Together in a Time of War

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on choices for peacemaking during the contra war in Nicaragua.

War and Glory

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using excerpts from songs about 19th century wars to compare songwriters' messages about war and peace.

War on Whom?

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short song excerpts to study the impact of World War One on soldiers and families.

What's the Problem? How Do We Fix It?

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using excerpts from four songs to reflect on the problem and potential solutions to the Iraq War.

Which Way to Peace?

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on choices for peacemaking during the Vietnam War.

Who's A Hero?

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on what constitutes antiwar heroism in the context of the Mexican and Spanish-American Wars.

Why Oppose War?

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using excerpts from four songs to review arguments opposing the Vietnam War.

Why to War? How to Peace?

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short song excerpts to compare songwriters' techniques in crafting songs of peace.

Working for Peace, Working for Justice

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the interconnections between U.S. peace and social justice movements by examining the lives of five peacemakers.

Media Constructions of Peace and Social Justice: Reflecting Diversity

Related to kit: Media Constructions of Martin Luther King, Jr.

The webinar offers educators and teachers-in-training pedagogical techniques and curriculum materials related to peace and social justice topics to support diversity in the media documents we choose for classroom decoding. We explore how to seek out and use diverse media sources to deepen critical thinking practice with our students.

IraqJournal.org: Blogging to Prevent War

Students analyze a blog post for messages about activist organizing to oppose the Iraq War and about news media coverage of antiwar actions This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Dissent or Treason”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

World War 2 Student Peace Posters

Students analyze 6 World War 2 era student peace posters for messages about war making, visual symbols and wartime propaganda. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “For Peace or Against Oppression?”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

"True Leaders Work For Peace" Poster

Students analyze a poster for messages about Martin Luther King, boycotts and about historical context for media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Working For Peace Working for Justice”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

Dorothy Day: Catholic Worker and Peacemaker

Students analyze a calendar cover and a painting for messages about Dorothy Day, the Catholic Worker movement and about discerning media forms. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Working For Peace Working for Justice”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

Peacemaking & the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

Students analyze a book illustration and a wampum belt for messages about historic peacemaking within the Haudennosaunee (Iroquois) confederacy and about values and symbols in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Working For Peace Working for Justice”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

"Iceland Resumes Commercial Whaling" Webpage

Students analyze a webpage for messages about commercial whaling and about editorial decisions in webpage design. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Endangered Species." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

GMOs: For Whose Benefit and At What Cost?

Students analyze a magazine cover, a book cover and a web page for messages about genetically engineered food and about sponsorship of media messages.This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Chemicals in the Environment." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

1868 Grant "Let Us Have Peace" Emblem

Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an image of an 1868 emblem promoting Ulysses Grant for president for messages about candidate imagery and a peace platform.

1864 "Lincoln-Ruin/McClelland- Peace" Poster

Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1864 McClellan campaign poster for messages about political attack based on fear and race.