Are your high schoolers aware of the effect advertising can have on their self-image, self-esteem, and happiness? This lesson from the Media Awareness Network is aimed at increasing that awareness and mitigating any negative effects it...

Play a vocabulary game with words from an article about Savion Glover's contribution to the film "Happy Feet." Then, small groups of students design and create original movie advertisements using vivid vocabulary to give Glover the...

Students rank public figures and decide what makes a good citizen.Working in pairs students design their own way of assessing contributions to society. The following contributions are examined for evaluation: Helping others, obeying the...

Learners investigate the elements found in a media image. The image is used to compose a descriptive paragraph. They exchange papers to discuss the writing and make changes using constructive criticism. Students also make connections...

Students create mixed media still life paintings in this "Happy Accident" art lesson plan introducing the concepts of using pen and ink, watercolors, and pastels. The lesson plan can be adapted for various grade levels and abilities...

A scavenger hunt introduces class groups to the different sections of newspapers and the different types of articles found in each section.

Students examine the issue of body image and the media. They watch and discuss a video, identify ads with unrealistic images, write a letter to the magazine, develop a timeline of changing body types, and conduct research.

Students consider satire in the news by exploring various sources of "fake news," and then creating their own political satire in the form of a skit, news article, or cartoon.

Students learn a song. In this food lesson, students learn the Happy Food Song. Students are given a food model and identify their food. Students sing the song with motions.

Understanding how John Brown got his inspiration from the Declaration of Independence helps learners further understand both West Virginia and United States history. The resource, a standalone, uses worksheets, discussion, and essay...

Learners design and promote technological devices for Father's Day gifts that reflect evolving social trends. They consider the new image of dads cast by today's media and advertisements and its influence.

Analyze the influence of culture, media, technology, and other factors on health. High schoolers will identify and recognize propaganda techniques (glittering generalities, bandwagon, sex appeal, testimonial, transfer, etc.) and write a...

First graders examine biographical information about Tomie dePaola and create a birthday card for him. They play an Author Guessing Game, listen to the book "The Art Lesson," explore the Tomie dePaola website, and illustrate a birthday...

The message that buying things brings happiness is everywhere. Teenagers are not immune to this marketing strategy and benefit from reflecting on the relentless pressure to spend. This exercise invites young adults to consider the value...

A happy discovery occurred in Arkansas in 2004: a woodpecker, believed to be extinct since the 1940s, reappeared! Or did it? Middle to high school ecologists examine scientific evidence and use critical-thinking skills to determine...

Have you ever wanted to tell a character what you really thought of him or her? Use a lesson based on Kyoko Mori's Shizuko's Daughter to encourage learners to write a letter in response to a character's actions. 

Fourth graders create animal habitats and explain the biomes they live in.  In this habitat lesson, 4th graders recognize the basic needs of animals, characteristics of animals differences and places where they live. Students...

From Mr. Merdle to Mr. Madoff? A viewing of the PBS adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “Little Dorrit” launches an examination of greedy characters in literature and a study of greed, unfairness, and economic hardship today. The richly...

Students examine holiday stress. In this current events lesson, students read the provided article "Holiday Stories from Street Corner and Coffee Shop." Students respond to the provided discussion questions.

Drug addiction, including prescription drug addiction, begins with a reason that's different for every user. High schoolers learn more about the reasons people begin abusing drugs with a set of videos and worksheets that discuss four...

Seventh graders discover their cultural and musical identities by collecting data and make journal entries. They create music artist booklet highlighting their musical tastes. Students perform music selection for an audience.

Students examine the life and works of Theodor Seuss Geisel. In groups, they compare and contrast the stories, characters and illustrations he used. They complete a book review on one of the books and share them with other students in...

Learners develop skills in sculpture. They acknowledge that sculpture can be made in a variety of ways. Students encounter different ways paper can be manipulated. They gain experience in collaboration.

Developmentally Disabled high schoolers need to know they types of touch, appropriate touching, and their personal rights. They brainstorm types of touch, go over their personal rights, and discuss social skills. Very appropriate lesson...