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
TV Dads: Immature and Irresponsible?
Examine gender stereotypes on television, focusing on fathers portrayed in sitcoms and advertising. Questions on a handout direct learners to consider the types of fathers they see on television and one advertisement is highlighted as...
Minnesota State University
Media Portrayal of the Vietnam War
History classes can explore two different depictions of the Vietnam War experience with this engaging resource. While watching clips of Platoon and reading excerpts from the comic, The 'Nam, students take notes for use in completing...
NPR
Suffrage Lesson Plan
Has life changed for American women in the last century, or are there common themes between the lives of 21st century women and the struggle of suffragettes from the 1910s? Explore the ways media reflects the position of women...
Anti-Defamation League
Sexism and the Presidential Election
Young historians investigate how sexism impacted the 2020 United States presidential election. They examine media coverage of the six women candidates, engage in a four-corners debate reacting to statements about gender and the...
National History Day
Uncovering a World at War
Has media always had an influence on public policy? After researching and reading news articles written during World War I, learners understand the influence of communication and media. They discuss articles in small groups and as a...
Curated OER
A Media Literacy Unit on "Turn Beauty Inside Out"
Students become aware of the importance of distinguishing between inner and outer beauty. They explore how the media's opinion of beauty is biased and should be evaluated rather than just accepted. Each student also assesses how the...
Curated OER
World Media: Comparison of Iraq War Accounts
High schoolers are introduced to the concept of news/media bias from region to region. Upon reading differing articles, students answer source questions on the structure/content of each article.
Curated OER
How is the Media Dealing With Cancer in Our Society Today?
Students identify people in the news media who have admitted they suffer from cancer. They explain the types of treatments for each cancer mentioned. They work together to discuss their findings.
Curated OER
he Media and Social Justice Around the World
Students will activate literacy skills in internet medium, and will use reading, critical thinking and writing skills as they work with their groups to collect and organize information. The follow up activity will allow them to augment...
Curated OER
Language Arts: Living in "The Matrix"
High schoolers are able to identify, in a discussion mode, the ways in which the media uses persuasion to achieve their desired aims. They analyze, also in a discussion mode, the media's influence on our society by comparing media...
Curated OER
Beauty Is Skin Deep
Students reflect upon the the experiences of superficial comments based upon physical appearance. The expectations of others is discussed in class. Also the influences of media is stressed and its expectations are demonstrated as either...
Curated OER
Is Seeing Believing...Or Decieving
Seventh graders investigate media protrayal of railroad trespassing incidents. They write a legal action letter against one of the media companies.
Curated OER
The Electric Experience
Students investigate the effects of television and radio on culture. In this journalism lesson, students consider how electronic media has shaped journalism as they create timelines that feature the changes and compare and contrast print...
Curated OER
Lights, Camera, Action! The Role of SCRUM in Parliament
Young scholars explore the purpose of SCRUM in Canadian government, and the roles played by both politicians and the media during SCRUM. They assume roles as politicians and media personnel and stage a SCRUM of their own.
Curated OER
Who Pays for My Favorite Television Program?
Ninth graders analyze media messages. In this media messages lesson, 9th graders identify techniques in television commercials that appeal to the senses and emotions. Students analyze the elements in example ads. Students keep journals...
Curated OER
Human Sexuality Unit
Eighth graders determine how mass media influences human sexuality by looking at advertisements for their sexual content and how the ads affect their decision making. After evaluating the advertisements in a PowerPoint presentation they...
Curated OER
I'm a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here
Young scholars examine the presence of the paparazzi. In this media awareness lesson, students visit the noted Web sites to determine the influence and support that the paparazzi enjoys in modern society. Young scholars create guides to...
Curated OER
Beyond the Printed Word
Students investigate the effects of television and radio on culture. In this journalism activity, students consider how electronic media has shaped journalism as they create timelines that feature the changes and compare and contrast...
Curated OER
African Americans Seen Through the Eyes of the Newsreel Cameraman
Fifth graders examine the portrayal of African Americans in the media. In this socio-political instructional activity, 5th graders view various news clips of African Americans and discuss the way they are presented. Students...
Curated OER
Is Seeing Believing?
Pupils study different photographers who started the concept of battlefield photography. In this media lesson students explore how to "read" a photograph and relate the use of photography during the Civil War to current use...
Curated OER
Administering the Survey
Learners administer Media Violence Survey to family and friends locally, and to students in remote locations.
Curated OER
WHAT INFLUENCES OUR PERCEPTION OF GENDER ROLES?
Students talk about the influence of media on gender equity perception.
Curated OER
Body Image
Students discuss what the media portrays as the perfect physically active image. They discuss how this affects them. Students watch a video on body image. They look through a magazine to find one misleading advertisement and explain why...