Curated OER
Hazardous Waste Issues in the News
Students work together to research hazardous waste in the news. They discover how large the hazardous waste issue is. They complete an experiment and discuss how the issues affect their community.
Curated OER
Media Literacy Lesson Plans
Young scholars familiarize themselves with the definition of media literacy and why it is important. In this media literacy lesson, students examine the front pages of three different types of newspapers. Young scholars discuss the...
National History Day
Reporting on World War I
Throughout history, newspapers have reported the events of the day as they unfolded. Using primary and secondary sources from World War I, scholars uncover how the American people learned of the events of the War to End All Wars. History...
American Press Institute
Creating a Classroom Newspaper
Hot off the press: a mini-unit for class members to create their own newspaper. Complete with graphic organizers, extension activities, and helpful learning targets that teach parts of a newspaper, the resource contains everything needed...
Online Publications
Become a Journalist
Explore the newspaper as a unique entity with a detailed and extended unit. The unit requires learners to consider the newspaper's role in democracy, think about ethics, practice writing and interviewing, and examine advertising and news...
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
The Campaign: Issues and Strategies. What do you think?
Students research a candidate in an election and discuss how the media portrays that candidate and how the media influences voters. In this candidate lesson plan, students also distinguish fact from opinion, look at political cartoons,...
Curated OER
Benjamin Franklin: Colonial Printer and Journalist
Fifth graders explore how important print media is to everyone's daily life. Students use present daily newspapers and they are to reproduce weather forecasts.
Curated OER
I'm a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here
Students 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. Students create guides to the paparazzi.
Curated OER
Ad Awareness from Admongo.gov
Students explore mass media by completing worksheets in class. In this consumerism lesson plan, students discuss the meaning behind advertisements and how they are used in television, the Internet and print. Students analyze a group of...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan: The Black Press
Students examine the history of the black press. In this media awareness lesson plan, students watch videos and conduct research regarding the history of the black press in America. Students explore media careers as they read provided...
Curated OER
You Are There: Television News Reports on Apartheid
Students, in groups, research apartheid and its effects on South Africa. They present their information to the class.
Curated OER
Propaganda/Stereotypes Used in the Media
Students write a character sketch on a television character who they feel is a stereotype. In this propaganda/stereotype lesson, students discuss the definition of the terms and ways that the media uses both. Students relate...
Curated OER
Mixed Media Painting
Young scholars 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...
Curated OER
That Is Not My Opinion!
Being an informed citizen requires distinguishing fact from opinion and understanding persuasion methods. Secondary learners evaluate newspaper editorials. They read opinion pieces, identify the writer's purpose and position on an issue,...
Curated OER
Media and War
Students investigate how written media and word of mouth helped foment rebellion during the Revolutionary War. They compare and contrast that with the role of the news media in the war in Iraq focusing on cause and effect relationships.
Media Smarts
Newspaper Ads
Just how free is the press? After examining the advertising and propaganda techniques used by advertisers, class members consider the influence advertisers may exert over newspaper content.
Curated OER
The Impact of an Image
Participate in National Photo Month by creating newspapers with an emphasis on photography.
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Influencing Attitudes
Does propaganda—like that used during the first World War—exist today? The 11th lesson plan in a series of 12 highlights the role of media when it comes to influencing attitudes. Scholars learn about sensational headlines,...
Curated OER
News
Students examine the four main media sources; radio, television, Internet and newspapers, while they determine the reasons that for knowing world news. They write articles to go with given newspaper headlines. They discuss the news and...
American Press Institute
In the Newsroom: The Fairness Formula
Reporting the news is easy, right? Think again! Show young scholars the difficult choices journalists make every day through a lesson that includes reading, writing, and discussion elements. Individuals compare the language and sources...
Administrative Office of the US Courts
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
Freedom of speech is not always free. Scholars investigate how the First Amendment provides for the right to express opinions. Through the court case Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, they analyze free speech using primary documents—and hopefully...
Curated OER
Political Cartoons: Literacy
Readers decode and deconstruct political cartoons to heighten critical thinking, extra-textual literacy, and making meaning from symbolism and metaphor. A compatible activity to use in English class when your 8th or 11th graders are...
Curated OER
What's the News?
Students investigate current events. In this current events lesson, students identify current events from newspaper articles and place them on a timeline.