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Your Search Results (984)
An Aesop Fable: Media, Morals, and More
Students compare an audio recording, video, and text of the Aesop story, the Tortoise and the Hare, to understand fables and compare different media forms.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
30-60 Minutes
Tracking Climate Urgency: 30 years of IPCC Reports
Students analyze short quotes from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports from 1990-2020 for messages about scientific conclusions and persuasive language related to the climate crisis.
Middle School, High School, College
15-30 Minutes
Kamala Harris & Donald Trump Video Biographies
Students analyze Donald Trump and Kamala Harris film biographies for messages about presidential leadership, media creation, and how political bias shapes media interpretation.
Middle School, High School, College
15-30 Minutes
Video Games & Climate: Analyzing Constructions of the Future
Students analyze video game trailers for messages about climate change and possible futures, about storytelling and marketing techniques and about whether video games can impact social change.
Middle School, High School
30-60 Minutes
Media Construction of Presidential Campaigns
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
A study of select campaign posters, cartoons, and ads teaches students to critically analyze messages from media source and to understand the role media have played throughout the history of American elections. By Chris Sperry and Sox Sperry, Social Education, November/December 2007.
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Critical Thinking And The News
Lesson Conception
Social Studies
High School
Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
The webinar offers high school educators and teachers-in-training pedagogical techniques and free curriculum materials to support a deeper understanding of how to use a wide variety of media forms across the historical spectrum - media from 19th century portraits, songs and handbills, to 21st century websites, twitter and email - to study historical context and to question their credibility.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Youth Culture And New Technologies
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Do No Harm
Document Selection
Lesson Conception
Social Studies
High School
High School US History: 1800 Anti-Jefferson Political Cartoon
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Media Construction of Presidential Campaigns. Students in this video decode political cartoons against Thomas Jefferson.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Social Studies
High School
College
College Level: 2008 Election Magazine Covers
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Media Construction of Presidential Campaigns. Students in this video decode various magazine covers portraying Barack Obama during the 2008 election.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Critical Thinking And The News
Social Studies
English Language Arts
High School
College
(Not So) Unprecedented Media Analysis of the 2016 Presidential Race and Its Historical Precedents
This article helps teachers to understand how to use media documents from the 2016 presidential race (as well as past campaigns) to critically analyze media messages to teach objectives from the new NCSS C3 Framework for the Social Studies and the Common Core ELA standards for secondary social studies. When students examine election posters, cartoons, and ads they will comprehend that many themes--including xenophobia, income inequality, and women's political power--have been historical mainstays on the campaign trail.
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Critical Thinking And The News
Social Studies
High School
Climate Change Through Time Magazine Covers
Students analyze Time magazine covers from 1970-2022 for messages about how climate change has been represented in a mainstream magazine and the choices magazine designers make in selling their products.
Middle School, High School
15-30 Minutes
How Big is the Crowd? Proportional Reasoning and Critical Thinking
Students use mathematical reasoning to evaluate claims about crowd size for President Trump’s 2016 inauguration, and reflect on confirmation bias when assessing truth claims in the media.
High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Climate Change Through Memes
Students analyze memes for messages about climate change and about how memes as a media form impact social change.
Middle School, High School
Under 15 Minutes
To Break the Glass Ceiling: Analyzing Campaign Ads by Women Running for President
Students analyze political campaign ads for messages about female presidential candidates, historical and cultural context, and techniques of persuasion.
Middle School, High School, College
15-30 Minutes
Good Data - Bad Feelings: Graphing Economics, Public Opinion and Media Coverage
Students analyze graphs and media analysis for messages about the relationship between media reporting on the economy and public opinion.
High School, College
Over 60 Minutes
Climate Change Through Movie Posters
Students analyze film posters from 2004-2022 for messages about how climate change has been represented in cinema, and the impact of film socially and personally.
Middle School, High School
15-30 Minutes
Christmas Love - SEL and Media Literacy
This lesson can teach to SEL objectives by having students identify emotions through facial expressions and/or media literacy objectives by having students analyze the messages and techniques used in a commercial.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
15-30 Minutes
Christmas Love - Advertising, Emotions, and Literary Elements
Students analyze a short video commercial about “Christmas Love” for its purpose, the elements and techniques of storytelling, and to reflect on the role of emotion and identity in interpretation of media messages.
Middle School, High School
15-30 Minutes
Music, Media, and Meaning
Students analyze a short clip from the movie Lion King with four different musical accompaniments to recognize how music influences our emotions and communicates different messages.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
15-30 Minutes
Media Constructions of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence
Students analyze diverse media forms related to John Trumbull’s famous painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence for messages about the event, the credibility and qualities of different media forms, and about American history.
Middle School, High School
30-60 Minutes
Wellness Claims and Social Media
Students analyze social media posts with health/wellness claims and evaluate their credibility.
High School, College
30-60 Minutes
The History of Cigarette Commercials: Issues of Persuasion and Regulation
Students analyze 3 TV commercials and a PSA for cigarettes from the 1950s-1960s to assess marketing techniques, health messages and gender stereotypes, and then read about and discuss the 1970 congressional ban on cigarette advertising on television.
High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Deepfakes: What Do We Believe? What Do We Share?
Students evaluate Internet images and videos as fake or true and reflect on how confirmation bias impacts our judgments.
High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Flags: Geometry, Algebra and Cultural Context
This math and/or social studies lesson has students analyze flags from around the world, to understand aspect ratio, flag design and historical context.
Middle School, High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Picturing the Underground Railroad: Historical Context Through Book Covers
Students analyze three book covers to understand historical context, to reflect on how identity impacts interpretation, and to discuss the role of media makers in crafting historical representations.
Middle School, High School, College
15-30 Minutes
Fyre Festival: Gender, Wealth and Happiness in Social Media
Students analyze a short video ad and social media posts for messages about gender, wealth and success; to assess the credibility of media messages; and to reflect on the role media play in shaping our views.
High School, College
15-30 Minutes
Storming the Capitol: Front Page Constructions
In this media literacy activity students analyze newspaper front pages for messages about media representation of the storming of the Capitol.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Charting Media Coverage of War: Israel/Palestine
Students analyze charts with text excerpts from articles for messages about bias in media coverage of the Israel Hamas war, to analyze the bias in the construction of the charts, and to reflect on their own interpretations.
High School, College
30-60 Minutes
UN Sustainable Development Goals and Graphics
Students analyze icons for messages about graphic design and the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Upper Elementary, Middle School
30-60 Minutes
Comic Superheroes and Historical Context
Students analyze comic book covers for messages about historical context and book cover design techniques.
Middle School, High School
30-60 Minutes
Hear Our Voices
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of the women's suffrage movement in the United States.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Women's SuffrageKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Which Side Are You On?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of the U.S. labor movement between Reconstruction and World War One.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Early Labor MovementKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Challenging White Supremacy
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of the black freedom/civil rights movement in the United States.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Black Freedom/Civil RightsKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Claiming Feminist Identities
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of the late 20th century women's liberation movement in the U.S.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Women's LiberationKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
The Law of Immigration
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of immigration reform debates in the U.S since the early 20th century.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Immigrant RightsKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Out and Affirmed
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of the gay liberation movement in the U.S.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Gay LiberationKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Prisons- Justice or Injustice
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the prison justice movement from the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Economics & Social JusticeUnit: Prison Justice
Kit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Questioning Manifest Destiny
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about efforts to oppose manifest destiny during the Indian Wars, Mexican War and Philippine-American War.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Wars of Manifest Destiny: Indian, Mexican and Spanish American WarsKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Peace or Liberty?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of antiwar movements during World War One.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: World War OneKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
For Peace or Against Oppression?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of antiwar movements during the World War Two period.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: World War TwoKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
A History of Global Warming in Science, Politics, and the Media
Media literacy and critical thinking unit using diverse media imagery to teach about how global warming has been perceived by people in the U.S. and how the media has constructed that public perception.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Climate ChangeHigh School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
The War in Editorial Cartoons
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing issues related to the Iraq War by identifying messages and stereotypes in editorial cartoons.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: War in Iraq: Whose Voice, Whose Story?Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Latin American Immigration in Editorial Cartoons
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing messages about U.S. immigration in editorial cartoons from 5 Latin American countries.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Global Media PerspectivesHigh School, College
Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
The Intolerable Acts
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson about political cartoons and the Intolerable Acts.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Causes of the American RevolutionUpper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
History of Chemicals in the Environment
Media literacy and critical thinking unit using diverse media imagery to teach about how chemicals in the environment have been perceived by people in the U.S. and how the media has constructed that public perception. Focus topics include pesticides, fertilizer, gasoline additives and persistent organic pollutants.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Chemicals in the EnvironmentMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
History of Endangered Species
Media literacy and critical thinking unit using diverse media imagery to teach about how endangered species have been perceived by people in the U.S. and how the media has constructed that public perception. Focus topics include indigenous perspectives, whaling, habitat destruction and the Endangered Species Act.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Endangered SpeciesMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Poverty: Climate Change & Water Security
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode web pages for messages about the conditions that make people living in poverty extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Economics & Social JusticeUnit: Climate Change & Water
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
What's So Funny about Climate Change? Editorial Cartoon Opinions
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze six editorial cartoons for conflicting perspectives on the direness of the threat of climate change.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Climate ChangeUpper Elementary, Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Carbon Trading: Arguments for and Against
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze a webpage from the World Economic Forum and an online comic book for conflicting perspectives on the impacts of carbon trading.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Anti-Semitism: Then and Now
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze a poster, a tweet and an editorial cartoon for messages about anti-Semitism.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Decoding the Twenty: Andrew Jackson and Harriet Tubman
In this media literacy activity students analyze images related to the twenty dollar bill for messages about U.S. history and historical context.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Wash Your Hands – What’s the Right Way?
In this media literacy activity students analyze a comic, a graphic, a music video and a public service announcement for messages about the best way to wash your hands to protect yourself from getting sick.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
How Disease Spreads: Cholera Epidemic of 1892
In this media literacy activity students analyze an anti-Semitic editorial cartoon and newspaper editorial from the 1890s, an excerpt from a contemporary magazine article and a webpage from a respected medical health center for messages about the social and scientific beliefs that inform our knowledge about how cholera spreads.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
COVID-19 and the Economy: Conflicting Priorities
In this media literacy activity students analyze two opinion pieces for messages about how to manage the economy during a global health crisis.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Female Superheroes: Changing Powers Over Time
In this media literacy activity students analyze female superheroes from comics of the 1960s and 2010s for messages about changes in media representations of gender and power across fifty years.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Dolphins in the Media
Students analyze a book cover, a magazine cover, a tweet, a poster, a cartoon, a toy and an advertisement for messages about media forms, dolphins and environmental concerns.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
15-30 Minutes
The Early Feminists and Haudenosaunee Women: The Origins of Women’s Rights in the U.S.
Students analyze and ask questions about a 1914 political cartoon and a 2020 documentary film clip for messages about the impact of Haudenosaunee women on the early women’s rights movement in the United States.
Middle School, High School, College
15-30 Minutes
Kerblam!*! - Violence in Comics
Students analyze comic book covers for messages about violence and about the differences between realistic fiction and fantasy.
Middle School
15-30 Minutes
Exploring Genres Through Book Covers - Upper Elementary
Students analyze book covers for messages about literary genres and compare texts in different genres in terms of their approach to similar topics.
Upper Elementary, Middle School
15-30 Minutes
Animals and Images: What do you See?
Students analyze different types of images for messages about image forms and about reptiles, amphibians and dinosaurs.
Lower Elementary
Under 15 Minutes
GMO Yes or No - Decoding Movie Trailers
Students analyze two short movie trailers for messages about GMOs, to ask and answer questions about sourcing and credibility, and to reflect on their own confirmation biases.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Pride Month: Representation and Authorship
Students analyze short Pride Month videos for messages about LGBTQ history and culture and its representation.
Middle School, High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Exploring Genres Through Book Covers - Lower Elementary
Students analyze book covers for messages about literary genres.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
15-30 Minutes
Bias in School Curriculum: News Report or Analysis?
Students analyze a news report and news analysis about bias in school curriculum and about how their own biases influence their interpretations and responses.
High School, College
15-30 Minutes
Vaccine Safety - Exploring Our Own Biases
Students analyze two short news videos about the safety and speed of the creation of the mRNA Covid vaccine, about sourcing and credibility of the videos and the scientific information presented in them, and about their own confirmation biases.
High School, College
15-30 Minutes
Winter Holidays Around the World
Students analyze book covers for messages about winter holidays around the world and about book covers as media messages.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
15-30 Minutes
The Murders of Osage Indians: Media Forms, Qualities, and Credibility
Students will explore how different media forms represent the history of the Osage murders, the credibility of sources, and their own preferences.
Middle School, High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Physics or Fiction - Will Tango and Cash get electrocuted?
After viewing clips from a feature film and web videos, students will identify messages about electrical currents and shock, analyze sources and credibility, and reflect on strategies for finding accurate information.
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Under 15 Minutes
Where's the Media? How Can You Tell?
Students analyze an array of images of potential new and old media forms for messages about what constitutes media and the purposes of media through the ages.
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School
30-60 Minutes
Is This Media? How Can You Tell?
Students analyze an array of images for messages about what is media.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
Under 15 Minutes
Asian American and Pacific Islander History and Culture: Representation and Authorship
Students analyze short videos for messages about Asian American and Pacific Islander histories and cultures and their representation.
Middle School, High School, College
30-60 Minutes
A.I. – Pros, Cons, Credibility and Bias
Students analyze short videos for messages about the pros and cons of artificial intelligence, the bias and credibility of each source, and our own thinking about the issue.
High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Starter Kit for Elementary Library & Information Literacy K-2
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Lower Elementary
Starter Kit for Elementary Library & Information Literacy 3-5
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Upper Elementary
Starter Kit for Library & Information Literacy 6-8
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Middle School
Starter Kit for Library & Information Literacy 9-12
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
High School
Japanese Internment During WW2
Students analyze four short video representations about Japanese internment during WWII for messages about this event, how it is constructed, its historical and cultural context, and our understanding of history.
Middle School, High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Mediated AI: Artificial Intelligence in Feature Film
Students analyze film excerpts from the 1950s to the 2020s for messages about the impacts of artificial intelligence on society.
Middle School, High School, College
30-60 Minutes
The Chinese Exclusion Act - Media and Messages
Students analyze late 19th and early 20th century legislation and Senate testimony, legal documents, political cartoons, a pamphlet and handbill, a newspaper front page and illustration and advertisements for messages about Chinese immigrants and the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Middle School, High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Starter Kit for College
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Social Studies
English Language Arts
Health
Science And Environment
Math
Arts
Psychology
Media Production
Pre-service Teacher Education
College
Starter Kit for US History & Government 9-12
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Social Studies
High School
Starter Kit for Global Studies 9-12
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Social Studies
High School
Starter Kit for Economics 9-12
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Social Studies
High School
Starter Kit for Social Studies 6-8
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Social Studies
Psychology
Middle School
Starter Kit for Science 6-12
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Science And Environment
Middle School
High School
Starter Kit for Music 6-12
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Arts
Middle School
High School
Starter Kit for Math 6-12
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Math
Middle School
High School
Starter Kit for Health & Consumer Education 6-12
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Health
Middle School
High School
Starter Kit for ELA 6-12
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
English Language Arts
Middle School
High School
Starter Kit for Civics & Government 6-12
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Social Studies
Middle School
High School
Starter Kit for Art & Media Studies 6-12
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Arts
Media Production
Middle School
High School
Starter Kit for Elementary Health 3-5
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Health
Upper Elementary
Starter Kit for Elementary All Subjects 3-5
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Social Studies
English Language Arts
Health
Science And Environment
Math
Arts
Psychology
Media Production
Upper Elementary
Starter Kit for Elementary Health K-2
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Health
Lower Elementary
Starter Kit for All Subjects K-2
This guide gives users a brief overview of our approach (question-based media decoding) and materials (e.g., lessons) available for free from the Project Look Sharp website for a particular level and subject.
0 downloads
View
Constructivist Media Decoding
Document Selection
Question Design
Social Studies
English Language Arts
Health
Science And Environment
Math
Arts
Psychology
Media Production
Lower Elementary
Our Changing Planet: Climate, SEL, and Media Literacy for Our Youngest Students
Students analyze excerpts from a picture book for messages about the impact of climate change and the actions people can take for the planet - while also reflecting on their emotional responses and the intent of the author/illustrator.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
30-60 Minutes
Origins of Hip Hop: Considering "The Message"
Students analyze song lyrics, a music video and an excerpt from a documentary for messages about the origins of hip hop as reflected in the song, “The Message.”
Middle School, High School, College
15-30 Minutes
Math, Media, and Me
Students analyze web videos and feature film clips for messages about how mathematicians solve complex problems, our own reactions to math, and media portrayals of math problem solving.
Middle School, High School
15-30 Minutes
Migrant Mother: Photos as Fact or Opinion
Students analyze Dorothea Lange’s “Migrant Mother” photograph and reflect on the constructed nature of photographs by evaluating whether photographs are fact, opinion, or something else.
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, College
15-30 Minutes
Women in Hip Hop: "Ladies First"
Students analyze song lyrics, a music video and an excerpt from a documentary for messages about women’s place in hip hop in Queen Latifah’s song “Ladies First.”
Middle School, High School, College
15-30 Minutes
Demonstration Video: January 6, 2021: Newspaper Front Pages
Middle School teacher, Mary Kate Longeran, leads her students through a decoding of domestic and international newspapers - using the Project Look Sharp lesson: “Storming the Capital” - to analyze media construction and bias in news coverage. (Total Time: 8:57) Published 2023
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Reflecting Diversity
Social Studies
English Language Arts
Health
Pre-service Teacher Education
Middle School
Demonstration Video: Gender Stereotypes and Google Algorithms
Middle School teacher, Mary Kate Longeran, uses the Project Look Sharp lesson “Google Image Searches: Do they Promote or Counter Stereotypes?” to lead her students through an analysis of stereotypes and algorithmic bias. (Total Time: 6:10) Published 2023
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Youth Culture And New Technologies
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Reflecting Diversity
Question Design
Social Studies
English Language Arts
Pre-service Teacher Education
Middle School
High School
Demonstration Video: Interpreting Charts of Media Use: Gen Z vs. Boomers
Middle School teacher, Mary Kate Longeran, leads her students through a decoding of charts using the Project Look Sharp lesson “Changing Our Media Habits: The Impact of the Pandemic” – to teach students to analyze and question charts and explore differences in generational media use. (Total Time: 5:15) Published 2023
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Youth Culture And New Technologies
Critical Thinking And The News
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Reflecting Diversity
Question Design
Social Studies
English Language Arts
Health
Math
Pre-service Teacher Education
Middle School
High School
Demonstration Video: Choosing a Just Right Book
School librarian, Michele Coolbeth from East Syracuse, NY, leads her first graders through analyzing different book covers and text [and drawing their own conclusions about the appropriateness of the book as an independent reading choice] - using our lesson, How Do I Choose? Picking the Right Book for Me.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Question Design
English Language Arts
Pre-service Teacher Education
Lower Elementary
Demonstration Video: What is Media - Kindergarten
School librarian, Michele Coolbeth, has her students identify media, including in their clothing – and then reflects on the importance of teaching young students to recognize that media is all around them.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Question Design
Social Studies
English Language Arts
Media Production
Pre-service Teacher Education
Lower Elementary
Demonstration Video: Who is Family? - Kindergarten
School librarian, Michele Coolbeth, leads kindergarten students through analyzing book covers for messages about the diversity of families - using the Project Look Sharp lesson, “Who is Family?”
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Reflecting Diversity
Question Design
Social Studies
English Language Arts
Health
Pre-service Teacher Education
Lower Elementary
Demonstration Video: Wash Your Hands - Kindergarten
School librarian, Michele Coolbeth, has her students reflect on the qualities of different media forms (videos and a poster) while learning how to wash their hands. (Total Time: 2:13) Published 2023
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Question Design
English Language Arts
Health
Pre-service Teacher Education
Lower Elementary
Arguing For Freedom
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of the movement to abolish slavery in the United States in the early and mid-19th century.
Middle School, High School, College
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Veterans’ Statues: Reading the Messages
Students analyze sculptures of war veterans for messages about purpose, point of view and meaning.
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School
15-30 Minutes
Mr. Rogers: What Do We Do When Our Feelings Are Hurt?
In this media literacy activity students analyze clips from a documentary film and a feature film about Mr. Rogers for messages about storytelling in film and about how to deal with difficult feelings.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
How Do We Identify Good Sustainability Stories? (Upper Elementary)
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing videos to discern messages about how videos can tell stories to inform and engage the public about sustainability issues and initiatives.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: ProductionKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Individual, Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Corporate Greenwashing? Exxon and Greenpeace
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode an ExxonMobil commercial and an environmental advocacy video for conflicting messages about corporate advertising credibility and about human impact on the environment.
Middle School, High School, College
Individual, Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
Proclamation of 1763
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson about Native American and colonial perspectives on the Proclamation of 1763.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Causes of the American RevolutionUpper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Liquids in Spiderman vs. Hydroman
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two short excerpts from an educational video on the changing states of water and a Spiderman vs. Hydroman cartoon for representations of the liquid state of water.
Lower Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Congressional Blog Posting on Immigration Reform
Students analyze a 2009 Congressional blog post for messages about immigration reform and about target audience. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “The Law of Immigration." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Arguing For Freedom
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of the movement to abolish slavery in the United States in the early and mid-19th century.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Abolition of SlaveryKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Hate Culture, the Internet, and What Can We Do?
Students analyze videos for messages about how digital platforms, especially social media, accelerate hate ideology and about actions people can take to challenge hate speech.
High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Pocahontas: Can We Really Know Who She Was?
Students analyze clips from videos for messages about Pocahontas and about judging the credibility of contemporary sources about historical events.
Upper Elementary, Middle School
15-30 Minutes
TikTok Timebombs: Methods of Media Manipulation
Students analyze and evaluate the accuracy, purpose and techniques of manipulation in TikTok videos, and reflect on their own reactions and biases.
High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Trails of Tears: Who's Telling the Stories and How?
Students analyze videos about the Cherokee trails of tears for messages about techniques, credibility and sourcing.
Middle School, High School
30-60 Minutes
Zero: Who Invented It and How Do We Know?
Students analyze short videos for messages about zero, when and where it was invented, the credibility and point of view of information, and about the influence of culture on history.
Middle School, High School, College
15-30 Minutes
1944 Dewey Response to "Fala Speech"
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing the text of as speech from the 1944 Thomas Dewey campaign for messages about political attacks and speech-making techniques.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Abolitionists on Film
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to teach about arguments for the abolition of slavery and the tactics used by abolitionists.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Abolition of SlaveryKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Consumer Choices About Natural Resource Use Assessment
Media literacy and critical thinking assessment analyzing messages in a book cover and poster and writing an opinion piece on consumer choices,
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Natural ResourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Individual
30-60 Minutes
"Celebration" or "Protest"?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson contrasting TV news representations of an incident at a mosque early in the war.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: News Accuracy and CredibilityUnit: War in Iraq: Whose Voice, Whose Story?
Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
1967: Deepening the Divide
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing two conflicting website accounts of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Israel/Palestine: Histories in ConflictKit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2016 Balancing Facebook Viewpoints
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding Blue Feed/Red Feed posts about the outcome of the 2016 election for sources, bias and interpretation.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2016 Explaining the Result
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding TV news clips explaining the outcome of the 2016 election for point of view, credibility and interpretation.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2016 Meaning in Memes
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding memes about the 2016 election for the impact of social media forms and interpretation.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
A Media Chronology
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson about Dr. King's public accomplishments and their representation in the media.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Martin Luther King, Jr.Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
A Pair of Portraits
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson comparing portraits of George Washington and King George.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill BuildingKit: Causes of the American Revolution
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
A Revolution in Iran
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson reviewing the history of U.S./Iranian relations by analyzing Time magazine covers.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Global StudiesUnit: Militant Muslims and the U.S.
Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Activity Name 1
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode (name the media document type) for messages about (name the core content information or literacy skills).
College
Group - Small (3-5 Members)
30-60 Minutes
Additional Practice Videos for First Grade
A set of 10 video advertisements for children's toys and breakfast cereals with decoding prompts for messages about target audience, advertising tricks and disclaimers.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: First Grade LessonsKit: Critical Thinking & Health: Nutrition and TV Commercials
Lower Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Additional Practice Videos for Kindergarten
A set of 11 video advertisements for children's toys and breakfast cereals with decoding prompts for messages about target audience, advertising tricks and disclaimers.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Kindergarten LessonsKit: Critical Thinking & Health: Nutrition and TV Commercials
Lower Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Advertiser's Power of Persuasion - Animals
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing print advertisements and public service messages about dogs and endangered species. Writing scripts for ads or public service announcements promoting actions to protect animals.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill BuildingUnit: Animals (lower elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary
Lower Elementary
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Advertiser's Power of Persuasion - Fruits & Vegetables
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing print advertisements and public service messages about carrot-related food products and writing scripts for ads or public service announcements promoting healthy eating habits.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Plants (lower elementary)Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary
Lower Elementary
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Advertiser's Power of Persuasion - Water
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing print advertisements and public service messages about bottled water and vitamin water and writing scripts for ads or public service announcements promoting their water consumption design for a healthy body, budget and earth.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill BuildingUnit: Water (lower elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary
Lower Elementary
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
African Money
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing messages about African countries by examining images in currency.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill BuildingKit: Introducing Africa: Critical Thinking and Media Literacy
Upper Elementary
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
African and Free – Maroon Resistance in the Americas
Students analyze videos produced by and about people of the African diaspora in the Americas for messages about representations of their peoples' freedom, resistance, and ties to Africa.
Middle School, High School, College
30-60 Minutes
After War Begins
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on choices for peacemaking during the Iraq War, especially among those serving in the military.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Iraq WarKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Ageism in Advertising: Promoting or Countering Stereotypes?
Students analyze television commercials for messages about stereotypes and counter-stereotypes of elders.
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Agriculture: Sustainable v. Industrial
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode two web videos for messages about industrial and sustainable agriculture.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
All You Need is Love: The Beatles in Music and Film
Students analyze excerpts from a documentary, an animated film and a video of a music performance, all centering on the song “All You Need Is Love,” for messages about artistic expression, historical context and interpretation.
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, College
30-60 Minutes
America: Through Music Videos
Students analyze excerpts from music videos about America for messages about identity, media forms and historical and cultural context.
Middle School, High School, College
30-60 Minutes
American Rifleman: Message Shifting Over Time
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze covers from American Rifleman magazine from the 1970s, 1990s and 2010s for messages about changing target audience.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Analyzing the Roots of Terrorism
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson exploring possible reasons for militant Muslim attacks on the west by analyzing and comparing four editorial writings, a speech by President George W Bush and an interview with Osama bin Laden.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: The U.S. at War and Peace: American Revolution to the War in IraqUnit: Militant Muslims and the U.S.
Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Ancient Egypt - Ancient Media?
In this media literacy activity students analyze images of things found in ancient Egypt to determine which might be considered media and to explore how the cultural characteristics of places change over time.
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Ancient Nubia & Ancient Egypt: What’s the Story?
In this media literacy activity students analyze two film clips for messages about the ancient Egyptians and Kushites, the role of racism in archaeology and storytelling choices in documentary film.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Apocalyptic Weather Systems in Movies: Science Fact or Science Fiction
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze a brief clip from the feature film, "The Day After Tomorrow" and a science blog post for conflicting perspectives on the potential impacts of extreme weather events related to global climate change.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Aretha Franklin: Amazing Grace
Students analyze excerpts from a documentary and a TV mini-series about Aretha Franklin singing “Amazing Grace” for messages about artistic expression and the impact on individuals and society.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Artistic Repurposing as Environmental Activism
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze a web video and film trailer about the impacts of oceanic plastic pollution for messages about artists actions for environmental awareness.
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Assessing Carbon Footprints
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing the carbon footprint implications for various products using short readings and "green" advertisements culminating in student reflection on personal consumer choice as it relates to sustainability.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Climate ChangeHigh School, College
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
BP Oil and Gulf Fisheries
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson about the impact of the BP oli spill on Gulf Coast fisheries by decoding headlines and video clips.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: News Accuracy and CredibilityKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and Agriculture
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Baby Shark: Introducing Analysis Skills
Students analyze the viral video “Baby Shark” to practice observation, link evidence to a document, assess what is true and not about sharks, and reflect on the credibility of media messages.
Lower Elementary
15-30 Minutes
Background History: Conflicting Timelines
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson exploring bias in the representation of late 20th century Iraqi history in historical timelines created by the US State Department and People Judge Bush.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: War in Iraq: Whose Voice, Whose Story?Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Ban the Bag or Not? What Else Should We Know?
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze a Scholastic news article and a page of a website called Bag the Ban for different perspectives on the use of plastic bags and their effects on our environment.
Upper Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Benefits And Costs Of Using Plastic Shopping Bags
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two short excerpts from websites about plastic bags for conflicting perspectives on the costs and benefits of plastic shopping bags.
Upper Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Biofuels
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson comparing varied perspectives about growing corn as a biofuel commodity by decoding three text excerpts and six video clips.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and AgricultureHigh School, College
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Bioregional Economy
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson in which students will complete and present a multimedia research project on just and sustainable economic development projects in their bioregion.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: FingerlakesHigh School, College
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Birth of the USSR
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using posters to teach about the origins of the Soviet Union.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: The Birth of the USSRKit: Soviet History Through Posters: A Visual Literacy Kit
High School, College
Whole Class
Black Identity
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using excerpts from four songs to reflect on the meaning of black identity in the black freedom/civil rights movement.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Black Freedom/Civil RightsKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Black Lives Matter and Climate Change: What's the Connection?
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a news article and an opinion piece about the connections between the Black Lives Matter movement and climate change for issues related to social and scientific content and geographical context.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Blowing the Whistle On Big Tobacco Propaganda
In this media literacy activity students analyze a cigarette ad, an excerpt from an investigative documentary, a clip from a TV news program and a clip from a dramatic feature film for messages about the tobacco industry’s efforts to mislead the public about the health consequences of smoking.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Bob Dylan: Storytelling for Social Justice
In this media literacy activity students analyze video clips from feature film and documentary film for messages about songwriting and social protest.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Boston Tea Party
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson about primary and secondary source representations of the Boston Tea Party.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: The U.S. at War and Peace: American Revolution to the War in IraqKit: Causes of the American Revolution
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Bottled Water?
This media literacy activity was created to integrate the teaching of English language instruction with media literacy for educators in Panama. In this media literacy activity students watch short video clips with English narration and text to analyze authorship, purpose and target audience and to discuss environmental issues related to bottled water.
Middle School, High School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Butterflies in the Media
Students analyze a magazine cover, a T-shirt, a book cover, a webpage, a button and a comic for messages about butterflies, endangered species and media forms.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
15-30 Minutes
COVID-19 & Climate Change: Graphing the Connection
In this media literacy activity students analyze online graphs and text for messages about the connections between the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Can You Judge A Book by its Cover?
Students analyze pairs of different covers for the same children’s book for messages about techniques, purpose and target audience.
Upper Elementary
15-30 Minutes
Carbon Sequestration: Solutions to Climate Change
In this media literacy activity students analyze videos for messages about the effectiveness of different carbon sequestration solutions in reversing the impacts of greenhouse gas releases on climate change.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Carry Me to Freedom
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short song excerpts to compare musical forms carrying abolitionist messages.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Abolition of SlaveryKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Case Study: From Witness to Action
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to teach about strategies activists have taken to remedy environmental injustice.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Environmental JusticeKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Censoring Seuss: Cancel Culture or Cultural Respect?
Students evaluate pages from Dr. Seuss books that were removed by the family for perpetuating stereotypes and then analyze a tweet and replies that includes support and criticism for censoring those images - discussing both the issues and the civility of the comments.
High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Cereal Commercials
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson introducing the concept of a "complete breakfast," identifying packaging clues about sugar in cereal and recognizing tricks in the construction of breakfast cereal commercials.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Kindergarten LessonsKit: Critical Thinking & Health: Nutrition and TV Commercials
Lower Elementary
Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
15-30 Minutes, 30-60 Minutes
Challenging Homophobia
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short song excerpts to reflect on messages about gay liberation and resistance to homophobia.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Gay LiberationKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Changing Our Media Habits: The Impact of the Pandemic
In this media literacy activity students analyze charts, graphs and illustrations for messages about media consumption changes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Middle School, High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Chukchi Sea Oil Drilling
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short informational writing excerpts to reflect on the pros and cons of Alaskan oil drilling.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Resource DepletionMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Clickbait – Can You Spot It?
This media literacy activity was created to integrate the teaching of English language instruction with media literacy for educators in Panama. In this media literacy activity students analyze webpages to identify clickbait strategies.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Climate Change, Agriculture & Sustainability
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson reflecting on the impacts of climate change on agriculture and the role of agricultural practices in contributing to climate change.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Climate ChangeKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Fingerlakes
High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Climate Change: Do Corporations Have an Obligation to Share Their Research Findings for the Public Good?
This is a media literacy activity in which students analyze two web video clips for conflicting perspectives on Exxon's research into climate change and its responsibility to release its findings to the public.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Climate Disaster: Young People Act
In this media literacy activity students analyze videos of young climate activists for messages about the forms and effectiveness of climate disaster protest.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Climate: Climate Change & Biodiversity
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode webpages for messages about the impact of climate change on ecosystem biodiversity.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: BiodiversityKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Climate: What Can We Change?
In this media literacy activity students analyze children’s videos for messages about the impacts of climate change and what people can do to help.
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Coal: Benefits and Costs
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a magazine cover and spread for messages about how human use of natural resources for energy affects the biosphere.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Energy SourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Cochabamba, Water for Sale
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short informational writing excerpts to reflect on the pros and cons of water privatization in Bolivia.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: News Accuracy and CredibilityPlaylist: Global Studies
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Resource Depletion
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Columbus “Discovers” America: What’s The Story?
Students analyze three illustrations for messages about Columbus and the Tainos, and reflect on changing perspectives on history.
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, College
15-30 Minutes
Commercials, Part 1
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson introducing the concept of advertiser intent and tricks in the construction of TV commercials.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Kindergarten LessonsKit: Critical Thinking & Health: Nutrition and TV Commercials
Lower Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Commercials, Part 2
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson introducing the concept of target audience and tricks in the construction of TV commercials.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Kindergarten LessonsKit: Critical Thinking & Health: Nutrition and TV Commercials
Lower Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Community Responses to Climate Disaster Recovery
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze an opinion piece and the executive summary of a governmental report for conflicting perspectives on effective climate disaster recovery efforts.
High School, College
Individual, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Comparing Renewables: U.S. vs. Global Energy Use
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode graphs for messages about how the use of renewable energy sources can help to reduce human vulnerability to climate change.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Global StudiesUnit: Energy Sources
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Confirmation Bias, Coronavirus and the 2020 Presidential Campaign
In this media literacy activity students analyze the credibility of a controversial pro-Biden political ad attacking President Trump on his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, a tweet in response by Trump War Room, and an article from the fact-checking website Politifact about the controversy. Students then analyze their own confirmation bias as they reflect on how they evaluate the credibility of sources on political issues.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Confrontation in the Streets: What Do You know?
In this media literacy activity students analyze a viral video and a TV news program on the same event for messages about historical context and viral messages in social media.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Conspiracy Theories About COVID-19: Who’s Selling? Who’s Buying?
In this media literacy activity students analyze media documents that allege conspiracies related to the coronavirus. Students then analyze media messages for credibility and reflect on their own biases in interpreting conspiracy theories.
Middle School, High School, College
Individual, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Constructing King
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing diverse media representations of Dr. King including conflicting video interpretations of Dr. King and Malcolm X.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Martin Luther King, Jr.Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Consumerism & Sustainability
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson asking students to consider their own consumer decisions relating to sustainability through a process of decoding TV commercials and videos about bottled water.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and AgricultureMiddle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Covering Black Lives Matter: Front Page Constructions
In this media literacy activity students analyze newspaper front pages for messages about media representation of nationwide protests following the murder of George Floyd.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Covering the War
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson contrasting messages about key events in the Iraq War as presented on newspaper front pages.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: War in Iraq: Whose Voice, Whose Story?Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Creative Visions of the Future
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing the imagined future of food, water and agriculture as viewed through the creative media of film, song, poetry and science fiction literature.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and AgricultureHigh School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Creativity in Mentoring
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing four short excerpts from feature films about mentoring by elders.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Creativity & Aging Through the Lens of FilmHigh School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Creativity in Music
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing four short excerpts from films about aging and musical creativity.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Creativity & Aging Through the Lens of FilmHigh School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Creativity in Preserving Cultural Tradition
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing four short film excerpts about the roles of elders in preserving cultural traditions.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Creativity & Aging Through the Lens of FilmHigh School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Creativity in Relationships
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing four short film excerpts about creativity in relationships among elders.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Creativity & Aging Through the Lens of FilmHigh School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Creativity in Service
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing four short film excerpts about creativity in service among elders.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Creativity & Aging Through the Lens of FilmHigh School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Critical Race Theory – Whose History? Whose Story?
Students analyze clips from a variety of video sources for messages about the teaching of U.S. history, critical race theory and the power of media to persuade.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Cyberbullying: How It Hurts & How to Help
In this media literacy activity students analyze videos made for students for messages about the effects and remedies for cyber-bullying.
Upper Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Damming the Rivers
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on river damming projects and on the use of water as a resource.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Resource DepletionMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Dams and Rivers: To Build Or To Remove?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing videos to discern messages about the human benefits and environmental impacts of building and removing hydropower dams
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Natural ResourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Deciding On Our Food Choices Assessment
Media literacy and critical thinking assessment analyzing messages in posters and writing about food choice messages and persuasion techniques in posters.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Food ChoicesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Individual
30-60 Minutes
Declaration of Independence
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing rights and grievances in the Declaration of Independence.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill BuildingKit: Causes of the American Revolution
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Decoding the Dollar Bill: Historical Context and Identity
Students analyze the imagery, symbols and words on the dollar bill for messages about the United States, historical context and our own identities.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Defining Sustainability
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing textual and diagrammatic definitions of sustainability presented by diverse corporate and civil society sources.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and AgricultureHigh School, College
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Depleted Uranium
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short informational writing excerpts to reflect on the health and environmental effects of depleted uranium as a weapon in war.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Chemicals in the EnvironmentMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Dinosaurs: What’s True and What’s Not?
Students analyze messages about dinosaurs in a film, an advertisement, a website, a video game, a TV program and a fiction and non-fiction book - and assess the credibility of each source.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
15-30 Minutes
Discourse or Disinformation?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing conflicting presentations of scientific information about global warming in various drafts of government reports, video and opinion articles .
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: News Accuracy and CredibilityPlaylist: Climate Change
Playlist: English Language Arts
High School, College
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Discovering Ramadan
Students analyze a tweet, calendar, and book covers related to the celebration of Ramadan to discover unique traditions associated with the holy month and to contrast media forms.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School
15-30 Minutes
Dissent or Treason
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of antiwar movements during the Iraq War.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: The U.S. at War and Peace: American Revolution to the War in IraqUnit: Iraq War
Kit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Doing Family Time
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on the impact of imprisonment on prisoners and on the family members of prisoners.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Prison JusticeKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Drought & Farming: Thirsty Crops
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode web pages and graphs for messages about how agricultural demands for irrigation impact freshwater resources during times of drought.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Climate ChangeUnit: Climate Change & Water
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Drought Causes: Climate Change Impacts
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode web pages messages about the relationship between climate change and droughts.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Climate Change & WaterKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Educating Girls
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two short video clips for messages about the barriers to and benefits of girls' education.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
El Nino: Connections to Global Warming
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode videos for messages about patterns of ocean warming during an El Nino year and the subsequent impacts on worldwide weather.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Climate Change & WaterKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Election 2020 – The Facts are Clear but Who Do We Trust?
In this media literacy activity students analyze a collection of tweets from President Trump, a televised press conference statement by President-elect Joe Biden, a video opinion piece by Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson, a press release from the U.S. Government office for cyber-security and infrastructure security and an online fact checking webpage by the Annenberg Public Policy Center for messages about the 2020 Presidential election results and media credibility.
High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Environmental Injustice At Work
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short song excerpts to compare musical forms carrying messages about environmental justice in the workplace.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Environmental JusticeKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Environmental Justice – For Whom, How and Why?
In this media literacy activity students analyze videos for messages about impacts and potential remedies for environmental justice.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Ethanol: Pros and Cons
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode videos for messages about the benefits and costs of using corn-based ethanol as an energy source.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Energy SourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Exploring Economic Models for a Healthy Planet and a Just Society
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze three writings about sustainability and economy for conflicting perspectives on possible economic remedies to environmental destruction and economic inequality.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Economics & Social JusticeHigh School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Exploring Terms
Critical thinking lesson teaching key vocabulary and concepts about national, ethnic, religious and linguisitc identities within the Middle East.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Introducing the Middle EastKit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Exploring the Impact of Hydrofracking on Aquifers
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode diagrams for messages about how hydrofracking impacts freshwater resources.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Energy SourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Extreme Weather: Climate Change Connections & Water
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode webpages for messages about the relationship between climate change and extreme weather.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Climate Change & WaterKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Exxon Valdez, Oil and Water
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on the impacts of the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Resource DepletionMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Faces of COVID-19 – Artists as Activists
In this media literacy activity students analyze short videos about the human faces of COVID-19 for messages about how artists work to humanize the pandemic.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Fact Checkers: How Do They Decide?
In this media literacy activity students analyze fact checking websites for messages about their goals and processes for determining credibility.
High School, College
Individual, Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Fact Checkers: How Do They Decide?
In this media literacy activity students analyze fact checking websites for messages about their goals and processes for determining credibility.
High School, College
Individual, Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Fact or Fiction? A Snopes.com and Urban Legends Activity
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson introducing students to data collection through surveys and reflecting on why so many people believe in urban legends.
Middle School, High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members)
15-30 Minutes
Family Planning: Why it Matters
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze three short video clips for messages about the needs for and impacts of family planning.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Farming, Community, and Sustainability
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing the roles of community, farmers and farm labor in food system sustainability using visual imagery, film and song.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and AgricultureHigh School, College
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Fighting Back Against Religious Intolerance
In this media literacy activity students analyze videos for messages about how young people challenge religious intolerance.
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
First Contact: Who’s Telling the Story?
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two paintings about first contact between Native Americans and Spanish conquistadors for messages about historical context and point of view. .
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Food Crisis in Africa
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing brief videos about the food crisis from four African countries.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Global StudiesKit: Global Media Perspectives
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Food Security
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing videos and text excerpts as a means to understand the conditions required for food security, the causes of food insecurity and potential solutions leading to food security.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and AgricultureHigh School, College
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Food Waste: What’s the Problem? What’s the Solution?
In this media literacy activity students analyze videos for messages about the problems and potential solutions related to global food waste and climate change.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Football and Concussions: the NFL vs. Scientific Research
In this media literacy activity students analyze short video clips from an investigative documentary TV program, a feature film, and a congressional hearing for messages about the impact of football on brain disease to assess credibility in film representations of historic events.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Freedom Fighters or Terrorists?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson comparing media representations of Afghani fighters before and after the 9/11 attacks in two documentary films.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Militant Muslims and the U.S.Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Friend or Foe?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of antiwar movements during the Central American wars of the Reagan administration.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Global StudiesUnit: Central American Wars
Kit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Frogs and Atrazine
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short informational writing excerpts to consider opposing views on the possible relationship between frog popultion decline and the use of the herbicide atrazine.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Endangered SpeciesMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Fruit Juice vs Fruit Snacks and Fruit Drinks
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson teaching students to discriminate between real fruit and fruit snacks and between real juice and fruit drinks by decoding TV commercials
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill BuildingUnit: Kindergarten Lessons
Kit: Critical Thinking & Health: Nutrition and TV Commercials
Lower Elementary
Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
15-30 Minutes, 30-60 Minutes
GMOs: Bias and Credibility in Media Messages
Students analyze three web videos from corporate, academic and activist sources for messages about genetically modified organisms, techniques used to sway the viewer, and questions about credibility and one’s own confirmation biases.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Gay Affirmative or Gay Negative
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on intolerance toward LGBT people and forms of resistance to intolerance.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Gay LiberationKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Gender & Fear: “It’s a Scary Time" but for Whom?
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze excerpts from a press conference by President Trump, a YouTube song video and an Internet talk show for messages about which groups have cause to fear in the U.S.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Geoengineering: Can Techno Fixes Save Us From Climate Change?
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode two articles about geoengineering for credibility and for conflicting perspectives about its usefulness as a tool to combat climate change.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Global Perspectives Through Movie Posters
Students analyze pairs of movie posters advertising the same film for different national audiences for messages about cultural perspectives and design choices.
Middle School, High School
15-30 Minutes
Google Image Searches – Do They Promote or Counter Stereotypes?
In this media literacy activity students analyze image search screen shots for messages about how gender stereotypes are promoted or countered in Google searches.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
Green Revolution
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson exploring arguments for and against green revolution technology by reading excerpts from four articles about Norman Borlaug, founder of the Green Revolution.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Economics & Social JusticeKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and Agriculture
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Green Transportation: Electric Cars vs. Bicycles
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two short excerpts from online articles for messages about the economic and environmental benefits and costs of electric vehicles.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Greta Meets Malala: How Different Media Forms Present the News
In this media literacy activity students analyze media reports on the meeting between Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai. In addition to learning about the two young activists, students reflect on the qualities of different media forms including news and opinion articles, a tweet and posts on Instagram and Facebook.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Guiding Our Food Choices
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson considering how food choices impact personal, social and environmental health by analyzing web pages and diagrams.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and AgricultureHigh School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Habitat Destruction: The Idea of Progress
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a painting and a Facebook post for messages about the impact of habitat destruction on biodiversity.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: BiodiversityKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Halloween Costumes: When Does Fun Turn Into Hurt?
Students analyze a commercial and video analysis for messages about cultural appropriation in Halloween costumes and how identity impacts responses to media.
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Happy Mother’s Day: Storytelling in Advertising
In this media literacy activity students analyze two long form TV ads for messages about storytelling structure and mother and child relationships.
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Happy Valentine’s Day: What’s the message? What’s the purpose?
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two TV commercials and a public service announcement for messages about Valentine's Day, storytelling and target audience.
Upper Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Harriet Tubman Seizes Freedom – Many Stories
In this media literacy activity students analyze excerpts from children’s books for messages about Harriet Tubman, enslavement and the Underground Railroad.
Upper Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Health Care and Wal-Mart
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson comparing two short videos about Wal-Mart's healthcare policies.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Economics & Social JusticeKit: Economics in U.S. History: A Media Literacy Kit
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Healthy Food: Who’s Telling Me What I Should Eat?
This media literacy activity was created to integrate the teaching of English language instruction with media literacy for educators in Panama. In this media literacy activity students analyze media messages from Panamanian health & nutrition organizations for messages about good nutrition.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Heroes for Animal Protection
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing a book and video about songbird steward Rachel Carson and composing a social message about being an animal steward.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Animals (lower elementary)Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary
Lower Elementary
Individual, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Heroes for Plant Protection
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing a book and video about tree steward Wangari Maathai and composing a social message about being a plant steward.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: English Language ArtsUnit: Plants (lower elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary
Lower Elementary
Individual, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Heroes for Water Protection
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing a book and video about water steward Marion Stoddart and composing a social message about being a water steward.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Water (lower elementary)Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary
Lower Elementary
Individual, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
High Fructose Corn Syrup? Is There a Problem? Who Says?
Students analyze a commercial from the Corn Refiners Association, a blog post from an industry-supported group and an article from the Union of Concerned Scientists for messages about the health impacts of high fructose corn syrup, the spread of scientific misinformation and how funders influence media messages.
High School, College
Individual, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Hiroshima/Nagasaki Legacy
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using excerpts from four songs to reflect on the impact and meaning of the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: World War TwoKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Historical Monuments: Whose History? Whose Choice?
Students analyze excerpts from a public television series, a news report and a web video for messages about how historic monuments/statues have been reappraised in the Black Lives Matter era in the U.S., Australia, and Latin America.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
History of Resource Depletion
Media literacy and critical thinking unit using diverse media imagery to teach about how resource depletion has been perceived by people in the U.S. and how the media has constructed that public perception. Focus topics include water, forests, oil and consumption.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Resource DepletionMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
How Do I Choose? Picking the Right Book for Me
Students analyze book covers and pages from various children’s books to determine personal preferences in reading for a variety of purposes.
Lower Elementary
15-30 Minutes
How Do We Decide How Much To Eat And Drink?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing web pages and food diagrams to discern messages about food servings.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Food ChoicesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
How Do We Decide What to Eat and Drink?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing web pages for messages about how food choices impact personal health.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Food ChoicesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
How Does the World Look? Questioning Maps
Students analyze different world map projections to identify point of view or bias in maps.
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
How False Statistics Spread in the Digital World
In this media literacy activity students analyze a newspaper headline and photo, a tweet, an academic journal and a university survey for messages about the spread of false information via different media sources.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
How Much Does College Cost?
Students analyze graphs reporting statistics on the cost of college from different sources, applying mathematical, economic and media literacy frameworks.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
How Much Fruit is in this Drink? How Can You Tell?
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode juice containers for messages about health and nutrition.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
15-30 Minutes
How Much Water Did it Take to Grow That?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing web pages and bar graphs to discern messages about the impact of agriculture on freshwater availability.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill BuildingUnit: Water (upper elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
How Women Got the Vote: Different Authors, Different Stories
In this media literacy activity students analyze excerpts from two children’s history books for messages about the fight for women’s right to vote.
Upper Elementary
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Human Rights in Panama: What’s the Story?
This media literacy activity was created to integrate the teaching of English language instruction with media literacy for educators in Panama. In this media literacy activity students analyze news reports and social media for messages about human rights in Panama.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Human/Animal Relations
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on messages about human and animal relations.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Endangered SpeciesMiddle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Huracán María: El Impacto de la Inmigración Puertorriqueña en Florida
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity for Spanish language classes in which students analyze three short excerpts of online newspaper articles about the economic impacts on Florida resulting from the influx of Puerto Rican climate refugees following Hurricane Maria. The student handouts are in Spanish language only, while the Teacher Guide is provided in both English and Spanish.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Hydrofracking Pros & Cons: Arguing the Case
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode videos for messages about how hydrofracking impacts the biosphere.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Energy SourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Hydrofracking, Media, and Credibility
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing the credibility of messages about hydrofracking as presented in video clips, diagrams and online searches.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: News Accuracy and CredibilityKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Fingerlakes
High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Hydropower Dams: To Build or to Dismantle?
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode videos for messages about claims related to hydropower dam building or removal.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Energy SourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Hydropower: Benefits and Costs
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode webpages for messages about how human use of natural resources for energy affects the biosphere.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Energy SourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
I Want to Protect These Animals
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing postcards about different classes of animals, reflecting on cyber safety in online research and creating postcards of animals students would like to protect.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Animals (lower elementary)Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary
Lower Elementary
Individual, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
I Want to Protect These Plants
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing postcards about plant needs for water, sunlight and pollinators, reflecting on cyber safety in online research and creating postcards of plants students would like to protect.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Plants (lower elementary)Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary
Lower Elementary
Individual, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
I Want to Protect This Body of Water
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing postcards about bodies of water, reflecting on cyber safety in online research and creating postcards of water bodies students would like to protect.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Water (lower elementary)Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary
Lower Elementary
Individual, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Identity and Satire
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to review representations in popular culture of women's identity in the context of the women's liberation movement.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Women's LiberationKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Immigrant Realities
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using excerpts from four songs to reflect on songwriter messages about the challenges that immigrants face.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Immigrant RightsKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Imperialism and the Panama Canal
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing bias in two documentary films about the Panama Canal.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: The U.S. at War and Peace: American Revolution to the War in IraqPlaylist: Global Studies
Kit: Economics in U.S. History: A Media Literacy Kit
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
In Case of Nuclear War
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to review perspectives on the impact of nuclear war.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: The Cold WarKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Incan Religion – What Sources Should I Use?
In this media literacy activity students analyze excerpts from different media documents – a young adult fiction book, a Wikipedia article, a Twinkl education page, a magazine article, a tourism webpage, a documentary film and an animated children’s film – to assess the credibility and usefulness of each source for research on Incan religion.
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
India's Rise in the Global Economy
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing messages about India's economy in magazine covers and newspaper front pages.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Global Media PerspectivesHigh School, College
Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Indigenous Media Making: Affirming Identity
Students analyze short videos from TikTok, a feature film, a video game, Hip-Hop video, and a documentary film for messages related to Indigenous identity and cultural pride.
Middle School, High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Indigenous Representations of Cultural Pride and Resilience
Students analyze videos produced by Native Americans (Inuit, Haudenosaunee, Hopi and Hawaiian) for messages about the contributions and resilience of Indigenous nations and peoples.
Middle School, High School, College
30-60 Minutes
International Climate Agreements: How the Decisions of Government Officials Can Potentially Impact Climate Change
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two op-eds for conflicting perspectives on the impacts of the Trump adminstration's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accords..
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Internet Messages About Toys: What’s the Purpose?
In this media literacy activity, students analyze a toy commercial, an educational video and a clip from an animated film for messages about the purpose of media messages.
Lower Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Interrelationships: Human & Buffalo
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode videos for messages about the interdependent relationships between people and buffalo.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: BiodiversityKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Introduction to Capitalism
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing two brief videos with contrasting perspectives about capitalism and free markets.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Economics in U.S. History: A Media Literacy KitMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Invasive Species: How Do We Stop an Invasion?
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a poster and a webpage for messages about the impact of introducing invasive species into an ecosystem.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: BiodiversityKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Is There a Future in Oil?
This is a media literacy activity in which students analyze two video clips with the following question in mind: Is there a future in oil? One of the videos features a speaker representing the American Petroleum Institute who highlights the economic benefits of increasing oil and gas production while the other video clip features speakers from the Rockefeller Brothers Funds and 350.org who present the economic and environmental reasons to divest from fossil fuels and support renewable energy sources.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Is This Cereal Healthy? How Can You Find Out?
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode cereal box advertisements for messages about health and nutrition.
Upper Elementary
15-30 Minutes
Islam and Cultural Identity in Europe
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing four brief videos with contrasting perspectives about the experience of Muslim women wearing headscarves in Europe
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Global StudiesKit: Global Media Perspectives
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Islam in Brief
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing bias and objectivity in encyclopedia articles about Islam.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: English Language ArtsUnit: Militant Muslims and the U.S.
Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Individual, Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Islamic Majorities and Minorities
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing media messages about Muslims in web pages and magazine covers from the Philippines and Indonesia.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Global Media PerspectivesHigh School, College
Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Judy Heumann: Disability Activism in Video
Students analyze short video clips from different video genres for messages about how Judy Heumann pushed for civil rights for people with disabilities.
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Lemmings: Documentary Film Clip Decoding
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson reflecting on the influence of the media on people's beliefs about science and teaching ways to check the validity of questionable claims.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Let Us Tell You About the Animals Where We Live
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing various media documents focused on messages about human impacts on animals and creating a simple video production based on impacts to animals where you live and action ideas to protect them.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill BuildingUnit: Animals (lower elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary
Lower Elementary
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Let Us Tell You About the Bodies of Water Where We Live
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing book covers for messages about water-centered disasters related to oil spills, drought and hurricanes and creating a simple video production based on impacts to your region's water bodies and action ideas to protect them.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Water (lower elementary)Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary
Lower Elementary
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Let Us Tell You About the Plants Where We Live
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing book covers focused on different messages about human impacts on plants and creating a simple video production based on impacts to plants and action ideas to protect them.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Plants (lower elementary)Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary
Lower Elementary
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Life on the Inside
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using excerpts from four songs to reflect on messages about prison life and survival within prison.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Prison JusticeKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Living Wage
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson comparing two opinion pieces about Living Wage laws.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Economics & Social JusticeKit: Economics in U.S. History: A Media Literacy Kit
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Logging - What About Biodiversity?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing videos & childrens books to discern messages about the impacts of logging on biodiversity.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: English Language ArtsUnit: Natural Resources
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Louis XIV & Absolute Monarchy: Media Messages from the Time
Students analyze media documents from the era of Louis XIV - an oil painting, a royal medal, an excerpt from John Locke’s “Treatise on Government” and an excerpt from a French travel memoir - for messages about absolute monarchy, media forms and historical context.
High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Making Friends with the Enemy
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short song excerpts to reflect on the impact of war on the Nicaraguan people.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Central American WarsKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Making Videos about Sustainability Efforts
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson in which students collaboratively design a short video message about a sustainability effort.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Documenting Sustainability StoriesUnit: Production
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Mapping Ancient Civilizations: Who’s Included and Who’s Not?
In this media literacy activity students analyze the bias and techniques used in maps of ancient civilizations.
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Mapping the Border: Who Decides?
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze different maps of the U.S. Mexico border region for messages about how mapmakers use images and words to convey messages.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Marketing OxyContin: Profits, Lives and Disinformation
Media documents are excerpts from a company memo from Purdue Pharma, an investigative reporting video, an online article and two government reports related to the marketing of OxyContin. Students analyze messages about the role of industry in fueling the opioid epidemic and the credibility of the media documents.
High School, College
Individual, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Mass Shootings: Tracking the Numbers
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a blog post, a fact checking website and an article in a national magazine for messages about sourcing and credibility.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
May 14 1948: Independence or Catastrophe?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing two conflicting accounts of the meaning of the founding of the state of Israel.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Israel/Palestine: Histories in ConflictKit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Individual, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Meat or Veggies? The Impact of Diet on Climate
In this media literacy activity students analyze a documentary film and a television news report for messages about how plant-based and meat-based diets impact climate change.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Media Bias Charts: Who’s Rating What?
In this media literacy activity students analyze 4 charts on the political bias of different news sources with background information on the authors and methodology for each chart, to reflect on credibility, political bias in the media, the student’s own confirmation biases, and extremist views on the Internet.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Media Coverage of the Gulf War
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing bias in documentary video and teaching about the U.S. government's role in influencing media coverage of the Gulf War.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: War in Iraq: Whose Voice, Whose Story?Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Media Representations of Working Class Men: Different Eras, Different Understandings
In this media literacy activity students analyze a portion of a mural from the 1930s and a clip from “The Simpsons” TV show from the 1990s for messages about media representation of working class men.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Media, Politics and the Supreme Court
In this media literacy activity students analyze newspaper articles about the Supreme Court confirmation process for Ruth Bader Ginsburg in 1993 and for Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 for messages about how political decisions influencing Supreme Court confirmation processes have changed with different historical contexts.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of the environmental justice movement beginning in the late 20th century.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Environmental JusticeKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Migrants Wait in Mexico – Whose Problems Do We See?
In this media literacy activity students analyze Spanish language news articles from Mexican newspapers for messages about migrants seeking asylum in the U.S.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Miles Davis: Inspiration to a Masterpiece
In this media literacy activity students analyze video clips from a feature film and a documentary film for messages about musical inspiration and collaborative creativity.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Misinformation About COVID-19: How to Figure It out
In this media literacy activity students analyze videos for messages about what to do about misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Money is Not the Same Everywhere: Techniques of Communication
This media literacy activity was created to integrate the teaching of English language instruction with media literacy for educators in Panama. In this media literacy activity students analyze currencies from Panama and the United States for messages about techniques of construction and historical context.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
More Commercials & Their Tricks
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson will teach the purpose of a commercial and wording tricks advertisers use to sell their products
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: First Grade LessonsKit: Critical Thinking & Health: Nutrition and TV Commercials
Lower Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Naming Oppression
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short song excerpts to reflect on messages about women's resistance to oppression.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Women's LiberationKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
National Geographic’s Africa
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze title pages from articles about Africa in National Geographic magazine from the 1990s for messages about stereotyping.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Natural Gas: Water & Climate Impacts
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode an advertisement and a web page for messages about how natural gas extraction impacts fresh water resources.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Climate Change & WaterKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Natural Resources - How Do we Use Them?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing book and magazine covers to discern messages about how the use of natural resources for energy affects the environment.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Natural ResourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Individual, Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
No More Kings
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson to assess students' understanding of key events in the American Revolution.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: The U.S. at War and Peace: American Revolution to the War in IraqKit: Causes of the American Revolution
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Nombres: Creative Naming to Sell Ideas and Products
In this media literacy activity students analyze television commercials and products targeted at the Hispanic community for messages about diverse media forms, consumerism and cultural identity.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Northern Rockies Gray Wolf
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short informational writing excerpts to reflect on the removal of the gray wolf from the endangered species list.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Endangered SpeciesMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Nuclear Blues
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short song excerpts to reflect on the meaning of the dawn of the nuclear age.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: The Cold WarKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Nuclear Reactor Safety
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on nuclear reactor safety in light of the accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Chemicals in the EnvironmentMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Nuclear: Benefits and Costs
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode webpages for messages about how human use of natural resources for energy affects the biosphere.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Energy SourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Oil Palm Plantations: Effects on Tropical Rainforests
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a TV commercial and a documentary film excerpt for messages about the benefits and costs of transforming a tropical rainforest into an oil palm plantation to supply the global market.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: BiodiversityKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Oil Pipelines: Indigenous Water Rights & Safe Energy Transport
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze an article and a web page for conflicting perspectives on the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline near Standing Rock native land.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Oil Spills: What's the Problem?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing newspaper headlines, web pages and videos to discern messages about how oil spills impact human and natural populations.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Natural ResourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Individual, Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Oil: Benefits and Costs
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a book cover and report cover for messages about how human use of natural resources for energy affects the biosphere.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Energy SourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Online Scams– Will You Fall for It?
This media literacy activity was created to integrate the teaching of English language instruction with media literacy for educators in Panama. In this media literacy activity students analyze web notices to identify different types of online scams.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Onondaga Lake
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing the stewardship interests for Onondaga Lake as regards economic development, cultural preservation and human and ecosystem health.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: English Language ArtsKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Fingerlakes
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Palm Oil: To Buy or Not to Buy?
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze a commercial, a public service announcement and a short animation for conflicting perspectives on the impact of palm oil production
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Panamanian Family Values – According to Whom?
This media literacy activity was created to integrate the teaching of English language instruction with media literacy for educators in Panama. In this media literacy activity students analyze images and text in webpages for messages about family values in Panama and about the source, purpose and credibility of websites.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Panamanian Fauna: Who’s Telling the Story and Why?
This media literacy activity was created to integrate the teaching of English language instruction with media literacy for educators in Panama. In this media literacy activity students analyze videos about Panama’s native animals for messages about species conservation and the source and purpose of each video.
Middle School, High School
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Panama’s Ethnic Groups- Who Tells Their Story?
This media literacy activity was created to integrate the teaching of English language instruction with media literacy for educators in Panama. In this media literacy activity students analyze websites for messages about Panama’s Indigenous people and about how to judge the credibility of media messages.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Peace is the Way
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about antiwar movements during the Vietnam War period.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Vietnam WarKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Perspectives on Labor and Management
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing five short film clips for messages on labor and capital.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Economics in U.S. History: A Media Literacy KitMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Phillis Wheatley's Poem
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing a poem about freedom and slavery during the American Revolution.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: English Language ArtsKit: Causes of the American Revolution
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Picturing the Middle East
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson introducing the concept of stereotypes by asking students to decide whether photos are from the Middle East.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Introducing the Middle EastKit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Polarized America: Political Conventions 2020
In this media literacy activity students analyze montages of clips from the 2020 Democratic and Republican conventions for messages about target audience and polarization of the electorate.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Political Memes and Bias: What Resonates, What’s True and What Do We Share?
Students analyze political memes about Trump and Biden to think about their purpose and target audience, how to determine their accuracy/credibility, and to reflect on their own biases and critical thinking.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Polling on Structural Racism: What Do Different People Believe?
In this media literacy activity students analyze charts and graphs showing polling data on how different groups view structural racism in the United States.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Pollution: Industrial Restoration or Destruction
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode an advertisement and a webpage for messages about the impact of the impact of industrial pollution on ecosystem relationships.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: BiodiversityKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Portraits of War
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on military service during World War One.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: World War OneKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Practicing Respect on Public Transportation
In this media literacy activity students analyze short video clips for messages about respect on public transportation.
Middle School, High School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Presidential Photo-Op and Political Protest: Who’s Telling the Story?
In this media literacy activity students analyze and compare a short video produced by the White House and a longer news report by MSNBC on President Trump’s photo-op in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church on June 1, 2020 during nationwide protests against police brutality and racism.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Presidents and Propaganda?
This activity asks students to reflect on the definitions of propaganda and fascist propaganda as they analyze two short videos: a pro-Obama music video produced by musician will.i.am in 2008 and a pro-Trump video shown at the Ellipse in Washington DC shortly before the Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Pride in Our Hispanic Heritage: Countering Stereotypes
In this media literacy activity students analyze advertisements targeted at the Latino/a community for messages about cultural identity, consumerism and stereotyping,
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Pronouns & Gender Identity: Who Gets to Choose?
In this media literacy activity students analyze videos for messages about gender pronouns and identity choices.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Protecting Our Water Resources Assessment
Media literacy and critical thinking assessment analyzing messages in videos and writing a report on the protection of water resources.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Water (upper elementary)Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Individual
30-60 Minutes
Puzzle Wall Map
A map of Africa with a numbered grid covering the continent.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Introducing Africa: Critical Thinking and Media LiteracyUpper Elementary
Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members)
15-30 Minutes, 30-60 Minutes
Race and Perspective: Contrasting the Police Response to the Capitol Insurrection and Black Lives Matter Protests in TV and Print
In this media literacy activity students compare two opinion pieces, a TV news commentary and a print article, about the police response to Black Lives Matter protests and to the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021 for messages about media construction and how our identity influences our views.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Rachel Carson (Print Documents Lesson)
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short informational writing excerpts to reflect on the media representation of Rachel Carson's legacy.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Chemicals in the EnvironmentMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Rachel Carson (Video Clips Lesson)
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on conflicting views on Rachel Carson's place in history.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Chemicals in the EnvironmentMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Rachel Carson: Who Controls Nature?
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode videos for messages about the impact of DDT on the ecosystem.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: BiodiversityKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Rainforest Biodiversity
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on the impacts to rainforest biodiversity by monoculture plantations.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Endangered SpeciesMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Rapping the Revolution: Music and Social Change in Iran
Students analyze excerpts from five short Iranian music videos for messages about the causes of the protests in Iran in 2022 and the role of music in revolution.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Raptors in the Media
Students analyze a book cover, a magazine cover, a tweet, a poster, a website and a YouTube screen shot for messages about media forms, osprey, eagles and condors and environmental concerns.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
15-30 Minutes
Rating Media Credibility – Who’s Behind the Curtain?
In this media literacy activity students analyze websites for messages about how funders and advisors influence bias.
High School, College
Individual, Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Real Bugs TV Commercial Decoding
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson reflecting on stereotyping by analyzing a TV comercial.
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
Recycling: What’s the Problem?
Students analyze a commercial and clips from documentaries for messages about recycling, its attraction to consumers and industry and its limitations.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Reforestation: Carbon Sequestration
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two short excerpts from the documentary films "Green Gold" and "The Salt of the Earth" for different representations of reforestation as a means to sequester carbon and restore degraded ecosystems.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Refrigeration Management: A Global Solution to Reverse Global Warming
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode three videos for the impact of refrigeration gases on climate change.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Regulating Social Media: How About It?
Students analyze five short video clips for different messages about the regulation of social media.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Remember the Alamo
Students analyze feature film, educational video and TV news clips for the reasons behind the1836 Battle of the Alamo, the credibility of media messages, and how cultural and historical context shapes how history is presented and viewed.
Middle School, High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Remembering the American Revolution
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing John Adams' ideas about defining what the revolution was.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Causes of the American RevolutionUpper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Removing Plastic from the Ocean: From Trash to Art
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two short videos about artistic repurposing of plastic trash for messages about artistic expression of human impacts to the environment.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill BuildingLower Elementary, Upper Elementary
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Renewable Energy Sources - Who's Running the Numbers?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing written text, web pages and bar graphs to discern messages about renewable energy use.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Natural ResourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Representations of Asian People in the Media
In this media literacy activity students analyze video clips for messages about media stereotypes and cultural respect of people of Asian descent.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Representations of Enslavement in South Carolina – Context is Everything
In this media literacy activity students analyze primary and secondary texts from the 19th, 20th & 21st century for messages about African slavery in South Carolina.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Responding to Global Problems: Analyzing Keys to Success and Recipes for Failure
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two short excerpts from internet video talks for conflicting perspectives on the potential for large- or small-scale remedies to solve global-level problems.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Rising Sea Refugees
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze short excerpts from two documentary films for different representations on the impacts of rising seas on human populations.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Rosie the Riveter: Depiction of Women During WWII
Students will compare three illustrations depicting Rosie the Riveter, from 1943 and 2017 to analyze gender messages and historical context.
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Same Land- Different Histories
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing three textbook excerpts about the history of Israel/Palestine.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Israel/Palestine: Histories in ConflictKit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Individual, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Science or Fiction – Does Carrying an Umbrella in a Thunderstorm Make You More Likely to be Hit by Lightning?
Students analyze a cartoon and a weather channel video for messages about whether carrying an umbrella is potentially hazardous and about credibility in Internet videos.
Upper Elementary
15-30 Minutes
Scientific Consensus: Global Warming Is Real and It's Caused by Us
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two web articles from Skeptical Science and NASA for different approaches to reporting on the scientific consensus on human-induced climate change.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Sculptures of Dr. King: Reading the Messages
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze four sculptures for messages about Dr. King's life and legacy.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Sea Level Rise: Climate Change Impacts
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode videos for messages about conflicting data on the contribution of polar melting to sea level rise.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Climate ChangeUnit: Climate Change & Water
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Seeing Body Image Through Instagram Filters
in this media literacy activity students analyze a residential treatment center blog post, an opinion piece in college newspaper and an international newspaper story for messages about the impact of Instagram filters on social media users.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Selling Masculinity: What Kind Would You Like?
In this media literacy activity students analyze two television commercials from the same company for conflicting messages about masculinity.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Sexual Harassment: Time’s Changing Coverage
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two covers of Time magazine from different years for different historical and cultural messages about sexual harassment.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Should the Government Support Gun Research?
In this media literacy activity students analyze short text documents from a scientific research paper abstract from the New England Journal of Medicine, a news story from the National Rifle Association, a magazine article from Smithsonian and an op-ed from the National Review for messages about scientific gun research, credibility, sourcing and their own biases.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Singing the Struggle
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson exploring political and cultural perspectives in Israel and Palestine by listening to excerpts from four songs.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Israel/Palestine: Histories in ConflictKit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Individual, Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Slavery in the 21st Century: What Can We Do?
In this media literacy activity students analyze videos about modern day slave trafficking for messages about causes and solutions.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Small Groups of Committed People
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of antiwar movements during the Cold War period.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: The Cold WarKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Social Media Goes Viral: Fact Checking Messages About COVID-19
In this media literacy activity students analyze a text message, a Facebook post, a webpage from a fact checking organization and a tweet from the World Health Organization for messages about credibility of Internet information about precautionary health measures for COVID-19.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Social Media and Elections: What’s the Connection?
In this media literacy activity students analyze online charts and text for messages about the impact of social media on U.S. elections and political discourse.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Solar: Benefits and Costs
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a webpage and a magazine cover for messages about how human use of natural resources for energy affects the biosphere.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Energy SourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Species Preservation: Seeking Solutions
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode videos for messages about how people take action to address local and global problems related to the loss of biodiversity.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: BiodiversityKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Sports and Protest: Media and Civil Discourse
Students analyze a news report, an advocacy video and a twitter thread for messages about media bias, civil discourse and the role of athletes in social protest.
High School, College
30-60 Minutes
Spotting Fake News: How to Help
In this media literacy activity students analyze three videos for messages about how and why students should recognize and respond to fake news stories.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Squanto and the First Thanksgiving: Whose Story?
In this media literacy activity students analyze excerpts from children’s books for differing perspectives and messages about the history of Squanto’s role in the first thanksgiving feast.
Upper Elementary
Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Stalin
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using posters to teach about the Soviet Union under the leadership of Joseph Stalin.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: StalinKit: Soviet History Through Posters: A Visual Literacy Kit
High School, College
Whole Class
Standing Rock Dakota Pipeline Controversy
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze an op-ed and a web page for conflicting perspectives on the impacts of the Dakota Access pipeline..
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Stereotyping Arabs and Muslims
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing stereotypes and counter-stereotypes of Arabs and Muslims in four brief clips from popular media sources.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Militant Muslims and the U.S.Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Student Media Research Project on Sustainability
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson in which students will complete and present a quantitative research project on media representation of sustainability.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: English Language ArtsKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and Agriculture
High School
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Suffragists on Film
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to teach about tactics used by suffragists toward achieving the vote.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Women's SuffrageKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Sustainability Stories: Identifying Good Stories (Middle School)
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing videos to discern messages about how videos can tell stories to inform and engage the public about sustainability issues and initiatives.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: English Language ArtsUnit: Documenting Sustainability Stories
Unit: Video Production (Middle School)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Sustainability Videos: Start to Finish
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson in which students collaboratively design a short video message about a sustainability effort.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Video Production (Middle School)Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Sustainability and Media: Introducing Content Analysis
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson introducing the differences between qualitative and quantitative research by decoding messages about sustainability in magazine covers.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and AgricultureHigh School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Sustainable Cultures
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson about sustainable agricultural practices among traditional land-based cultures by analyzing web pages and videos.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and AgricultureHigh School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Sustainable Economics
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing the relationship of economics to the sustainability of food systems by reading the work of authors presented in five periodicals.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and Agriculture
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Sustainable Food Security Systems
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing models for food security through the lenses of access, culture, employment, environment, health, ownership, scale and worker safety.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Economics & Social JusticeKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Fingerlakes
High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
TV Totalitarianism
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing how Saddam Hussein used a music video to convey messages about his role as supreme leader.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: War in Iraq: Whose Voice, Whose Story?Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Tarred and Feathered
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson about the impact of the Stamp Act on the American colonists.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Causes of the American RevolutionUpper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Teaching About Climate Change: Why Does the Source Matter?
This is a media literacy activity in which students analyze two letters for the National Science Teachers Association and the Heartland Institute for conflicting perspectives about how to teach about global climate change.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Teaching the Enslavement of African People in the Americas
In this media literacy activity students analyze an executive summary from a research report, an opinion piece in a newspaper and a post in an online community site for messages about how and why we teach about the history of slavery.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Techniques of Persuasion: Smoking, Vaping and Health
In this media literacy activity students analyze commercials and PSAs related to smoking and vaping for messages about purpose, technique and target audience.
Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Thanksgiving: Who’s Telling the Story?
In this media literacy activity students analyze short videos for messages about the meanings and impacts of the stories surrounding Thanksgiving.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
The Challenge of Change
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing a passage from Dr. King's book, "Where Do We Go From Here" and letters to the editor on naming a local street for Dr King.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Martin Luther King, Jr.Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
The Cold War
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using posters to teach about Soviet perspectives on the Cold War.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: The Cold War (Soviet Posters)Kit: Soviet History Through Posters: A Visual Literacy Kit
High School, College
Whole Class
The Consequences of Global Warming
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing news articles about the impact of global warming on hurricanes, diseases, agriculture, sea level rise, severe weather, freshwater and biodiversity.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Climate ChangeHigh School, College
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
The Death of Kobe Bryant: How Viral Media Spreads Misinformation
In this media literacy activity students analyze screen grabs from a YouTube page, a Facebook post, a network news video page and online headlines, photos and captions for messages about credibility of Internet news reporting.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
The End of the USSR
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using posters to teach about the fall of the Soviet Union.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Global StudiesUnit: The End of the USSR
Kit: Soviet History Through Posters: A Visual Literacy Kit
High School, College
Whole Class
The Face of Cereal: Using Cartoon Characters to Persuade Children
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode cereal packages for messages about health and advertising.
Lower Elementary
15-30 Minutes
The Food Groups
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using the food pyramid to introduce the concept of food groups.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Kindergarten LessonsKit: Critical Thinking & Health: Nutrition and TV Commercials
Lower Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
The Food Groups (First Grade)
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using the food pyramid to introduce the health benefits of eating from all food groups.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: First Grade LessonsKit: Critical Thinking & Health: Nutrition and TV Commercials
Lower Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
The Great Patriotic War
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using posters to teach about the Soviet Union during World War Two.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: The Great Patriotic WarKit: Soviet History Through Posters: A Visual Literacy Kit
High School, College
Whole Class
The Gulf War
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using Newsweek magazine covers to teach the history of the Gulf War.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of War: A Critical Reading of HistoryHigh School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
The Jessica Lynch Rescue: News, Propaganda or Entertainment
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson contrasting four media representations of a news story.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: War in Iraq: Whose Voice, Whose Story?Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
The Magic of Stereotypes
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing stereotypes about Arabs by viewing an excerpt from the film, Aladdin.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Global StudiesUnit: Introducing the Middle East
Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
The Physics of Star Wars: Can the Millennium Falcon Make Light Speed?
In this media literacy activity students analyze web videos exploring the science of Star Wars movies for messages about what it would take for humans to travel at the speed of light.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
The Politics of Maps
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson exploring bias in the representation of the historical geography of Israel/Palestine through analysis of 12 maps from diverse sources.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Israel/Palestine: Histories in ConflictKit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
The Precautionary Principle
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing potential costs and consequences of different responses to climate change by comparing brief text selections from four authors.
High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
The Public Trust - Doctrine Government's Role in Protecting Natural Resources for the Future
This is a media literacy activity in which students analyze two video clips for different techniques in portraying messages about young people who are suing the government to demand that it protect future generations from the impacts of global climate change.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
The Rebels
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson about Loyalist perspectives during the American Revolution.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Causes of the American RevolutionUpper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
The Roots of Democracy in the United States: Iroquois or Athens?
In this media literacy activity students analyze two videos for messages about the roots of U.S. democracy with the Native American Iroquois confederacy and historic Athenian democracy as points of reference.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
The Spanish Conquest of Mexico: Whose Story?
In this media literacy activity students analyze excerpts from two films for conflicting messages about the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
The U.S. Exits Afghanistan: Lessons from the Newspaper Front Pages
Students analyze newspaper front pages from August 2021 for messages about media representation of the U.S. exit from Afghanistan.
Middle School, High School
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
The Urgency of Climate Action
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze videos by Desmond Tutu and Al Gore for conflicting perspectives on the urgent need to take action to respond to climate change.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
The Value of Trees
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson reflecting on the free market's role in the 19th century lumber harvest by interpreting maps and comparing texts from John Muir and John J Audubon .
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Economics in U.S. History: A Media Literacy KitMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
The Value of Water
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson about threats to and protection measures for water supplies and values related to stewardship of water resources explored by decoding book covers and tables of contents.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and AgricultureMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
The Vietnam War
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using Newsweek magazine covers to teach the history of the Vietnam War.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: The U.S. at War and Peace: American Revolution to the War in IraqKit: Media Constructions of War: A Critical Reading of History
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
The War in Afghanistan
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using Newsweek magazine covers to teach the history of the war in Afghanistan.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: The U.S. at War and Peace: American Revolution to the War in IraqKit: Media Constructions of War: A Critical Reading of History
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Three Speeches
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing three of Dr. King's speeches for content, literary devices and presentation form.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: English Language ArtsKit: Media Constructions of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Throwaway Culture: To Buy or to Reuse?
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode web videos and commercials for messages about buying disposable products vs. reusing and reducing waste.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill BuildingUpper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Tidal Waves & Tsunamis in Film: Fact & Fiction
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two short excerpts from a National Geographic video and a TV miniseries to examine credibility of information on the causes and impacts of tsunamis.
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Time Magazine’s Person of the Year – How Selections Change Over Time
In this media literacy activity students compare Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” covers from 1965-1969 and 2015-2019 for messages about historical context in judgments of who is important across a half century.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
To Inspire- To Breathe Into
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on what inspires people to move from affinity to action.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Peace IntroductionKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
To Kill or Not To Kill
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on military service during World War Two.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: World War TwoKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
To Smoke or Not to Smoke?: Advertising & Persuasion
This media literacy activity was created to integrate the teaching of English language instruction with media literacy for educators in Panama. In this media literacy activity students analyze a poster from the 1970s and a webpage and product packaging from the 2010s for messages about smoking.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
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.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Central American WarsKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Toy Commercials & Their Tricks
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson will teach the purpose of a commercial and editing tricks advertisers use to sell their products
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill BuildingUnit: First Grade Lessons
Kit: Critical Thinking & Health: Nutrition and TV Commercials
Lower Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Tracking Lies: Determining the Credibility of Internet Information
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a tweet, a blog post and a factchecking webpage for credibility of Internet information.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Traditional and Industrial Farming
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing examples of corn and dairy farming to understand the diverse philosophies, tools and practices that distinguish traditional and industrial farming.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: FingerlakesHigh School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Transition to Renewable Energy Now
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two short excerpts from a documentary film for the impacts of solar energy technologies on urban China and rural Zambia.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Transitioning to a Sustainable Future
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson in which students will analyze models for sustainability through the lenses of social justice, climate change, fossil fuel depletion and economic systems and thereafter define and articulate their views on transitioning to a sustainable future.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Climate ChangeKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and Agriculture
High School, College
Individual, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Trophy Hunting: Conservation or Destruction?
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a poster and a webpage for messages about the impact of trophy hunting on animal species.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: BiodiversityKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Trusting Web Videos on COVID-19 (Or Not)
In this media literacy activity students analyze for credibility four video clips of people giving prevention advice during the Covid-19 crisis: President Donald Trump, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a New York City primary care doctor during an online family information session, and a naturopathic doctor during a televangelist TV program. These were all posted online in March of 2020.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Twister: A Film Decoding Activity
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson reflecting on the concept of target audiences, and how messages can be crafted for a specific audience through visuals, language and sound.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Twitter and Lies: How They Snowball
In this media literacy activity students analyze an excerpt from a research study published in a scientific journal and a news article about the study in an online magazine for messages about the spread of lies on Twitter and the differences in writing for different target audiences.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Two Views of an Insurrection: January 6, 2021
In this media literacy activity students analyze the choices made in constructing two news reports on the January 6, 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol and how we interpret the bias of each.
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Ukraine’s Holodomor – Famine or Stalinist Genocide?
In this lesson students read a brief history of the 1930’s famine in Ukraine that was caused by Joseph Stalin’s policy of forced collectivization and analyze posters produced by Stalin’s government and by Michael Gorbachev’s government for messages about Stalinism and the Holodomor.
High School, College
15-30 Minutes
Understanding TV Commercials
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson will teach the purpose of a commercial and some tricks advertisers use to sell their products
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: First Grade LessonsKit: Critical Thinking & Health: Nutrition and TV Commercials
Lower Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Understanding Teen Media Use: Different Research Techniques
In this media literacy activity students analyze three articles about different approaches to social science research through polling data analysis, a longitudinal study and a literature review. Students explore the techniques used for data gathering and discuss the impacts of social media use on adolescents.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Unearthing Stereotypes
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson introducing the concept of stereotypes by asking students to decide whether photos are from Africa
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill BuildingPlaylist: Global Studies
Kit: Introducing Africa: Critical Thinking and Media Literacy
Upper Elementary
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Unions and Race
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on racial inclusion and exclusion in the labor union movement between 1910-1920.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Economics & Social JusticeUnit: Early Labor Movement
Kit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Vaccinations – What Role Does Social Media Play in Informing the Public?
In this media literacy activity students analyze an article from an anti-vaccination Facebook page, a public radio podcast and an international newspaper for messages about the role of social media in promoting public health as regards vaccines and immunization.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Vaccine Nationalism and Global Equity: Who Gets the Shots When?
In this media literacy activity students analyze short videos for messages about the ethics of global vaccine access.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Valuing Water: Different Perspectives
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a book covers and tables of content for messages about human impacts on freshwater resources.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Climate Change & WaterKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Voices Role-Play
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson in which students will study and communicate in a role play debate the perspective of a sustainability advocate and then articulate their own opinions about the topic.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: English Language ArtsKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and Agriculture
High School
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Volcanoes: Can We Protect Cities from Lava Flows?
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze a National Public Radio report and a clip from a 1940s era Superman animated cartoon for messages about engineering solutions to protect cities from volcanic lava flows.
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
War Crimes at Abu Ghraib- Showing Photos?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson asking students to reflect on the viewing and publication of photographs of war crimes.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: War in Iraq: Whose Voice, Whose Story?Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
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.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Wars of Manifest Destiny: Indian, Mexican and Spanish American WarsKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
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.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: World War OneKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Watershed Stakeholders
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson in which students analyze maps, videos and informational text to reflect on stakeholder interests in maintaining watersheds.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: FingerlakesHigh School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes
Watersheds: Stewardship & Climate Change
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode web pages messages about which strategies might be most useful to deal with climate change impacts on human communities.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Climate Change & WaterKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
We Will Be Heard
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using excerpts from songs about women's suffrage to analyze the use of stereotyping in songwriting.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Women's SuffrageKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
What About Bottled Water?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing videos and TV commercials to discern messages about decisions to purchase or not purchase bottled water.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Water (upper elementary)Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
What About Hunger?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing videos to discern messages about possible strategies to address the problem of hunger.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill BuildingPlaylist: Economics & Social Justice
Unit: Food Choices
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
What Can You Tell From a Book Cover?
Students analyze pairs of different covers for the same children’s book for messages about techniques, purpose, impact and target audience.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
15-30 Minutes
What Do We Do About Fake News?
In this media literacy activity students analyze three online articles for messages about the responsibility to ascertain credibility in news stories.
High School, College
Individual, Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
What Do You Know? Sourcing, Credibility and Bias
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson reflecting on sourcing, credibility, accuracy and bias of information presented in the media while introducing students to vocabulary and issues addressed in Media Constructions of Sustainability lessons.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and AgricultureHigh School, College
Individual, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
What Does the Dollar Bill Tell You About the United States?
Students analyze the imagery on the dollar bill for symbols and messages about the beliefs of the founders of the United States and about what constitutes media.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
What Immigrants Want
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on why immigrants come to the U.S, the challenges they face and supports they need to survive.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Global StudiesUnit: Immigrant Rights
Kit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
What Is Causing Global Warming?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing conflicting perspectives on the causes for global warming by decoding short excerpts from two films, The Great Global Warming Swindle and An Inconvenient Truth.
High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
What is the Role of the Federal Government in Protecting the Environment?
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze three short news reports for conflicting messages about the appointment of Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
What to Believe? Media Misrepresentations of the War in Ukraine
Students analyze social media and news videos for messages analyzing misinformation and bias in reports on Russia’s war on Ukraine.
High School, College
30-60 Minutes
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.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Iraq WarKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
What’s in My Lunchbox?
In this media literacy activity students analyze a book cover, a lunchbox, a YouTube screen grab and a webpage for messages about eating fruits and vegetables.
Lower Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
When to Call a Lie a Lie – Media’s Responsibility to Hold Politicians Accountable
In this media literacy activity students analyze an article and a video news commentary from liberal and conservative media sources for messages about how the media responds to lies told by President Trump.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Where Does My Food Come From?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing videos to discern messages about the production and transportation of food.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Food ChoicesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Where Does Water Go?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing videos to discern messages about the role of the hydrologic cycle in creating watersheds.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Water (upper elementary)Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Individual, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
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.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Vietnam WarKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
White Towel Activity
A media production activity to reinforce the concept of target audiences, and how messages can be crafted for a specific audience through visuals, language and sound.
Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members)
30-60 Minutes
Who Owns the Water?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson exploring how water rights decisions impact communities by decoding excerpts from four films.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and AgricultureMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Who Stewards Seeds?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson comparing varied perspectives about the best approach to stewarding corn seeds by decoding six video clips.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and AgricultureHigh School, College
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Who is Family?
In this media literacy activity students analyze children’s book covers for messages about diversity in families.
Lower Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
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.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: The U.S. at War and Peace: American Revolution to the War in IraqUnit: Wars of Manifest Destiny: Indian, Mexican and Spanish American Wars
Kit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Who's Selling Me This Food?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing videos to discern messages about the goals and impacts of food advertising.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Food ChoicesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Who's in Power in Congress: How Do You Know?
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze four charts and text about who holds power in Congress for messages about credibility in media sources.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Whose Fear and Whose Security?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson comparing definitions of security by viewing short film excerpts from Israeli and Palestinian producers.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: The U.S. at War and Peace: American Revolution to the War in IraqUnit: Israel/Palestine: Histories in Conflict
Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Who’s Selling Me on this Sport?: Identifying Target Audience
This media literacy activity was created to integrate the teaching of English language instruction with media literacy for educators in Panama. In this media literacy activity students analyze social media posts for messages about different types of sports in Panama.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Why Go to School?
In this media literacy activity students analyze videos for messages about why education is important.
Upper Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Why Oppose War?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using excerpts from four songs to review arguments opposing the Vietnam War.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Vietnam WarKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Why Protect Our Water Resources?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing book and report covers and tables of contents to discern messages about how people impact water supplies and what individuals and communities can do to protect water resources.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Water (upper elementary)Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary
Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
Why Vote?
In this media literacy activity students analyze videos for messages about why voting is important.
Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
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.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Peace IntroductionKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Wind Farm Site Selection: A Community Debates the Issues
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two op-eds for perspectives on siting local wind farms.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Wind: Benefits and Costs
Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a book cover and a tweet for messages about how human use of natural resources for energy affects the biosphere.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Energy SourcesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School
Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Women’s Suffrage: Why the Women’s Vote Was Important Then and Is Now
In this media literacy activity students analyze primary and secondary texts from the 19th to the 21st century for messages about the arguments in favor of women voting.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Workers Unite!
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short song excerpts to compare songs with messages about worker organizing.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Early Labor MovementKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
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.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Peace IntroductionKit: Media Constructions of Peace
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
World War II D-Day - Two Views of History: Soviet and American
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode U.S. and Soviet history texts for conflicting perspectives about D-Day and the liberation of France.
High School, College
Individual
30-60 Minutes
World War One Through Posters
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing messages about economics in World War One posters.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: The U.S. at War and Peace: American Revolution to the War in IraqKit: Economics in U.S. History: A Media Literacy Kit
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
YouTube Recommendations: What Do I Do?
In this media literacy activity students analyze results from a YouTube recommendations list for messages about how to select videos based on the likelihood of their offering credible information.
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Individual, Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members)
15-30 Minutes
YouTube Recommendations: Who’s Steering Your View?
In this media literacy activity students analyze three online articles for messages about the impact of YouTube recommendations on viewers.
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Young People Taking Action to Protect our Warming Planet
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze four short excerpts from online articles for messages about youth activism for environmental protection and social justice.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Climate ChangeMiddle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Youth Activism
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on the role of young activists in the black freedom/civil rights movement.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: Black Freedom/Civil RightsKit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Youth, Hip Hop & Climate Change
This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two short hip hop music video to compare different approaches to encourage youth activism to deal with climate change.
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
“The Truth About Coronavirus” - Google Searching For COVID-19
In this media literacy activity students analyze results from two Google searches, one for “coronavirus” and one for “the real truth about coronavirus,” to reflect on the impact of search terms on the sources that Google recommends.
Upper Elementary, Middle School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Standards Alignment: National Media Literacy Alliance Joint Statement on Media Literacy Education
This 3-page document briefly summarizes the alignment of media literacy with the core standards for each of the following disciplines: library (AASL + YALSA), technology (ISTE), Journalism (JEA), Early Childhood (NAEYC), Social Studies (NCSS), ELA (NCTE), Math (NCTM), Science (NSTA), and Writing (NWP).
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Media Literacy Lesson Design
Lesson Elements
Lesson Conception
Social Studies
English Language Arts
Health
Science And Environment
Math
Arts
Psychology
Lower Elementary
Upper Elementary
Middle School
High School
College
Briefing: Project Look Sharp's Decoding Media Constructions and Sustainability
Antonio Lopez, in his coda to Greening Media Education, summarizes the complex set of skills needed “to bring ecologically oriented cultural practice into the realm of media education (which) promotes systems thinking, collaborative learning, critical thinking, lifelong learning and digital media literacy.” This article offers cases studies of two Look Sharp lessons, one for elementary age students and another for upper level high school, each of which was designed with these skills in mind as a way to bring Lopez’s vision into practice in the classroom.
College Level: Hydrofracking, Media and Credibility
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Fingerlakes
This 9 minute annotated video demonstrates constructivist media decoding using the lesson "Exploring the Impact of Hydrofracking on Aquifers," where college students analyze pro and anti-fracking diagrams.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Critical Thinking And The News
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Document Selection
Question Design
Social Studies
Science And Environment
College
College Level: Farming, Community and Sustainability
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and Agriculture
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Media Construction of Sustainability. Students in this video examine clips from a film and a commercial to decode farming in the US.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Social Studies
Science And Environment
College
High School Science: The Great Global Warming Swindle
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Media Constructions of Global Warming. Students analyze a short video clip from the film The Great Global Warming Swindle, compare the information in the clip with a chart, and reflect on issues of credibility and bias in media representations and our own biases when evaluating information.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Critical Thinking And The News
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Science And Environment
High School
College
Sustainability Education and Media Literacy
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and Agriculture
This article looks at how the topic of climate change can often provoke deep emotions in students, and suggests that instead of shying away, teachers should use media literacy activities to foster discussions of what the future holds. The author stresses the importance of connecting to the emotional lives of students when raising the complex issues around sustainability.
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Media Literacy Lesson Design
Youth Culture And New Technologies
Do No Harm
Question Design
Social Studies
Science And Environment
Upper Elementary
Middle School
High School
College
Credibility, Information and Science
Designed for secondary science and environmental studies teachers, this 2 hour to full day workshop will explore the role of the internet and other media on our students understanding of information.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Science And Environment
High School
Media & Health Issues
Media literacy education is a powerful way to approach the impact of media use and media messages on a wide range of health issues for today’s youth by emphasizing media analysis, critical thinking, and self-expression. This 2-hour to full day workshop can address multiple health issues or focus specifically on one of them, including: nutrition, body image, advertising, alcohol and substance use, smoking, bullying and put-downs, safety, and teen sexuality.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Youth Culture And New Technologies
Media Violence And Conflict Resolution
Do No Harm
Social Studies
Health
Teaching Media Literacy & Sustainability for Younger Learners
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary
This webinar offers pedagogical techniques and curriculum materials to support a deeper understanding of how to use media documents that: support content teaching about water quality, climate change and hunger, introduce media production as a way to deepen media literacy awareness, and encourage core subject integration of ELA, math, science and social studies.
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Media Literacy And Critical Thinking Integration
Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Youth Culture And New Technologies
Document Selection
Question Design
Lesson Elements
Lesson Conception
Social Studies
English Language Arts
Health
Science And Environment
Math
Media Production
Upper Elementary
Teaching about Climate Change Using the Tools of Media Literacy
This webinar offers pedagogical techniques and curriculum materials to support a deeper understanding for how to use a wide variety of media documents that: - Support content teaching about climate change - Examine media representations of global warming related to media literacy concepts of credibility, bias and impact - Encourage strong sense critical thinking by asking questions about all media messages, not just those with which we may disagree.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Critical Thinking And The News
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Document Selection
Question Design
Social Studies
Science And Environment
High School
Media Constructions of Energy Choices: Empowering Students to See Through the Smoke
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and Agriculture
This webinar offers pedagogical techniques and curriculum materials to support a deeper understanding of how to address issues of bias in media documents about energy choices. Learn to to seek out and use media sources to deepen critical thinking practice about authorship, purpose, credibility and economics.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Document Selection
Question Design
Lesson Conception
Social Studies
Science And Environment
High School
Where Media Literacy Meets Sustainability Education
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Fingerlakes
The webinar offers educators and teachers-in-training pedagogical techniques and curriculum materials to support constructivist media decoding to help students engage in critical thinking about the complex environmental, economic and social systems that underly sustainability.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Science And Environment
High School
Elementary Level: First Contact Between Europeans and Native Americans
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using our lesson, First Contact. Students in this video decode two opposing paintings to understand how Europeans impacted Native American life.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Social Studies
Lower Elementary
Upper Elementary
Elementary Level: Decoding Money
Related to kit: Introducing Africa: Critical Thinking and Media Literacy
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Introducing Africa. Students in this video compare two African currencies to the U.S. Dollar to gain insight about cultural differences.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Social Studies
Lower Elementary
Upper Elementary
The Impact of Using News as a Primary Source in Classrooms
This article, by a high school senior who was working with Project Look Sharp’s Chris Sperry, explores the use of news as a primary text in a Humanities class to teach students to think critically about the news, world events, and their own perspectives.
RX For an Infodemic: Media Decoding, COVID-19, and Online Teaching
After describing the historical, political and social causes of our viral age of “fake news,” this article explore how constructivist media decoding provides a methodology for addressing the polarization of truth, with examples of how this work can be done in the classroom through face-to-face and virtual learning.
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Social Studies
English Language Arts
Middle School
High School
College
Checking the Facts: Media Literacy and Democracy
By integrating the process of critical questioning of media messages into the everyday classroom curriculum, we can help produce a citizenry with the skills needed to negotiate future threats to truth.
An Assessment of Student Critical Thinking Skills
This describes a high school level assessment of media literacy and metacognitive skills in which students examine a YouTube video, excerpts from an opinion article, and a webpage screenshot about GMOs and answer questions about media messages, authorship, purpose, bias, credibility and how the students’ own biases impact their analysis.
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Media Literacy And Critical Thinking Integration
Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Youth Culture And New Technologies
Critical Thinking And The News
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Document Selection
Question Design
Lesson Elements
Lesson Conception
A Deeper Sense of Literacy
Related to kit: Media Constructions of War: A Critical Reading of History
Basic principles and best practices for using a curriculum-driven approach are described, with specific examples from social studies, English/Language arts, math, science, health, and art, along with methods of assessment used to address effectiveness in the classroom. By Cyndy Scheibe, American Behavioral Scientist, Vol. 48 No. 1, September 2004.
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Critical Thinking And The News
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Question Design
Lesson Conception
Social Studies
English Language Arts
High School Social Studies: Soviet History-Posters
Related to kit: Soviet History Through Posters: A Visual Literacy Kit
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Soviet History Through Posters. Students are led through a decoding of five Soviet government posters from 1918 to 1988, where they apply historical knowledge while practicing media literacy skills.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Lesson Elements
Social Studies
High School
College
College Level: Decoding "Last Words" by Nas
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Social Justice
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Media Construction of Social Justice. Students in this video decode the rap song "Last Words" by Nas to gain insight about prison life and the greater justice system.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Social Studies
English Language Arts
College
Critical Thinking and Health: Media Literacy Lessons for Elementary Grades
Related to kit: Critical Thinking & Health: Nutrition and TV Commercials
This webinar offers pedagogical techniques and curriculum materials to help young children understand biases and misleading messages found in food advertising and toy commercials aimed at them, including cereal ads and advertising for foods and beverages that imply they have a lot of fruit in them. Part of the webinar specifically focuses on gender techniques and gender stereotyping in toy commercials.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Lesson Elements
Health
Lower Elementary
Elementary Level: Gender In Children's Commercials
Related to kit: Critical Thinking & Health: Nutrition and TV Commercials
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Critical Thinking and Health. Students in this video decode the commercial "Magic Kissing Dragons" to analyze media messaging about gender.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Social Studies
English Language Arts
Lower Elementary
Upper Elementary
Elementary Level: Paintings of George Washington and King George
Related to kit: Causes of the American Revolution
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Causes of the American Revolution. Students in this video decode differences in paintings of George Washington and King George.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Social Studies
Lower Elementary
Upper Elementary
High School English: Examining Credibility and Bias in Web Sites
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Martin Luther King, Jr.
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Media Constructions of Martin Luther King Jr. Students analyze the white supremacist website martinlutherking.org and reflect on critical thinking and the internet.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Violence And Conflict Resolution
Critical Thinking And The News
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Reflecting Diversity
Do No Harm
Document Selection
Social Studies
English Language Arts
High School
College
High School Global Studies: The Politics of Maps: Israel/Palestine
Related to kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Media Construction of the Middle East. Students in this video learn to understand the level of bias in maps.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Document Selection
Lesson Elements
Social Studies
High School
College
High School Students Speak about Media Decoding in Social Studies
Ninth through eleventh graders at the Lehman Alternative Community School in Ithaca, New York, speak about the importance of integrating media analysis into social studies.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Social Studies
High School
College
Media Violence & Conflict Resolution
This 2-hour workshop explores the potential effects of verbal and physical violence shown in movies, TV, and video games on children and teens, and demonstrates ways in which K-8 teachers, community educators, and parents can address these effects through discussion and media literacy activities.
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Do No Harm
Social Studies
Psychology
Upper Elementary
Middle School
Piaget and the Power Rangers: What Can Theories of Developmental Psychology Tell Us About Children and Media?
Theories of developmental psychology can help to interpret evidence related to how children of different ages are affected differently by media consumption. By Cyndy Scheibe, 20 Questions About Youth and Media, Vol. 48 No. 1, September 2007
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Media Violence And Conflict Resolution
Psychology
Lower Elementary
Secondary School Social Studies: WWI Propaganda Posters
Related to kit: Economics in U.S. History: A Media Literacy Kit
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Economics in US History. Students in the video decode propaganda posters used in WWI.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Document Selection
Social Studies
High School
College
Seeking Truth in the Social Studies Classroom: Media Literacy, Critical Thinking and Teaching about the Middle East
Students are bombarded daily with a torrent of media messages, many of them with historical content. By selecting the right media documents for decoding, teachers can teach core content while guiding students to think critcally about these messages. By Chris Sperry, Social Education, January/February 2006
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Assessing Credibility & Bias
Question Design
Social Studies
High School
College
The Epistemological Equation: Integrating Media Analysis into the Core Curriculum
Related to kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
In his Keynote to National Association for Media Literacy Education biannual conference in 2009, Chris Sperry draws lessons from 30 years integrating media decoding into high school social studies and English classes. Beginning with a 6-minute video from a high school academic performance about the Middle East, Sperry connects media literacy methodologies and materials to the development of core knowledge, skills, attitudes and motivation in adolescents. By Chris Sperry, The National Association for Media Literacy Education's Journal of Media Literacy Education, Vol. 48 No. 1, September 2010.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Critical Thinking And The News
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Fair Use Copyright Law
Do No Harm
Question Design
Lesson Conception
Social Studies
High School
College
Teaching Critical Thinking Through Media Literacy
Constructivist media decoding in the science classroom trains students to carefully examine information and messages in different types of media; to interpret meaning while applying knowledge and identifying document-based evidence; to ask a consistent set of questions about all media messages that address sourcing, meaning, and credibility; to draw well-reasoned conclusions after weighing the evidence, evaluating different interpretations, and reflecting on their own biases; and to share their observations and conclusions and defend their analysis. The teachers saw this technique as a way of teaching inquiry related to everyday messages in the media. By Chris Sperry, Science Scope, Summer 2012.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Fair Use Copyright Law
Question Design
Science And Environment
Middle School
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.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Reflecting Diversity
Do No Harm
Question Design
Social Studies
Middle School
High School
Media Constructions of Food Justice: Shining a Light on Equity, Economy and Sustainability
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Fingerlakes
The webinar offers pre-service and high school teachers along with college and community food justice educators pedagogical techniques and curriculum materials to support a deeper understanding of how to tie goals to content in lesson design.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Question Design
Lesson Conception
Social Studies
Health
Science And Environment
High School
Media Constructions of Martin Luther King Jr.
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Martin Luther King, Jr.
This webinar offers pedagogical techniques and curriculum materials to support a deeper understanding of how to use a wide variety of media documents that: support content teaching about social justice movements, examine media representations of ongoing struggles against racism and the practice of nonviolence, and encourage analysis of meanings and messages constructed about Dr. King's life.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Critical Thinking And The News
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Reflecting Diversity
Do No Harm
Lesson Conception
Social Studies
English Language Arts
Middle School
High School
Lesson Elements
The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Online Guide consists of a series of pull-down menus and embedded links to specific examples from existing Project Look Sharp curriculum kits and lessons, particularly those designed for community groups and broad audiences, such as the sustainability curriculum kits. These suggestions on the topic of Lesson Elements include sections on: providing background information, adding additional information, extending the activity, and evaluating student learning.
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Lesson Elements
Lesson Conception
Question Design
The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Online Guide consists of a series of pull-down menus and embedded links to specific examples from existing Project Look Sharp curriculum kits and lessons, particularly those designed for community groups and broad audiences, such as the sustainability curriculum kits. These suggestions on the topic of Question Design include sections on: understanding the nature of effective key questions, address content knowledge, literacy and critical thinking, designing effective probe questions, and develop culminating and further questions.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Question Design
Lesson Conception
Selection of Media Documents
The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Online Guide consists of a series of pull-down menus and embedded links to specific examples from existing Project Look Sharp curriculum kits and lessons, particularly those designed for community groups and broad audiences, such as the sustainability curriculum kits. These suggestions on the topic of Selection of Media Documents include sections on: selecting media formats, searching for media documents, addressing copyright issues, seeking diverse representations, tracing media sources, teaching rigorous independent and reflective thought, and do no harm.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Fair Use Copyright Law
Reflecting Diversity
Do No Harm
Document Selection
Question Design
Lesson Elements
Lesson Conception
Lesson Conception
The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Online Guide consists of a series of pull-down menus and embedded links to specific examples from existing Project Look Sharp curriculum kits and lessons, particularly those designed for community groups and broad audiences, such as the sustainability curriculum kits. These suggestions on the topic of Lesson Conception include sections on: tying to your goals, choosing strategic learning and teaching options, and adapting Project Look Sharp (PLS) lessons.
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Media Literacy And Critical Thinking Integration
Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Document Selection
Question Design
Lesson Elements
Lesson Conception
High School Students Speak about Media Literacy
Documents students' reactions to media literacy integration at their school and how it has impacted their lives and learning experiences.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Critical Thinking And The News
Assessing Credibility & Bias
High School Social Studies: National Geographic's Africa
Related to kit: Introducing Africa: Critical Thinking and Media Literacy
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Seeing Africa. Students reflect on stereotyping while analyzing the representation of Africa in the lead pages from the 20 National Geographic articles on Africa in the 1990's.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Lesson Elements
Social Studies
English Language Arts
High School
High School Social Studies: Newsweek Covers on US Wars in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan
Related to kit: Media Constructions of War: A Critical Reading of History
An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Media Construction of War. Students in this video are lead to decode Newsweek covers from various US Wars.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Critical Thinking And The News
Document Selection
Lesson Elements
Social Studies
High School
Does Fair Use of Copyright Apply in Education?
Explains Project Look Sharp's approach to creating curriculum that contains copyrighted media materials. Media materials can be reproduced and used where critiquing of the media is the central objective.
How Does a Teacher Lead a Media Decoding?
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Demonstrates best practices used for leading a media decoding in the classroom. Be sure to read the subtitles while viewing the video as they refer to the pedagogical implications.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Social Studies
High School
What is Constructivist Media Decoding?
Explains Project Look Sharp's "constructivist" media decoding pedagogical approach to media analysis.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
What is Project Look Sharp's Approach to Media Literacy?
Explains Project Look Sharp's 3-pronged approach to Media Literacy Education.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
What is Media Literacy?
Explains how media literacy is an extension of traditional "literacy" in that media literacy applies to all different forms of media through which we get our information, impressions, and understandings of the world.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
What is Project Look Sharp?
Overview of Project Look Sharp's goals and mission.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Constructivist Media Decoding in the Social Studies: Leveraging the New Standards for Educational Change
Related to kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
This article explores the role that media analysis can play on educational reform tied to the new NCSS C3 Framework for the Social Studies and the Common Core ELA standards for secondary social studies. It uses examples from media decoding activities on the Project Look Sharp website tied to specific standards. It also explores professional development tools that support methodological shifts towards inquiry and assessments of critical thinking skills. By Chris Sperry, The Journal of Media Literacy, Vol. 62, pg. 46-54, 2015.
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Media Literacy And Critical Thinking Integration
Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Do No Harm
Question Design
Social Studies
High School
Looking at World War I Propaganda
Related to kit: Economics in U.S. History: A Media Literacy Kit
The article explores teaching about WWI through interactive decoding (analyzing) of propaganda posters from different countries. It lays out the theory and practice of media analysis for teaching critical thinking, questioning strategies, media literacy and core social studies content.
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Media Literacy And Critical Thinking Integration
Constructivist Media Decoding
Critical Thinking And The News
Question Design
Social Studies
High School
Voices from the Field: Sounds Great, But I Don't Have Time! Helping Teachers Meet Their Goals and Needs With Media Literacy Education
If we can find ways to demonstrate how media literacy can meet the existing needs of teachers, administrators, support staff, and students themselves, then our educational system will embrace media literacy education and its potential to create a new generation of critical thinkers, effective communicators, and active citizens for today’s world. By Cyndy Scheibe, The National Association for Media Literacy Education's Journal of Media Literacy Education, Vol. 48 No. 1, September 2009.
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Critical Thinking And The News
Lesson Conception
The Search for Truth Teaching media literacy, core content, and essential skills for a healthy democracy
Strategies and perspectives of using media literacy in core subject matters such as social studies and language arts by Chris Sperry, Threshold Magazine, Vol. 48 No. 1,Winter 2006.
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Assessing Credibility & Bias
Question Design
Social Studies
English Language Arts
U.S. Media Timeline
Timeline of media in U.S. 1789-2010 including transportation, communications, digital technology and graphic print, audio and visual media.
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Youth Culture And New Technologies
Document Selection
Lesson Elements
Tips for Decoding
Tips for finding rich media documents and for leading a decoding.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Fair Use Copyright Law
Do No Harm
Document Selection
Question Design
Lesson Conception
6 Key Concepts in Media Analysis
Key concepts to be aware of to practice critical thinking when evaluating media messages.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Key Questions To Ask When Producing Media Messages
Graphic display of media production questions related to audience & authorship, messages & meanings, and representations & reality.
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Media Literacy Lesson Design
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Question Design
Lesson Conception
Key Questions to Ask When Analyzing Media Messages
Graphic display of questions related to audience & authorship, messages & meanings and representations & reality.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Question Design
Lesson Elements
Lesson Conception
12 Basic Ways to Integrate Media Literacy and Critical Thinking into Any Curriculum
This booklet is designed for teachers and support staff at all grade levels who are interested in using media literacy in their classroom curriculum. The approaches are based on the concept of weaving media literacy training into the curriculum whenever and wherever possible throughout the school year. Routine integration is much more effective than simply treating media literacy as a special, isolated topic and may better meet the needs of teachers who are already at capacity with the demands of a full curriculum.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
NAMLE Core Principles of Media Literacy Education in the U.S.
NAMLE is excited to offer to educators, advocates and allies these Core Principles of Media Literacy Education in the United States. We believe that these Core Principles articulate a common ground around which media literacy educators and advocates can coalesce. NAMLE is committed to using the Core Principles as a springboard for vibrant and ongoing dialogue, and as a first step in the development of clear, measurable outcomes and benchmarks for U.S. schools.
Consulting
Project Looksharp personnel are available for coaching and consulting about media literacy in K-12 and teacher education, including ways to integrate media literacy into an existing curriculum, use media literacy with particular student populations (e.g., English as a second langauge or at-risk students), or build media literacy offerings into staff development within a school district.
Critical Thinking & the News
Democracy requires an educated and literate citizenship. This 2-hour workshop provides guidelines and strategies for training our students to consistently assess the credibility, accuracy, and bias of various news sources.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Critical Thinking And The News
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Social Studies
Youth Culture and New Technologies
Wikis, Facebook, Twitter, Texting, Gaming. How and why are students using new communication media, what are our concerns, and what are the implications for our classrooms? This 2-hour (exposure) to full-day (hands on) workshop will explore literacy for the 21st century.
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Media Literacy Lesson Design
Youth Culture And New Technologies
Do No Harm
Secondary Social Studies Integration with Curriculum Kits
This training will provide content and materials that enable teachers to reach both high achieving and traditionally disengaged students through use of Project Look Sharp curriculum materials that teach core social studies content and skills. The workshop will cover classroom decoding methods using key concepts and questions for media analysis, teaching 21st century critical thinking skills (e.g. identifying sourcing, credibility, and bias), and issues of copyright, accessing media documents, and assessment.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Critical Thinking And The News
Assessing Credibility & Bias
Fair Use Copyright Law
Document Selection
Question Design
Lesson Elements
Lesson Conception
Social Studies
Integrating Media Literacy and Critical Thinking into the Curriculum
This popular interactive workshop introduces the theory and practice of media literacy integration throughout the curriculum, emphasizing the development of critical thinking and analysis skills. It can be adapted to address the needs of a mixed group of K-12 educators, or focus on a specific target audience (e.g., middle school ELA and social studies, librarians, elementary health). Participants will receive materials and learn approaches that can be immediately used in the classroom or other educational context.
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Constructivist Media Decoding
Critical Thinking And The News
Integrating Common Core Standards across the Curriculum with Critical Thinking and 21st Century Literacies
This dynamic full-day workshop will expand participants’ understanding of literacy and deepen their ability to engage all students in active learning through the inquiry-based analysis of diverse fiction and nonfiction media documents. Participants will walk away with materials, strategies and a plan for developing Common Core literacy skills while teaching content-area knowledge. This workshop can be designed for a specific audience (e.g., secondary social studies, ELA and/or science teachers, elementary school teachers, librarians, PD specialists) or a mixed group of K-12 educators.
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Media Literacy And Critical Thinking Integration
Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Lesson Conception
Teaching about the Middle East through Media Literacy
Related to kit: Media Constructions of the Middle East
This webinar explores the role that Media Literacy, Project-Based Learning and Lesson Design can play in motivating and engaging all students in deep scholarship, critical thinking and personal growth. Viewers are introduced to lesson models from the Project Look Sharp curriculum kit, Media Construction of the Middle East, a video demonstration of the classroom media decoding process, a sample of a student simulated Middle East peace conference, and how teachers can teach key content while addressing common core standards in social studies and speaking and listening.
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Media Literacy And Critical Thinking Integration
Constructivist Media Decoding
Media Literacy Lesson Design
Critical Thinking And The News
Social Studies
High School
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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Hell, No, We Won’t Go!”: Muhammad Ali and Antiwar Choices
Students analyze a poster and a magazine cover for messages about Muhammad Ali, conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War and about historical context and interpretation of artistic intent in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Peace is the Way”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Beyond Vietnam: Dr. King Opposes the War
Students analyze a webpage for messages about Dr. Martin Luther King's opposition to the Vietnam War and about historical context and producer intent in media messages .This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Peace is the Way”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
U.S. History Textbooks Messages About Hiroshima & Nagasaki
Students analyze excerpts from two U.S, history textbooks for messages about President Truman's decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan and about author's point of view in media messages . 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act" & "Investigate Everything" Book Covers
Students analyze 2 book covers for messages about civilian dissent and government repression during wartime and about editorial design choices in 21st century book covers. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Peace or Liberty?”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Great Sea Victory For America" or "Awful Slaughter": Dueling Front Pages
Students analyze 2 editorial cartoons for messages about a U.S. naval assault in the the Philippine American War and about point of view in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Questioning Manifest Destiny”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
The Great Treaty Between Delaware Indian Chief Tammany and Quaker William Penn
Students analyze a wampum belt and a frieze for messages about the treaty between Chief Tammany and William Penn and about purpose and discerning media forms. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Questioning Manifest Destiny”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Shared Legacy: Gandhi, King & Obama
Students analyze a poster for messages about Barack Obama, the historical legacy of peacemaking and about purpose and sponsorship of 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Dolores Huerta & the United Farmworkers
Students analyze a poster and a street mural for messages about Dolores Huerta, the United Farmworkers and about the use of 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Boycott Leader Gives Human Relations Talks" Front Page
Students analyze a newspaper front page for messages about Martin Luther King, boycotts and about target audience 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Henry David Thoreau and Civil Disobedience
Students analyze a book cover and a poster for messages about Henry David Thoreau, civil disobedience and about editorial choices 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Passenger Pigeon Memorial Webpage
Students analyze a webpage for messages about the last passenger pigeon and about benefit and harm in media messages. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Christine Jorgensen: 1970 Film Poster & 2010 Webpage
Students analyze a 1970 film poster and a 2010 webpage for messages about early transgender choice and about what makes media messages sensational or sympathetic. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Out and Affirmed." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Bisexual Resource Center Webpage
Students analyze a web page for messages about bisexuality and about the use of visual symbols to convey identity. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Out and Affirmed." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
GLAAD: Latino/a Community Webpage
Students analyze a web page for messages about gay affirmative messaging and about word choice in editorial decisions. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Out and Affirmed." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Gay Marriage Webpages
Students analyze two 2010 web pages for messages about gay marriage and about how different people interpret media messages differently. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Out and Affirmed." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Meet The New Americans" Webpage
Students analyze a 2010 webpage for messages about why people emigrate to the U.S. and about the purpose and funding of websites. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “The Law of Immigration." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Native American Buffalo Recovery Webpage
Students analyze a webpage for messages about buffalo recovery efforts by Native Americans and about values in media messages. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Bald Eagles: Saving Our Symbol" Webpage
Students analyze a webpage for messages about bald eagles, DDT and about purpose and funding in media messages. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Protecting Wolves: Differing Opinions
Students analyze two webpages for messages about wolf protection and about point of view in media messages. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Trophy Hunting: Different Views
Students analyze a poster and a webpage for messages about trophy hunting and about target audience and techniques in media messages. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Hunting Gorillas: Contrasting Views
Students analyze a magazine cover and a webpage for messages about bushmeat, gorillas and editorial choices in media messages. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Chevron and Species Protection: Differing Perspectives
Students analyze a magazine advertisement and a mock ad for messages about waterfowl protection, greenwashing and corporate responsibility. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Dealing with Invasive Species: Different Approaches
Students analyze a webpage and a book cover for messages about invasive species and sponsorship and purpose in media messages. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Endangered Species Act, Spotted Owls and the Lumber Industry: Dueling Perspectives
Students analyze a magazine cover and a news article for messages about the Endangered Species Act, spotted owls and the lumber industry. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Threatened Orangutans: Where's the Hope?
Students analyze a report cover and a webpage for messages about threatened orangutans and about purpose in media message 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Biodiversity and the Future of Life" Book Cover
Students analyze a book cover for messages about biodiversity and about editorial choices for book covers. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Climate Change, Biodiversity and Magazine Cover Priorities
Students analyze a webpage for messages about climate change, biodiversity and about editorial choices for magazine covers. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Tropical Rainforest" Book Cover
Students analyze a book cover for messages about rainforest protection and about credibility in media messages. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Study Sees Global Collapse of Fish Species" Webpage
Students analyze a webpage for messages about commercial fishing 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Buffalo Land" Book Illustration
Students analyze a 19th century book illustration for messages about the slaughter of the buffalo and about fact and opinion in media messages. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Buffalo Bill: Wolf Fighter" Dime Novel
Students analyze an early 20th century magazine cover for messages about human animal relations and about historical context in media message interpretation. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“The Artist in His Museum” Oil Painting
Students analyze a 19th century painting for messages about human animal relations, museums and about benefit and harm in media messages. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Passenger Pigeon Shoot" Etching
Students analyze a 19th century etching for messages about passenger pigeon hunts and about historical context in media messages. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Buffalo Hunt: Slaughtered for the Hide
Students analyze a 19th century magazine cover for messages about buffalo hunting and about point of view in media messages.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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"American Progress" Painting
Students analyze a 19th century painting for messages about progress and about personal interpretation of media messages.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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Highways of the Forest" Drawing
Students analyze a 19th century drawing for messages about wilderness transportation and about personal interpretation of media messages.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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Wreck of the Whale Ship Essex" Etching
Students analyze a 19th century etching for messages about whaling and about the impact of media messages.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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Beaver Trapping" Diagram
Students analyze an 18th century diagram for messages about beaver trapping and about target audience.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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"La Virgenia Pars" Map
Students analyze a 16th century map for messages about perspectives on marine life and about historical context in media messages.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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Native American Perspectives on Human/Animal Relation: Nine Mile Canyon & Powhatan's Mantle
Students analyze a petroglyph and a deerskin for messages about Native American perspectives on human/animal relationships and about differences in interpretations of media messages.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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Oren Lyons: Seeing For Seven Generations
Students analyze a webpage for messages about environmental awareness and about target audience in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Saving Our Soil: Dirt or Culture?
Students analyze a book cover and a webpage for messages about soil and about values and credibility in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Drinking Water: Two Points of View
Students analyze a film poster and an advertisement for messages about drinking water, target audience and techniques in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Reforestation: Three Perspectives
Students analyze a book cover and two webpages for messages about reforestation and about sponsorship of media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Oil Reserves: Two Perspectives
Students analyze a book cover and a DVD jacket for messages about oil reserves and about credibility in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Being Consumers: Four Views
Students analyze a catalog cover, a poster and 2 webpages for messages about consumerism and about visual techniques to attract interest in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Suburbanization: Ordinary Places or Land Investment?
Students analyze 2 webpages for messages about land development and about values in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Roosevelt and Muir" Webpage
Students analyze a webpage for messages about the origins of the national park system and about values in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Walden, Power and Markets: Views on Humans and the Natural World
Students analyze title pages from two 19th century books and a webpage for messages about human relationships with the natural world and about individual interpretations of media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"No Place Like Home" Celebrating Biodiversity Magazine Cover
Students analyze a magazine cover for messages about the balance of nature and about artistic technique in poster design. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Resource Wars" Global Challenges Book Cover
Students analyze a blog page for messages about peak oil and about sponsorship of media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
The End of Suburbia, 2006 Blog Page
Students analyze a blog page for messages about peak oil and about sponsorship of media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Tarzan" Deforestation Poster
Students analyze a poster for messages about deforestation and about sponsorship of media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"When the Rivers Run Dry" Book Cover
Students analyze a book cover for messages about drought and about credibility in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Overfishing "Still Waters" Webpage
Students analyze a web page for messages about overfishing and about website design choices. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Our Filthy Seas" Magazine Cover
Students analyze a magazine cover for messages about ocean pollution and about artistic design choices. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Years of Dust, 1937 Poster
Students analyze a poster for messages about the dust bowl and about artistic design choices. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Boulder Dam Report Cover
Students analyze a report cover for messages about dam construction and about target audience. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Gladys City Oil Stock Certificate
Students analyze an early 20th century stock certificate for messages about oil, land management and about historical context. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
McCormick Reaper Company, c. 1890 Advertisement
Students analyze a 19th century advertisement for messages about empire and about early advertising design. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
The Stump and Trunk of the Mammoth Tree of Calaveras, 1862 Lithograph Print
Students analyze a 19th century print for messages about harvesting ancient trees and about values in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Plan of an American New Cleared Farm, 1791 Engraving
Students analyze an 18th century engraving for messages about clearing wilderness, establishing property boundaries and about target audience. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Giant Redwood Trees of California, 1874 Painting
Students analyze a 19th century painting for messages about California redwood forests and about painters' techniques of representation. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Wa-Ba-Sha Prairie, 1855 Print
Students analyze a 19th century print for messages about prairie lands on the upper Mississippi River and about target audience in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Indian Treaty of Greenville" Painting
Students analyze an 18th century painting for messages about U.S. occupation of Native American lands and about benefit and harm in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Niagara Waterfall" 1704 Engraving
Students analyze an 18th century engraving for messages about European explorers' first impressions of Niagara Falls and about target audience. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Native Presence on the Land: Colonial Perspectives
Students analyze a 16th century engraving and a 19th century painting for messages about Native American relationships to the natural world and about artistic choices in narrative painting. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Ozette Rocks Petroglyph
Students analyze a petroglyph for messages about human relationship to the natural world and about authorship and purpose in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Native American Seed Stewardship: 3 Views
Students analyze a painting, a book cover and a web page for messages about Native American stewardship of seeds and about values in 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Organic Foods: Whose Perspective?
Students analyze a magazine cover and a web page for messages about organic foods and green marketing.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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Toxic Waste and Race at Twenty" Report Cover
Students analyze a report cover for messages about the history of the environmental justice movement and about the personal impacts of social justice movements and 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"The Great Louisiana Toxics March" Webpage
Students analyze a webpage for messages about environmental injustice, toxic waste and purpose in website design.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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Dying from Dioxin" Book Cover
Students analyze a book cover for messages about human and environmental impacts of toxic chemicals and about artistic techniques in book cover design.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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"The Price of Research" - Conflicting Claims on Atrazine
Students analyze two journal covers for messages about research on the environmental impacts of pesticides and about target audience and purpose in 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Monsanto's Role in Environmental Protection
Students analyze two webpages for messages about Monsanto, corporate responsibility and purpose in 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Bhopal, Disaster and Corporate Responsibility
Students analyze a magazine cover, a poster and an advertisement for messages about corporate responsibility, toxic leaks and purpose in 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Greenwash" Book Cover
Students analyze a book cover for messages about corporate environmentalism, greenwashing and about designer choices to promote book sales. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Essential" American Chemistry Council Webpage
Students analyze a webpage for messages about the benefits of chemicals and about values implicit in 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Drum Beat for Mother Earth" Video Jacket
Students analyze a video cover for messages about persistent organic pollutants and indigenous people and about actions in response to 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Lead Paint Danger" Webpage
Students analyze a webpage for messages about the dangers of lead paint in toys and about how media producers work to elicit emotional responses. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Chemical Cuisine" Webpage
Students analyze a webpage for messages about chemical additives in food and about target audience in 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Dead in the Water" Webpage
Students analyze a webpage for messages about fertilizers and Gulf of Mexico dead zones and about how the mission of media producers impacts the media message. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Ethyl War" Webpage
Students analyze a webpage for messages about the history of leaded gasoline and about credibility and impact 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Sun Mad Raisins" Poster
Students analyze a poster for messages about pesticides and about artistic techniques to convey fear. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"The Poisoning of America" Magazine Cover
Students analyze images of a magazine cover for messages about toxic chemical waste and about the ways in which advertisers use fear to sell. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Saving the Planet With Pesticides and Plastic” Book Cover
Students analyze images of a book cover for messages about the suggested benefits of pesticides and plastics and about the ways in which publishers determine 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Science Helps Build a New India," Union Carbide Ad
Students analyze images of a 1960s magazine ad for messages about the suggested benefits of chemical fertilizers and about the impact of western science on Indian farmers. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"DDT is Good for Me" Magazine Ad
Students analyze images of a 1940s magazine ad for messages about the suggested benefits of DDT and about target audience in advertising. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Which Face Will You Wear?" DuPont Ad
Students analyze images of a 1940s magazine ad for messages about chemicals and consumer choices and about implied values in advertising. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Ethyl Controls" Magazine Ad
Students analyze images of a 1930s magazine ad for messages about leaded gasoline and about implied values in advertising. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Black Death" Insecticide Advertisement
Students analyze images of a 19th century advertisement for messages about chemical insecticide and about techniques to persuade. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Science in the Kitchen" Book Cover
Students analyze images of a 19th century book cover for messages about chemicals in food preparation and about target audience. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Horsford’s Acid Phosphate: Cure or Con?
Students analyze images of a 19th century advertisement for messages about chemicals in medicinal products and about techniques of persuasion in early advertising. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Alchemist or Chemist? Two Painters' Views
Students analyze images of paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries for messages about early chemists and about why someone might pay to commission paintings. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Ancient Chemists - Anasazi Basketmaker & Mimbres Potter
Students analyze images of an Anasazi woven basket and a Mimbres ceramic bowl for messages about chemistry in ancient media forms. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Interpreting Personal Power: Imagery & Appeal
Students analyze two Esquire magazine covers for messages about power and identity and about diverse interpretations of media documents. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Beautiful Women: Body Image Affirmation
Students analyze a poster for messages about body image and identities and about purpose and sponsorship of media creation. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Title IX: Impacts and Identities
Students analyze a poster for messages about athleticism and gender identities and about the impact of Title IX. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Presenting Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court Justice
Students analyze two magazine covers for messages about Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and about how target audiences influence editorial choices. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Violence Against Women: Who Can Stop it?
Students analyze a magazine cover and a poster for messages about who can stop violence against women and about discerning what's true in media documents. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Abortion Rights: What does the Button Say?
Students analyze six buttons for messages about pro-choice and pro-life arguments and about buttons as a media form designed to persuade. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
The Equal Rights Amendment in American History Textbooks
Students analyze passages from two American History textbooks for messages about efforts to pass the Equal Rights Amendment and about credibility and what's left out of history texts. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"But Some of Us Are Brave" Black Women's Studies
Students analyze a book cover for messages about African American women's history and about the independent women's press. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Who's a Feminist Now?" Ms Magazine Covers Across the Decades
Students analyze two Ms magazine covers from 1972 & 2008 for messages about the nature of feminist identity and about how historical context shapes editorial decisions. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“You’re Liberated" Ad
Students analyze a 1972 magazine advertisement for messages about using feminist tropes to sell products and about the effects of advertising. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Feminist Writers: Kate Millett & Germaine Greer
Students analyze magazine covers for messages about popular culture representations of feminism and about who pays for and produces media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Betty Friedan & "The Feminine Mystique"
Students analyze book covers for messages about feminist analysis of gender norms and about how historical context influences editorial decisions. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Show Her It’s A Man’s World” Magazine Ad
Students analyze a 1951 magazine advertisement for messages about women's identities after World War Two and about target audience. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Women Work on the Home Front in World War Two
Students analyze a 1943 lithograph for messages about women's identities during World War Two and about historical context. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Wiretapping Dr. King
Students analyze a 2006 ACLU advertisement for messages about government wiretaps on Dr. King and about historical context. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“The White Problem in America” and “The Black Revolution”
Students analyze two Ebony magazine covers for messages about the nature of the race problem and about target audience and effects. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Black Panther Party For Self Defense
Students analyze newspaper images for messages about the Black Panthers and about the independent Black press. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Student Militancy Opposing Racism
Students analyze a news photo for messages about a protest involving armed self defense and about historical context. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
1968 Olympics Protest Against Racism
Students analyze a book cover for messages about a protest against racism at the 1968 Olympics and about editorial choices for book covers. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
1967 Rebellions: The Long Hot Summer
Students analyze a magazine cover for messages about uprisings in African American communities in the summer of 1967 and about media representation of police shootings. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Selma: Marching for Justice
Students analyze a magazine cover about the Selma police attack on protesters for messages about the use of violence to quell protest and about editorial decision-making in the selection of magazine cover imagery. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Malcolm X Poster
Students analyze a 2005 poster about Malcolm X for messages about self-determination, resistance to oppression and about historical context. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Fannie Lou Hamer and the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party
Students analyze a cover of a video about Fannie Lou Hamer for messages about African American women's leadership and about purpose of media advocacy documents. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“One Man One Vote” Poster
Students analyze a voting rights poster for messages about purpose, funding and effects of advocacy media. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Freedom Summer in Mississippi
Students analyze two posters about Freedom Summer volunteers for messages about the risks of challenging white supremacy and about values expressed in posters. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Birmingham: Foot Soldiers and Police Dogs
Students analyze an iconic photo and a sculpture for messages about police attacks on demonstrators and about media document purpose. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Freedom Rides Map
Students analyze a map of the freedom rides routes in the south for messages about organizing strategies and about maps as media. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Popular Culture Reflects Social Justice
Students analyze a record album cover for messages about the role of popular culture in the freedom struggle and about target audience. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Little Rock School Desegregation
Students analyze a magazine cover from 1957 and a book cover from 2008 for messages about the Little Rock school desegregation struggle and about media representations of heroism. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Martin Luther King at Communist Training School” Billboard
Students analyze an anti-Communist billboard for messages about anti-racist organizing and about red-baiting in the media. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
After the War: Civil Rights
Students analyze two posters from the mid-1940s for messages about the origins of the civil rights/Black freedom movement and about historical context. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"It Takes Roots to Weather the Storm", Climate Justice Poster
Students analyze a poster for messages about climate justice activism and about implicit values in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Puerto Rico Devastated From Hurricane Maria" Webpage
Students analyze a webpage for messages about the impacts of hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico and about image choices for audience impact. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"EPA Overturns Pesticide Ban" Webpage
Students analyze a webpage for messages about the EPA reversing a pesticide ban and about target audience. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
National Farmworker Awareness: Pesticide Danger
Students analyze a webpage for messages about health impacts on farmworkers from pesticide exposure and about target audience and producer mission in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Exposed and Ignored": Farmworkers and Pesticides
Students analyze a report cover for messages about farmworkers and pesticide exposure and about technique in cover design. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Indigenous Rising: Stop the Pipeline" Webpage
Students analyze a webpage for messages about Indigenous peoples' efforts to stop fossil fuel pipelines and about editorial decisions in webpage design. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Fighting the Cancer Alley Myth", Louisiana Chemical Association Webpage
Students analyze a webpage by the Louisiana Chemical Association for messages about industry efforts to change public perceptions about cancer alley, Louisiana and about purpose in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Louisiana Cancer Alley Residents Sue" Blog Post
Students analyze a blog post for messages about lawsuit brought be residents of cancer alley, Louisiana and about advocacy tactics used by producers of media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Witness: Cancer Alley Louisiana
Students analyze magazine pages for messages about cancer alley, Louisiana and about who might benefit and be harmed by media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Poverty Rates and Surface Mining
Students analyze a webpage for messages about poverty rates and surface mining and about how media messages reflect the mission of the producer. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Community Impacts of Mountaintop Removal
Students analyze a webpage for messages about community impacts of mountaintop removal and about media production techniques to motivate action. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Community Organizing for Environmental Justice
Students analyze a webpage for messages about community building for social justice and about website design choices. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Uneven Katrina Recovery" News Article
Students analyze a news article for messages about race and the recovery from Hurricane Katrina and about website design choices. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Race, Place & Environmental Justice After Hurricane Katrina
Students analyze a book cover for messages about race and the impacts of Hurricane Katrina and about title and imagery in book cover choices. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Journal of Multicultural Environmental Education
Students analyze a journal cover for messages about coupling education with activism and about the role of small journals in seeding social justice movements. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Mothers of East Los Angeles: Fighting Poisons - From Prisons to Pipelines
Students analyze a poster for messages about the Mothers of East Los Angeles environmental justices movement of the 1980s and about artists' advocacy for social justice. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Transforming Environmentalism: The Origins of Environmental Justice
Students analyze a book cover for messages about the origins of the environmental justice movement and about book cover design choices. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Prison Abolition and Democracy Book Cover
Students analyze a book cover for messages about prison abolition and about book cover design choices. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Restorative Justice" Webpage
Students analyze a web page for messages about restorative justice and about sponsorship and purpose in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Record Breaker: Life After Prison" Posters
Students analyze two posters for messages about rehabilitation, life after release from prison and about purpose in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Habitual Violator: Naming Prisoners" Magazine Cover
Students analyze a magazine cover for messages about the words used to describe people in the criminal justice system and about counter-stereotyping in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Family Life Behind Bars” Webpage
Students analyze a web page for messages about the experience of prison families and about the purpose of websites. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Prison Profiteers Book Cover
Students analyze a book cover for messages about the privatization of prisons and about editorial choices for title and artwork in book covers. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Rising Prison Budgets: Is It Worth It?
Students analyze a magazine cover for messages about prison budgets and about who might benefit and who might be harmed by media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Polling on the Death Penalty
Students analyze 2 webpages of polling data for messages about public opinion on the death penalty and about how questions are framed in polling. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“The Death Penalty” Magazine Cover
Students analyze a magazine cover for messages about the death penalty and about magazine cover design choices. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Guantanamo - Contrasting Representations
Students analyze a webpage and a poster for messages about Guantanamo and about purposes of imagery in media documents. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Women in Prison Poster
Students analyze a poster for messages about women in prison and about graphic decisions in poster design. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"The New Jim Crow" Book Cover
Students analyze a book cover for messages about race and incarceration and about designer choices for book covers. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“More Than 1 in Every 100” Newspaper Article
Students analyze a newspaper article for messages about the number of people held in U.S. prisons and about sourcing in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Out & Outraged: Nonviolent Civil Disobedience at the Supreme Court
Students analyze a 1987 handbook cover for messages about civil disobedience by AIDS activists and about visual symbols in media document design. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Out and Affirmed." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“The Inmate Nation" Magazine Cover
Students analyze a magazine cover for messages about the U.S. prison system and about purpose and design in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network Posters
Students analyze two posters from the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network for messages about LGBTQ students and about purpose and design in media messages . This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Out and Affirmed." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Advertising Targeting LGBTQ Consumers
Students analyze an advertisement for messages about LGBTQ consumers as a target group for advertisers and about LGBTQ affirmative symbols. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Out and Affirmed." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Hate Speech Targeting the LGBTQ Community
Students analyze a news photo for messages about hate speech targeting LGBTQ people and about editorial choices to publish images of hatred. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Out and Affirmed." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Hate Crimes Against the LGBTQ Community
Students analyze a magazine cover for messages about hate crimes against LGBTQ people and about editorial choices for cover headlines. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Out and Affirmed." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Breaking Silence About the AIDS Crisis
Students analyze a poster for messages about breaking the silence about the AIDS crisis and about art in social justice movements. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Out and Affirmed." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Gay Power Comes to Sheridan Square: The Stonewall Uprising
Students analyze front pages from two newspaper for messages about the Stonewall uprising and about editorial choices to appeal to a specific target audience. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Out and Affirmed." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Homophile Groups Picket in Nation’s Capital” 1965 Magazine Cover
Students analyze a 1965 magazine cover for messages about an early gay liberation march and about the role of small media outlets in furthering social justice movements. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Out and Affirmed." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Minuteman Project Webpage
Students analyze a 2010 webpage for messages about militant opposition to immigration and about the use of patriotic symbols in advocacy appeals. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “The Law of Immigration." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“American Apparel on Immigration” Advertisement
Students analyze a 2007 advertisement for messages about acceptance of "illegal" immigrants and about advertising as a means for social change. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “The Law of Immigration." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Immigrants Take to U.S. Streets in Show of Strength”
Students analyze a 2006 New York Times front page for messages about immigrant rights marches and about editorial choices for front page photos. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “The Law of Immigration." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Read Between the Lines": Mexican American Experience in Murals
Students analyze a mural for messages about the Mexican immigrant experience and about murals, petroglyphs, graffiti and tagging as forms of media. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “The Law of Immigration." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Torn Apart by Deportation” Magazine Cover
Students analyze a magazine cover for messages about the impact of deportation and about implicit and explicit media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “The Law of Immigration." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Immigration Policy and the “Fight For the Future”
Students analyze a magazine cover for messages about immigration policy and about periodical covers as advertising . This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “The Law of Immigration." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Nuestro Labor” and “Embracing Illegals”
Students analyze a poster and a magazine cover for messages about the impact of immigration on the economy and about why points of view in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “The Law of Immigration." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Uncle Sam is a Man of Strong Features”
Students analyze an 1898 magazine cover for messages about immigration and about who might benefit and who might be harmed by media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “The Law of Immigration." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Colonize This! Young Women of Color on Today’s Feminism
Students analyze a book cover for messages about women of color and identities and about media representationms of young women of color. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Solidarity Forever” Calendar
Students analyze a 2010 calendar for messages about labor history, worker solidarity and about techniques of persuasion. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“A General Strike" Poster
Students analyze a 1919 poster for a general strike for messages about immigrant workers, labor tactics and about implied values in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“The Wail of the Kept Press”: Media Bias and Free Speech
Students analyze a 1912 pro-union poster for messages about free speech in the workplace and about stereotypes in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Open Shop Poster
Students analyze a 1916 anti-union poster for messages about employer/worker relations and about benefit and harm in media documents. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Making Human Junk : Child Labor Poster
Students analyze a 1915 poster for messages about child labor and about the early use of photography in poster design. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Civil Liberties For Workers Poster
Students analyze a flyer protesting state and military suppression of strikers for messages about injustice to workers and about techniques of persuasion. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Pyramid of Capitalist System Poster
Students analyze a 1911 poster for messages about capitalism, class conflict and about techniques and target audience. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
Students analyze a front page about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire for messages about unsafe working conditions and about the economics and purpose of media newspaper headlines. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Union Labels
Students analyze labor union labels for messages about labor union membership and about social justice organization logos. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Wanted: Strikebreakers" Poster
Students analyze an 1898 flyer advertising for "good colored miners" to become strikebreakers for messages about management efforts to break strikes and about target audience and purpose. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Pullman Strike
Students analyze a book illustration and newspaper headlines for messages about 19th century labor strikes and about conflicting points of view in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Anti-Chinese Labor Party Poster
Students analyze an 1879 anti-Chinese labor party poster for messages about Chinese immigrant workers and about racism in the early labor movement. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Horatio Alger: From Rags to Riches
Students analyze frontispieces from two 19th century books for messages about "rags to riches" media tropes and about race and gender in construction of fictional characters. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Bertha, the Sewing Machine Girl
Students analyze a 19th century magazine cover for messages about labor conditions for women working in sweathops and about editorial techniques to reach an audience. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
George Washington: Farmer & Slaveowner (The Farmer, 1853 Lithograph)
Students analyze a 19th century lithograph for messages about George Washington as a farmer and slaveowner and about hero messages in printmaking. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Slave Auction Poster
Students analyze a 19th century auction poster for messages about the nature and economics of slavery and about the ethics of advertising the sale of human beings. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
Students analyze the title page and an illustration from the autobiography of abolitionist Frederick Douglass for messages about the nature of slavery and the role of autobiography as a form of resistance to slavery. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Abolitionist Trading Cards
Students analyze abolitionist trading cards for messages about the nature of identity and family under enslavement and about the creation of creative media forms to oppose slavery. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Freedom's Journal: Abolitionists Speak Out
Students analyze a poster and newspaper article from early 19th century African American abolitionists for messages about their critiques of the institution of slavery and the audiences they sought to inspire. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Am I Not a Man and a Brother?
Students analyze an anti-slavery graphic image from 1850 and a 2009 Google image search return for "Abolition of Slavery" for messages about the nature of enslaved Africans and about the resonance of iconic abolitionist imagery. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
William Lloyd Garrison's "The Liberator" Newspaper
Students analyze the front page masthead of William Lloyd Garrison's "The Liberator" newspaper for messages about graphic imagery used by the abolitionist movement and about target audience. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Wanted: The Abolitionist
Students analyze a wanted poster for an abolitionist for messages about how pro-slavery forces represented the abolitionist movement and about how media is used to inflame. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Students analyze an advertisement for the abolitionist book, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," for messages about counter-stereotyping and about how 19th century advertising promoted book sales. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
The Anti-Slavery Alphabet
Students analyze a page from a child's abolitionist book, "The Anti-Slavery Alphabet," for messages about heroes, villains and victims and about techniques used to persuade children to the cause of abolition. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Nat Turner's Rebellion
Students analyze an illustration of a slave revolt for messages about Nat Turner's rebellion and about media techniques used to characterize revolutionary violence. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Dred Scott Case
Students analyze a poster for a meeting about the Dred Scott case for messages about African American abolitionists' responses to the Dred Scott decision and about target audience for abolitionist public meetings. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Wanted: Escaped Slave
Students analyze a wanted poster for an escaped slave for messages about who might benefit, who might be harmed and about how different people respond differently to media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Effects of the Fugitive Slave Law
Students analyze an 1850 print, "The Effects of the Fugitive Slave Law" for messages about authorship, purpose and values. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
John Brown in History Textbooks
Students analyze two 19th century American History textbook excerpts about John Brown for messages about characterizations of hero and madman and about historical context. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Abolitionist Tactics for Freedom
Students analyze a poster warning of slave catchers and a lithograph print of Henry "Box" Brown who successfully escaped from enslavement for messages about abolitionist organizing tactics and about target audience for abolitionist media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Running To Freedom: On To Liberty
Students analyze a painting of people running to escape slavery for messages about how enslaved people ran away and artistic techniques to illustrate freedom. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
The Emancipation Proclamation
Students analyze an 1863 magazine illustration of the Emancipation Proclamation for messages about who was responsible for emancipation and artistic technique. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
The Enduring Meaning of Freedom
Students analyze a 1986 mural about Harriet Tubman and a 2006 book cover about slave narratives for messages about contemporary meanings of freedom-seeking and about credible sources for information about the experience of enslavement. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Arguing For Freedom”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
The First Women's Rights Convention
Students analyze a National Parks Service webpage on the first women's rights convention for messages about the interconnections between 19th century social justice campaigns and about authorship and purpose. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Declaration of Sentiments
Students analyze text from the founding document of the first women's rights convention for messages about the interrelationship between between the early women's rights movement and the Declaration of Independence and about personal reflections on human rights. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Sojourner Truth
Students analyze the front page of an 1860 newspaper for messages about women's leadership in the early labor movement and about journalism techniques to spark reader interest. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
The Shoemakers Strike in Lynn
Students analyze the front page of an 1860 newspaper for messages about women's leadership in the early labor movement and about journalism techniques to spark reader interest. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Elizabeth Cady Staton & Susan B. Anthony: Women's Revolution
Students analyze the front page of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B Anthony's newspaper, The Revolution, for messages about purposes of media production and about historical context. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Women's Rights Convention Headlines
Students analyze two sets of headlines about 19th century women's rights conventions for conflicting messages about point of view and about priorities for human rights for women and African Americans. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Confronting Racism in the Women's Suffrage Movement
Students analyze a pamphlet reprinting a speech by African American educator and suffragist Mary Church Terrell for messages about African American women's rights efforts and about racism in the women's suffrage movement. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Woman Suffrage in Wyoming Territory
Students analyze the front page of a newspaper for messages about Wyoming women becoming the first women to have the right to vote and about editorial choices to highlight women's suffrage. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Suffragists Rewrite the Constitution and the Bible
Students analyze an excerpt from "The Woman's Bible" and a magazine cover for messages about repurposing classic documents to further the cause of women's rights and about moral and ethical arguments for social justice. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Pro-suffrage Public Relation Campaigning
Students analyze a postcard, a advertisement and sheet music for messages about pro-suffrage messaging, purpose and target audience. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Women's Suffrage Movement Tactics
Students analyze two front pages for messages about pro-suffrage tactics and strategic use of media as an advocacy tool. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"Women Vote in 12 States" Poster
Students analyze a poster for messages about state-by-state campaigning for women's suffrage laws and about pro-suffrage arguments to persuade male voters to vote for women's suffrage. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Women Win the Vote and Use It
Students analyze a 1920 League of Women Voters poster for messages encouraging women to exercise their right to vote and about symbols of democratic values. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Race and Equality in the Early Labor Movement
Students analyze a 19th century newspaper illustration for messages about African Americans in the early U.S. labor movement and about the artist's point of view on racial equality. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Women Fight for Social Justice: Then and Now
Students analyze 21st century posters and a book cover for messages about the intersection of women's rights with other social movements in the 19th century and now. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Images of Labor
Students analyze a 1980 poster for messages about labor history and techniques of construction. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
To Be Sold: Human Beings
Students analyze an 18th century slave auction poster for messages about the value of human beings and about the means and purposes of advertising humans as commodities to be sold. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
2004 Spin/Counter-Spin: Speeches, Articles, Ads & Websites
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing speeches, articles, ads and website post about the 2004 Bush Kerry campaigns for messages about political campaign spin and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: English Language ArtsUnit: 2000-2008 Targeting the Spin
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Individual, Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2000 News Photo of Handmade Signs
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a news photo of handmade citizen signs following the disputed lection results for messages about the disputed election and citizen expression.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
2000 Newsweek Sidebar "Faith is Busting Out All Over"
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a magazine sidebar about expressions of faith among primary candidates for messages about candidate appeals and religious faith.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2000 Where is the Salsa? Article
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a magazine article about candidate appeals to Latino voters for messages about target audience and race.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2000 Election Campaign Websites
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing the websites of Gore, Bush and Nader for messages about issues, candidate imagery and voter appeals.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: Economics & Social JusticeUnit: 2000-2008 Targeting the Spin
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2000 Convention Entrances
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing the convention entrances of each candidate to receive their party's nomination for messages about candidate imagery and voter appeals.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2000 Newsweek Cover, "The Winner Is..."
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a Newsweek cover following the disputed election results for messages about partisanship in media coverage and the disputed election.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
2000 Gore and Bush Intro to Saturday Night Live
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing clips from Saturday Night Live appearances by George W Bush and Al Gore for messages about reaching voters and candidate imagery.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2000 Saturday Night Live Debate Skit
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing clips from a Saturday Night Live skit about a 2000 debate between George W Bush and Al Gore for messages about candidate images and satire.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2000 Gore-Bush 1st Debate
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing clips from a 2000 debate between George W Bush and Al Gore for messages about economic issues and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
1992 Campaigns & Elections Magazine Cover
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a 1992 magazine cover about media campaigns for messages about reaching voters.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1984-1992 Mass Marketing the ImageKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1992 Time Cover, Clinton
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a 1992 magazine cover about the Clinton campaign for messages about attack and media bias.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1984-1992 Mass Marketing the ImageKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1992 Bush & Clinton's Arkansas Commercials
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing commercials from the 1992 Bush and Clinton campaign for messages about economics and attack.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1984-1992 Mass Marketing the ImageKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Individual, Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
1992 Bush What am I Fighting For Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a commercial from the 1992 Bush campaign for messages about economics and foreign policy.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1984-1992 Mass Marketing the ImageKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1992 Clinton Journey Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a commercial from the 1992 Clinton campaign for messages about image construction and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1984-1992 Mass Marketing the ImageKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1988 Dukakis Tank Ride Photo & Bush Dukakis Tank Ride Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a photograph from the 1988 Dukakis campaign and a commercial from the Bush campaign for messages about image construction and national security.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1984-1992 Mass Marketing the ImageKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
1988 Dukakis Packaging Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a commercial from the 1988 Dukakis campaign for messages about image construction in presidential campaigns.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1984-1992 Mass Marketing the ImageKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1988 Bush Revolving Door Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a commercial from the 1988 George Bush campaign for messages about race, fear and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1984-1992 Mass Marketing the ImageKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1988 Newsweek Cover, Jesse Jackson, and Poll Results
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a magazine cover and poll results about Jesse Jackson's 1988 campaign for messages about race and media bias.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1984-1992 Mass Marketing the ImageKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
1984 Reagan a Bear in the Woodside Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a 1984 campaign commercial for Ronald Reagan for messages about national security and fear.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1984-1992 Mass Marketing the ImageKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1984 Time Ferraro Interview
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an interview with 1984 vice-presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro for messages about gender and campaigning.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1984-1992 Mass Marketing the ImageKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
1984 Mondale "Trade Deficit" Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a 1984 campaign commercial for Walter Mondale for messages about economics and candidate imagery.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1984-1992 Mass Marketing the ImageKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1984 Reagan "Morning in America" TV Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a 1984 campaign commercial for Ronald Reagan for messages about economics and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1984-1992 Mass Marketing the ImageKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1984 Time Covers Reagan "Man of the Year"
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing to covers from Time magazine featuring Ronald Reagan as “Man of the Year†for messages about presidential image and historical context.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1984-1992 Mass Marketing the ImageKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1972 Photo of Campaign Workers with Brochures
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a news photo from the 1972 McGovern and Nixon campaigns for messages about reaching voters via street canvassing.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1968-1972 A Nation in CrisisKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1972 McGovern & Nixon Commercials
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing commercials from the 1972 McGovern and Nixon campaigns for messages about the Vietnam War.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1968-1972 A Nation in CrisisKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1968 Humphrey "Man on the Street" Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a commercial for the Humphrey campaign for messages about target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1968-1972 A Nation in CrisisKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1972 "Together with McGovern" Poster
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a post for the McGovern campaign for messages about diversity and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1968-1972 A Nation in CrisisKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1968 Wallace "Law and Order" Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a commercial for the George Wallace campaign for messages about race, fear and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1968-1972 A Nation in CrisisKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1968 Nixon "Law and Order" Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a commercial for the Nixon campaign for messages about target audience and law and order
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1968-1972 A Nation in CrisisKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1968 Robert Kennedy with Cesar Chavez Article
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a newspaper article about Robert Kennedy's support for Cesar Chavez War for messages about labor, Mexican Americans and media bias.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1968-1972 A Nation in CrisisKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
1968 Humphrey "Some Talk Change" Poster
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a poster for the Humphrey campaign for messages about target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1968-1972 A Nation in CrisisKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1968 "Nixon's the One" Poster
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a poster for the Nixon campaign for messages about target audience and youth.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1968-1972 A Nation in CrisisKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1968 LBJ and Vietnam Poster
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a poster about Lyndon B. Johnson's role in the Vietnam War for messages about presidential responsibility and artistic technique.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1968-1972 A Nation in CrisisKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1964 Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party Testimony
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a video of the televised testimony of Fannie Lou Hamer of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party testimony for messages about racism and voter suppression.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1952-1964 The Advent of TelevisionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
1964 Campaign Button Collage
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a collection of buttons from the 1964 Johnson and Goldwater campaigns for messages about attack and fear in Presidential campaigns.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1952-1964 The Advent of TelevisionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1964 Johnson "Daisy Girl" TV Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a TV commercial from the 1964 Johnson campaign for messages about nuclear war and foreign policy.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1952-1964 The Advent of TelevisionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1964 Goldwater "We Will Bury You" TV Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a TV commercial from the 1964 Goldwater campaign for messages about communism and foreign policy.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1952-1964 The Advent of TelevisionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1960 Race Against Communism Broadside
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a broadside from the 1960 Kennedy campaign for messages about communism and foreign policy.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1952-1964 The Advent of TelevisionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1960 Kennedy's Address to Ministerial Conference
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a speech from the 1960 Kennedy campaign to a group of ministers for messages about his Catholicism and religious tolerance.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1952-1964 The Advent of TelevisionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1960 Nixon-Kennedy Debate
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing a video clip with and without sound from the 1960 debate between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon for messages about candidate image and televised debates.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1952-1964 The Advent of TelevisionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
1952 Stevenson Photo and Buttons from '56
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a photograph and buttons from the 1952 Stevenson and Eisenhower campaigns for messages about candidate image.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1952-1964 The Advent of TelevisionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1952 "Vote Stevenson" TV Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a television commercial from the 1952 Stevenson campaign for messages about candidate image.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1952-1964 The Advent of TelevisionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1952 "Eisenhower Answers America" TV Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a television commercial from the 1952 Eisenhower campaign for messages about economics and candidate image.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1952-1964 The Advent of TelevisionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1952 Nixon Postcard
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a postcard from the 1952 Eisenhower campaign by vice president Nixon for messages about candidate image.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1952-1964 The Advent of TelevisionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1952 Nixon Checkers Speech
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a video of a speech from the 1952 Eisenhower campaign by vice president Nixon for messages about candidate image and early voter outreach via television.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1952-1964 The Advent of TelevisionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1944 FDR "Fala Speech"
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing the text of as speech from the 1944 Roosevelt campaign for messages about political attacks, target audience and labor.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1932-1944 The Personal PresidencyKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
1944 "Our Friend" Poster
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a poster from the 1944 Roosevelt campaign for messages about target audience and candidate imagery.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1932-1944 The Personal PresidencyKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1940 Willkie-Roosevelt Button Collage
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing buttons from the 1940 Roosevelt and Willkie campaigns for messages about reaching voters, political attack and Roosevelt's effort to gain a third term in office
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1932-1944 The Personal PresidencyKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
1940 FDR Poster and Willkie Sticker
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a poster from the 1940 Roosevelt campaign and a sticker from the Willkie campaign for messages about Franklin Roosevelt's effort to gain a third term in office.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1932-1944 The Personal PresidencyKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1932 "Don't Change Now" Poster
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a poster from the 1932 campaign for Herbert Hoover for messages about candidate imagery.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1932-1944 The Personal PresidencyKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1936 "Fireside Chat" Radio Clip
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a radio clip from a 1938 Fireside Chat by Franklin Roosevelt for messages about reaching voters via radio and free expression.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1932-1944 The Personal PresidencyKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1932 "The Girl I Love is a Democrat" Sheet Music
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a sheet music cover from the 1932 campaign for Franklin Roosevelt for messages about women, prohibition and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1932-1944 The Personal PresidencyKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1932 "Happy Days Are Here Again" Song
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a campaign song from the 1932 campaign for Franklin Roosevelt for messages about music as a means to promote a candidacy.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1932-1944 The Personal PresidencyKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1908 Taft Haying Photograph
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a photograph from the 1908 campaign for William Howard Taft for messages about candidate imagery and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1896 - 1908 The Modern CampaignKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1908 Commoner vs Plutocrat Postcard
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a postcard from the 1908 campaign for William Jennings Bryan for messages about candidate imagery and labor.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1896 - 1908 The Modern CampaignKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1908 "Taft-evelt" Poster and Photo of Taft & Roosevelt
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a poster from the 1908 campaign for William Howard Taft for messages about candidate imagery.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Introducing Africa: Critical Thinking and Media LiteracyUnit: 1896 - 1908 The Modern Campaign
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1904 Debs "Socialist Party" Poster
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a 1904 campaign poster for Eugene Debs for messages about labor and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Critical Thinking & Health: Nutrition and TV CommercialsPlaylist: Economics & Social Justice
Unit: 1896 - 1908 The Modern Campaign
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1904 Parker "Jeffersonian Principles" Poster
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a 1904 campaign poster for Alton Parker for messages about party platform and foreign policy.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Social JusticeUnit: 1896 - 1908 The Modern Campaign
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1900 McKinley/Roosevelt "Promises" Poster
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1900 campaign poster for William McKinley for messages about foreign policy, economics and fear.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: FingerlakesUnit: 1896 - 1908 The Modern Campaign
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1900 Bryan "The Issue-1900" Poster
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1900 campaign poster for William Jennings Bryan for messages about foreign policy, labor and economics.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and AgricultureUnit: 1896 - 1908 The Modern Campaign
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1896 McKinley "The Real Issue" Poster
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1896 campaign poster for William McKinley for messages about immigration and economics.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1896 - 1908 The Modern CampaignKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1896 McKinley Front Porch Visitors Photograph
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1896 campaign photo for William McKinley for messages about candidate image and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1896 - 1908 The Modern CampaignKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1896 Bryan "Cross of Gold" Poster
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1896 campaign poster for William Jennings Bryan for messages about economics, religion and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1896 - 1908 The Modern CampaignKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1872 Grant "The Working-Man's Banner"
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1872 campaign poster for Ulysses Grant for messages about candidate image and labor.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Martin Luther King, Jr.Unit: 1860-1872 Slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
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.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Economics in U.S. History: A Media Literacy KitUnit: 1860-1872 Slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1868 Democratic Parade Image
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an image of an 1868 Democratic parade for messages about technique and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle EastUnit: 1860-1872 Slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
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.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of War: A Critical Reading of HistoryUnit: 1860-1872 Slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1864 Four Newspaper Reports on the Gettysburg Address
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing newspaper coverage of the Gettysburg Address for messages about partisan news coverage and media bias.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: The U.S. at War and Peace: American Revolution to the War in IraqUnit: 1860-1872 Slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1864 Gettysburg Address
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing the Gettysburg Address for messages about preserving the union and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential CampaignsUnit: 1860-1872 Slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1860 Lincoln/Hamlin Campaign Poster
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a campaign poster from the 1860 Lincoln campaign for messages about party platform and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1860-1872 Slavery, Civil War and ReconstructionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1860 Lincoln Douglas Debates Image
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an illustration of the 1858 Lincoln Douglas debates for messages about candidate image and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1860-1872 Slavery, Civil War and ReconstructionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1860 Lincoln Douglas Debate Headline
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a newspaper headline from the the 1858 Lincoln Douglas debates for messages about partisan reporting and political attack.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1860-1872 Slavery, Civil War and ReconstructionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1840 "Rock-A-Bye Baby Daddy's a Whig" Song
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1840 campaign song about Martin Van Buren for messages about reaching voters and political attack.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: FingerlakesKit: Economics in U.S. History: A Media Literacy Kit
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Unit: 1828-1840 The Campaign as Spectacle
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1840 Democratic-Republican Party Newspaper Ad
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1840 Party newspaper advertisement about Martin Van Buren for messages about reaching voters and campaign imagery.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: FingerlakesKit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and Agriculture
Unit: 1828-1840 The Campaign as Spectacle
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
1828 Jackson on His Way to Washington
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1828 painting of Andrew Jackson on his way to Washington for messages about presidential appearance and reaching voters.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1828-1840 The Campaign as SpectacleKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1828 "The Hunters of Kentucky" Song
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1828 campaign song about Andrew Jackson for messages about target audience and presidential image making.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of War: A Critical Reading of HistoryUnit: 1828-1840 The Campaign as Spectacle
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1828 Coffin Handbill
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1828 handbill about Andrew Jacksons' war record for messages about political attacks.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1828-1840 The Campaign as SpectacleKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1828 "Little Wat Ye Wha's A-Comin" Song
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1828 campaign song about Andrew Jackson for messages about political attacks.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1828-1840 The Campaign as SpectacleKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1840 Tippecanoe and Tyler Too Song
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1840 campaign song about William Henry Harrison for messages about reaching voters and campaign imagery.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Economics in U.S. History: A Media Literacy KitUnit: 1828-1840 The Campaign as Spectacle
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2008 Economy Ads
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding Obama and McCain television advertisements on the economy for message and technique.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1800 Connecticut Courant Editorial
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1800 newspaper editorial for messages about religion and media bias.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1800 The Birth of CampaignsKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
1800 Jefferson Banner
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1800 banner for messages about Thomas Jefferson, target audience and purpose.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1800 The Birth of CampaignsKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1800 Letter from Alexander Hamilton
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1800 letter from Alexander Hamilton about John Adams for messages about Adams' qualifications to be president.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1800 The Birth of CampaignsKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
1800 Portrait of John Adams
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1800 portrait of John Adams for messages about purpose and technique.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1800 The Birth of CampaignsKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1800 Portrait of Thomas Jefferson
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1800 portrait of Thomas Jefferson for messages about purpose and historical context.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1800 The Birth of CampaignsKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1840 Quote from Baltimore Republican
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1840 newspaper characterization of William Henry Harrison for messages about political attacks and media bias.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1828-1840 The Campaign as SpectacleKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1840 The Log Cabin Newspaper Banner
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1840 newspaper banner for the William Henry Harrison campaign for messages about target audience and campaign imagery.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of the Middle EastUnit: 1828-1840 The Campaign as Spectacle
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1840 Whig Party Parade
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a drawing of an 1840 Whig Party parade William Henry Harrison campaign for messages about reaching voters and campaign imagery.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1828-1840 The Campaign as SpectacleKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1868 Harper's Weekly Cover, "The First Vote"
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a magazine cover on the first vote for African Americans following passage of the 15th Amendment for messages about voting rights, race and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Soviet History Through Posters: A Visual Literacy KitUnit: 1860-1872 Slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1956 Democratic Convention Program Cover
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a program cover from the 1956 Democratic Party convention for messages about target audience and appeals to family and patriotism.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1952-1964 The Advent of TelevisionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
2000 Biographical Films
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding Bush and Gore biographical films for message, historical context, target audience and purpose.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2000 Election Campaign Commercials
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing campaign ads from the 2000 Bush, Gore and Nader campaigns for messages about candidate image, economics and fear.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2000 Music Performances at Conventions
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson decoding Republican and Democratic convention performances for message and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2000 Newsmagazine Photos and Articles
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing newspaper articles about the 2000 Bush and Gore campaigns for messages about race and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
2004 Election Campaign Websites
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing candidate website postings from the 2004 campaign for messages about candidate values and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2004 Howard Dean Iowa Speech
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson decoding video and audio of a speech made by 2004 Democratic primary candidate Howard Dean for message, context and media representation.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2004 MoveOn.org "Child's Pay" Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing a political ad by a liberal advocacy group during the 2004 Bush Kerry campaigns for messages about economics and attack.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2004 Photo Ops and Counter Ops
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing a series of photos taken during during the 2004 Bush Kerry campaigns for messages about target audience, candidate imagery and attack.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2004 Swift Boat Veterans for Truth Commercial
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing a political ad by an anti-Kerry advocacy group during the 2004 Bush Kerry campaigns for messages about war, candidate honesty and attack.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2004 Targeting Latinos Commercials
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing commercials targeting Latino voters from the 2004 campaign for messages about cultural appeal and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2008 Biographical Films
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding Obama and McCain biographical films for message, historical context, target audience and purpose.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2008 Fear in TV Commercials
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding fear in campaign ads by Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain for messages about foreign policy, attack and fear.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: The U.S. at War and Peace: American Revolution to the War in IraqUnit: 2000-2008 Targeting the Spin
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2008 Historical Election Magazine Covers
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson decoding magazine covers related to Barack Obama's historic campaign to become the first African-American president for messages about imagery, target audience and historical context.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2008 Is Obama a Muslim? Sources & Credibility
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson decoding an email, blog post, newspaper story and website articles for messages about whether Barack Obama is a Muslim, sourcing and credibility.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: News Accuracy and CredibilityPlaylist: English Language Arts
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the Spin
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
2008 Political Satire or Libel?
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson decoding a New Yorker magazine cover depicting Barack and Michele Obama as radicals for messages about fear, stereotyping and satire.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Individual, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes
2008 Targeting Youth with New Media
Media literacy and critical thinking lessons decoding new media forms such as texting, phone apps, email and entertainment news programs for messages about the Obama campaign efforts to target young voters.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2016 Addressing Economic Inequality
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding website text from the Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders campaigns for message, rhetoric and effect.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: 2016 Presidential Campaign & The Trump PresidencyPlaylist: Economics & Social Justice
High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2016 Addressing National Security
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding campaign ads from the Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump campaigns for message, point of view, purpose and values.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: 2016 Presidential Campaign & The Trump PresidencyHigh School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2016 Appealing for Racial Justice
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding campaign ads from the Hillary Clinton & Donald Trump campaigns for message, point of view, target audience and purpose.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: 2016 Presidential Campaign & The Trump PresidencyHigh School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2016 Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding videos about the candidacies of Shirley Chisholm and Hillary Clinton for message, historical context, target audience and technique.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: 2016 Presidential Campaign & The Trump PresidencyHigh School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2016 Campaigning Leading to Fear
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding website images and text from articles about the suggestion that Donald Trump's candidacy causes fear among students for message, sourcing, credibility and bias.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: 2016 Presidential Campaign & The Trump PresidencyHigh School
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2016 Constructing Candidate Biography
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton film biographies for messages, point of view and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: 2016 Presidential Campaign & The Trump PresidencyHigh School
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2016 Ensuring Voting Rights
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding news videos about voting rights for message, point of view, credibility and bias.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: 2016 Presidential Campaign & The Trump PresidencyHigh School
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2016 Media Making the Candidate?
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding articles about the role of the media in creating Donald Trump's candidacy for the impact of media, bias and interpretation.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: 2016 Presidential Campaign & The Trump PresidencyHigh School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2016 Responding to Climate Change
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding Republican and Democratic Party platforms about climate change for message, structure and differentiating fact form opinion.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: 2016 Presidential Campaign & The Trump PresidencyHigh School
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2016 Targeting Messages on Immigration
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding two Donald Trump speeches on immigration for message, target audience and rhetorical technique.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: 2016 Presidential Campaign & The Trump PresidencyPlaylist: Global Studies
High School
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
Hillary Clinton: Dueling Cartoons
Students analyze editorial cartoons about Hillary Clinton for messages about women's identity as a political candidate and about the use of stereotypes in editorial cartooning. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
1800 "The Providential Detection" Cartoon
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1800 political cartoon for messages about Thomas Jefferson, religion and foreign policy.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1800 The Birth of CampaignsKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1832 King Andrew Handbill
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1832 handbill about Andrew Jackson for messages about political attacks and presidential power.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential CampaignsUnit: 1828-1840 The Campaign as Spectacle
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1832 Aristocrat/Workingman Cartoon
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1832 political cartoon about Andrew Jackson for messages about political imagery and target audience.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1828-1840 The Campaign as SpectacleKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
15-30 Minutes
1860 Douglas "Taking the Stump" Cartoon
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a political cartoon from the 1860 Lincoln/Douglas campaign for messages about reaching voters and campaign stumping.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1860-1872 Slavery, Civil War and ReconstructionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1868 "White Man's Government" Nast Cartoon
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1868 political cartoon for messages about suppression of voting rights for African Americans.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Introducing Africa: Critical Thinking and Media LiteracyUnit: 1860-1872 Slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1872 "Greeley and Tweed" Nast Cartoon
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a political cartoon attacking Horace Greeley for messages about political corruption and scandal.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential CampaignsUnit: 1860-1872 Slavery, Civil War and Reconstruction
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1900 McKinley and Millionaire Advisor Cartoon
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing an 1900 political cartoon about William McKinley for messages about ethics and the influence of campaign contributions.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential CampaignsUnit: 1896 - 1908 The Modern Campaign
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1904 Photo of Roosevelt Stumping and "Teddy's Teeth" Ad
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a photo and an ad in the 1904 campaign for Theodore Roosevelt for messages about candidate imagery and reaching voters.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1896 - 1908 The Modern CampaignKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1904 Teddy Roosevelt "New Diplomacy" Cartoon
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a political cartoon from the 1904 campaign for Theodore Roosevelt for messages about foreign policy and race.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Kit: Causes of the American RevolutionUnit: 1896 - 1908 The Modern Campaign
Kit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1936 "Makers of History" Cartoon
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a political cartoon from the 1936 campaign for messages about Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1932-1944 The Personal PresidencyKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1936 "An Attack on the New Deal" Cartoon
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a political cartoon from the 1936 campaign for messages about the New Deal and Franklin Roosevelt.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1932-1944 The Personal PresidencyKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
1956 Republican Comic Book
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a comic book spread from the 1956 Republican Party for messages about target audience and appeals to women.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1952-1964 The Advent of TelevisionKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
1972 "Landslide" Cartoon
Media literacy and critical thinking activity analyzing a political cartoon from the 1972 Nixon campaign for messages about media bias and political scandal.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 1968-1972 A Nation in CrisisKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
Under 15 Minutes
2004 Doonesbury & Boondocks Comic Strips
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing Doonesbury & Boondocks comic strips from the 2004 campaign about Bush and Kerry for messages about issues, candidate imagery and satire.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Pair, Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2008 Hillary Clinton & Sarah Palin in Cartoons & Posters
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson decoding editorial cartoons and a poster about Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin for messages about sexism and satire.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
2000 Comic Strips
Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing Doonesbury & Boondocks comic strips from the 2000 campaign about Bush and Gore for messages about issues, candidate imagery and satire.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Unit: 2000-2008 Targeting the SpinKit: Media Constructions of Presidential Campaigns
High School, College
Individual, Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes
2016 Satirizing Women Candidates
Media literacy and critical thinking activity decoding political cartoons about the Hillary Clinton and Victoria Woodhull campaigns for message, historical context and purpose.
This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:
Playlist: 2016 Presidential Campaign & The Trump PresidencyHigh School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes
Anti-Suffrage Editorial Cartoon
Students analyze an anti-suffrage cartoon for messages about point of view and pro-suffrage tactics. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Anti-Suffrage Media Forms and Arguments
Students analyze a poster, an editorial card and a stereo card for messages about media forms used to further anti-suffrage arguments. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Hear Our Voices”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
The Workingman's Investment
Students analyze an editorial cartoon for messages about union membership and about editorial points of view in political cartooning. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Immigrant Labor Editorial Cartoon
Students analyze an editorial cartoon for messages about economic choices to hire immigrant labor and about editorial points of view in political cartooning. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Negro Labor, White Labor,” Editorial Cartoon
Students analyze a 1922 editorial cartoon for messages about race relations in the workplace and about media portrayals of "labor agitators." This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Which Side Are You On?” To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
The Montgomery Bus Boycott: Different Interpretations
Students analyze two comic book covers from 1957 & 2007 for messages about the role of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others in the Montgomery bus boycott and about historical context. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Violence and Social Justice: Two Cartoonists' Views
Students analyze two editorial cartoons for messages about violence in the civil rights/Black Freedom movement and about the expression of political opinions in editorial cartooning. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Challenging White Supremacy." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Feminist Stereotyping in Comic Books
Students analyze a comic book cover for messages about young feminists' gender identity and about stereotypes. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Claiming Feminist Identities." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Uncle Sam & Immigration: Dueling Cartoons
Students analyze editorial cartoons from 1903 for messages supporting or opposing immigration and about the representation of implied values in editorial cartooning. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “The Law of Immigration." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Immigration Reform: Dueling Cartoons
Students analyze two editorial cartoons for messages about immigration reform proposals and about the purposes of editorial cartoons. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “The Law of Immigration." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
A Native American Views Immigrants Editorial Cartoon
Students analyze an editorial cartoon for messages about who is an immigrant and about the use of irony in editorial cartoons. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “The Law of Immigration." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“Hate Group / Tolerant Group” Editorial Cartoon
Students analyze an editorial cartoon for messages about tolerance between Christians and the LGBTQ community and about irony and caricature in editorial cartoons. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Out and Affirmed." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Gays in the Military Editorial Cartoons
Students analyze two editorial cartoons for messages about gay service members in the military and about the role of editorial cartoons in shaping public opinion. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Out and Affirmed." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
“And Justice For All": Racial Bias in Death Penalty Sentencing
Students analyze an editorial cartoon for messages about public opinion on racial bias and the death penalty and about cartoonists' editorial choices. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Prisons - Justice or Injustice?." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Fossil Fuel Pipelines: Editorial Cartoons
Students analyze editorial cartoons for messages about fossil fuel pipelines and about credibility and technique in editorial cartooning. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"The American People" - Rachel Carson & Ronald Reagan in an Editorial Cartoon
Students analyze an editorial cartoon for messages about Rachel Carson, Ronald Reagan and about historical context in political cartooning.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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"DDT: For Good or Ill?" Editorial Cartoon
Students analyze an editorial cartoon for messages about DDT, viruses and about stereotyping in political cartooning.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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Endangered Species Act: Different Points of View
Students analyze an editorial cartoon, a webpage and a children's book cover for messages about the Endangered Species Act and target audiences. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
Endangered Peoples: Multiple Perspectives
Students analyze a DVD cover, a cartoon and a book cover for messages about people as endangered species and about techniques and interpretations in media messages. 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.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"White (?) Man’s Burden" & "Civilization Begins At Home" editorial cartoons and the U.S. War in the Philippines
Students analyze 2 editorial cartoons for messages about U.S. colonization in the Philippines and about stereotypes in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Questioning Manifest Destiny”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes
"A Long Time Ago & Today" Comic Book Panel
Students analyze a comic book panel for messages about conquistadors, Ronald Reagan's support for the El Salvadoran military and about target audience in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Friend or Foe?”. To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.
Middle School, High School, College
Under 15 Minutes