Media Smarts
The Broadcast Project
As part of a unit on media studies, kids are asked to chart their viewing habits, observe the advertising that sponsors their favorite shows, and then to imagine what they would broadcast if given a block of airtime.
Curated OER
"War of the Worlds": A Broadcast Re-Creation
Why did Orson Welles' 1938 Broadcast of a adaptation of H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds cause such a panic? To answer this question, class members listen to the original broadcast and research the panic that resulted. They then engage...
Curated OER
Radio News
Part of a larger unit from the Media Awareness Network on media literacy, this particular lesson plan focuses on the medium of news radio. Small groups participate in discussions on their radio listening habits as well as the...
Pulitzer Center
Food Insecurity
Food insecurity, whether as a result of food scarcity or a lack of nutritious food, is a growing and serious problem in the world today. After discussing the concept of food insecurity, learners listen to an NPR radio broadcast on the...
Curated OER
Radio Program
Students identify and assess the impact of unions on workers, management, and community. They listen to radio stories, students are asked what can they conclude about the impact of unions on the lives of the workers, management, and...
Curated OER
Webquest: Eradicating Guinea Worm Disease in Ghana
Young scholars examine the impact of Guinea Worm Disease. In this world issues lesson, students take on the roles of Peace Corps Volunteers. Young scholars will apply their knowledge of the Guinea worm life cycle to create a plan for...
Curated OER
Comparing the Satellite and Broadcast Radio Landscapes
Students research the development of satellite technology over the last 50 years students explain how the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 changed the rules for corporate ownership of multiple media outlets.
Curated OER
Becoming familiar with National Public Radio
Students listen to a National Public Radio program. They summarize the program, and write a script from a controversial newspaper article that could be a part of the NPR program they listened to.
Curated OER
News
How does broadcast news differ from accounts reported in newspapers? On the radio? Through the Internet? Middle schoolers discuss the news and speak about the differences between news in print and broadcast news. Given a list of six...
Curated OER
President FDR and the New Deal
Students explore the New Deal and President FDR. In this Great Depression lesson plan, students listen to an FDR Broadcast (Fireside Chat) and read sections in their textbooks. Then, in small groups students design and create a broadcast...
Curated OER
News Coverage
Students compare and contrast methods of media coverage. In this media awareness lesson, students keep track of news regarding a world or national issue for the period of 1 week. Students collaborate to describe the type of coverage...
Curated OER
FDR's New Deal
Students explore the facets of the New Deal. In this Great Depression lesson, students research the New Deal and then create radio broadcasts that explain the New Deal to the American public.
Classroom Law Project
Should we believe everything we read? Becoming a discerning consumer of media
Class members investigate the role media should play in a healthy democracy. As part of this study, groups analyze political advertising, use FactCheck to assess not only the veracity of but the persuasions techniques used in candidates'...
Curated OER
Words In The News
Students brainstorm through playing a guessing game to determine the person they will be researching is Fidel castro. They review his background then hear a radio presentation from Castro then answer and discuss a given set of questions.
Curated OER
Radio Program #14-The Back to the Land Movement
Students identify the impact of the "Back to the Land" movement on the Appalachian area. They interview people who have moved back or know someone who has moved back to the Appalachian area. Students graph out profiles of "typical"...
Curated OER
Freedom by the Fireside: The Legacy of FDR's "Four Freedoms" Speech
Students read and analyze Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union Address. They listen to recordings of speeches by F.D.R., answer discussion questions, and participate in a debate.
Curated OER
Why I Serve
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students consider and share the importance of volunteering. Students participate in a service learning project and reflect on it.
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Podcast is 2005 Word of the Year
In this English worksheet, students read "Podcast is 2005 Word of the Year," and then respond to 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.
Curated OER
Fireside Chats of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Students view a film about Franklin D. Roosevelt and his fireside chats. THey identify political inferences in his speeches and how the media played an important role in the war. They answer questions to complete the lesson.