion Polls and Building Them
Students explore the role of public opinion polls in America. In this public opinion polls activity, students discover the steps of analyzing poles before they create and conduct their own polls.
Curated OER
Analyzing an Issue From Three Perspectives-Smoking in Public Places
Young scholars examine multiple perspectives on a social issue. In this social issues instructional activity, students discuss New York's recent ban on smoking from the perspectives of different groups. Young scholars takes notes on a...
PBS
America's Infrastructure: Miller Center National Discussion Debate Series
Junior high and high school learners study infrastructure and its relationship to the current economy. They review handouts, watch a PBS clip, and review case studies in order to answer provided questions and role play over their views...
Curated OER
Robinson vs Barlow and the White Indians: A Trial
Students judge the actions of Nathan Barlow and the White Indians by putting them on trial in the classroom. They discuss how public opinion can change based on time. Students judge the White Indians based on the early 1800's not on today.
Curated OER
Campaign Finance Reform and Public Opinion
Young scholars discuss the issue of finance reform in political campaigns. Using the internet, they identify the positives and negatives of finance reform and research the problems associated with campaign fund-raising. They share...
Curated OER
A Day in the Life of Bill C-One: Canada's Parliamentary System
Studnets explore the procedure that makes bills into laws, through research and class discussion. They conduct public opinion and media research surveys and discuss the impact they have on deliberations conducted during the passage of a...
Curated OER
Hidden Persuaders
Students examine classic propaganda techniques to analyze factors which influence learning and thinking processes influencing formation of public opinion through these lessons.
Curated OER
Critical Path
Students widen their understanding of the different points of view surrounding current news topics. They research a current controversy on which public opinion is divided and write a concise commentary on the topic expressing a strong...
Curated OER
Journalists Under Fire
Students research current events in relation to the United States military. In this current event lesson, students find out what is going on in the war and use what they find to explain and debate their stance on current events.
Curated OER
Social Studies: War and the Media
Students examine the impact of the media on various wars, especially the Iraq and Vietnam wars. By examining cartoons and popular music as primary sources, they suggest motivations for the conflicts and propose reasons for public...
Curated OER
The 2004 Utah Priorities Poll
Students participate in a activity that focuses on a state survey for Utah. The survey is intended to find the public opinion of how the state is doing in the public eye. They analyze the survey and create their own to research the...
Curated OER
Explaining 9/11 in Historical, Cultural, and Internatinal Context "Why Here, Why Us, Why Now?"
Students trace similarities among three major religious groups in Western history.
Curated OER
Leaders in a Media Age
Students identify ways in which the president can use various media to communicate his messages and intent. They demonstrate ways in which the news media can create public opinion.