University of the Desert
Do Journalists Shape or Report the News?
Analyze the presence of negative stereotypes and biased reporting in news media, and how this affects one's understanding of other cultures. Learners read newspaper excerpts and quotes from famous personalities to discuss...
Curated OER
Charles Darwin Meets John Paul II
If you teach AP English language and composition and are looking for a way to address the differences between written and spoken arguments, consider this instructional activity. Over the course of three days, class members research...
National Endowment for the Arts
Reader Resources: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
A handy guide offers high schoolers support as they read the American novel, The Great Gatsby. Complete with a biography of F. Scott Fitzgerald, a timeline of the Roaring Twenties, discussion questions about the novel, and more, this...
Curated OER
Defining Moments: Analyzing Data
Young scholars create an annotated bibliography on writings related to Japanese internment and analyze the writings for possible bias. They view a video on the Korematsu Internment case and use the internet to find print and non-print...
Curated OER
A Snapshot in Time
Students state the main ideas of the article. They create questions to clarify the meaning of the article and to help explain the ideas. Students cite words or phrases that reveal a bias the author may have.
Curated OER
Gender Equity--Cinderella: An Adaptation
Students identify characteristics common to heroines in a fairy tale and list ways images affect males and females. In this gender bias lesson, students see an adapted version of "Cinderella" and write a journal response. ...
Curated OER
Exploring Racism in America
Learners compare racism today to racism that existed during the nineteenth century. As a field research project, students individually keep track of examples of racism, biases, and stereotypes illustrated throughout the US media over a...
Curated OER
Determining Point of View
Students examine web sites to determine point of view and bias in information sources. They determine the usefulness of information based on these biases or limitations.
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Career Stereotyping
Students learn about gender biases. In this careers lesson, students list possible careers with the gender associated with them. Students discuss gender biases and complete an activity where they find pictures in magazines...
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Spin and Bias in the Media
Students compare different types of media. In this media comparison instructional activity, students will assess the where all types of media gets its information by viewing a video of a news story and critiquing it.
Curated OER
The Tibet Question
Students participate in a simulation, where they interview members of the Tibetan groups, the Chinese and US government officials, representatives of human rights organizations and Chinese scholars. Each student will be assigned to one...
Curated OER
John Lawson's Emigration Impact: Review Writing and Answer Questions
Middle schoolers review the writings of John Lawson. Using his writings, they read comments about them to determine how his writings might have affected emigration to America. They answer discussion questions and share their answers...
Curated OER
Two Truths and a Lie: Internet Research Skills
It's tough for high schoolers to assess what is a credible resource and what is not. A helpful resource prompts class members to research a particular topic and record two facts—and create one lie—while documenting the sources. They...
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
Cell Phone Use and Cancer
The cell phone you're using is making you deaf: news at 11:00. Oftentimes, the media uses fear tactics and other techniques to increase its audience base. In an intriguing look at the difference between scientific journals and...
Facing History and Ourselves
The Power of Images
One picture but a thousand stories. As a part of a case study of how the death of Michael Brown was reported by professional news sources and on social media class members examine the reactions of various groups to a photograph taken by...
Facing History and Ourselves
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown
As part of their continued investigation of the reporting of the shooting of Michael Brown class members analyze photos of Michael Brown and the social media response to these images. The class then develops a guide they...
Curated OER
Fighting Fake News
Fake news. Alternative facts. Internet trolls. In an age of Newspeak, it's increasingly important to equip 21st century learners with the skills needed to determine the legitimacy of claims put forth on social media, in print, and in...
Anti-Defamation League
Exploring Solutions to Address Radical Disparity Concerns
The deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Tamir Rice, and the protests that followed the 2014 shootings, are the focus of a current-events activity that asks class members to brainstorm and research possible strategies to address the...
Media Education Lab
Propaganda in Context
"Board Game Helps Fight Real World Ebola," a video produced by Voice of America, provides the text for a guided instructional activity that asks viewers to analyze the propaganda techniques used in the video. Groups then select a example...
Curated OER
English Vocabulary Skills: AWL Sublist 8 - Exercise 3b
In this online interactive English vocabulary skills instructional activity, students answer 10 matching questions which require them to fill in the blanks in 10 sentences. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
Curated OER
"The Merchants of Cool"
Why are so many advertisements geared towards the teenage population? Watch a video with your class (link included), and have them fill out the attached listening guide. Then discuss persuasion, presenting biased information, and where...
Curated OER
Using Primary Source Documents
Students examine copies of primary source documents and determine the document's value to a researcher. They analyze and evaluate the document for bias or contradiction. They know the difference between a primary and secondary source.
Curated OER
U.S. History: de Soto's Alternate Route
Eighth graders examine various maps associated with Hernando de Soto's expedition. By comparing their textbook maps with newer maps, they answer a battery of focus questions. Using Microsoft Word, 8th graders answer the questions...
Curated OER
Stereotypes
Assumptions and misconceptions are two things that underlie stereotypes. Introduce youngsters to the concept of stereotyping with a role-play activity. They pretend they are employees at a restaurant who have accused a person of...