Media Smarts
The Citizen Reporter
Ripped from the headlines! Discuss topical social issues like racism, discrimination, and diversity while exploring the concept of citizen journalism. Begin with a professional-looking presentation on the history of citizen journalism....
Media Smarts
The Newspaper Front Page
Hot off the presses! A perfect instructional activity idea for a journalism class or even a language arts class looking to incorporate some informational texts. Young writers analyze the front pages of various newspapers to determine the...
Media Smarts
Marketing to Teens: Gender Roles in Advertising
Young learners explore gender roles in advertising by taking an ad campaign they have seen which is specifically directed to one gender, and redesigning the campaign to target the opposite gender. After leading a guided discussion about...
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News Journalism Across the Media: Introduction
Although students are aware of news as information that influences their perceptions of the world, they are often unaware of the various ways to present that information. Encourage them to investigate, discuss, analyze and make valuable...
Media Smarts
Definitions and Comments about the News
Enable your class to construct a definition of the word "news" and compare it those provided from other sources. The activity, worksheet, and discussion that ensues would make a strong introduction to any media study you undertake.
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Student Opinion: How Impulsive Are You?
Sure to spark lively discussion in any Language Arts classroom, this article from The York Times asks the question, 'How much self-control do you have?'. Pupils begin by reading a short passage about a study on delayed gratification and...
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Student Opinion: Do You Spend Too Much Time on Smart Phones Playing 'Stupid Games'?
This versatile resource from The New York Times website provides a short opinion piece on smart phones and the amount of time we spend playing games on them as well as several possible writing prompts pupils could consider in response to...
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Risk Communication: Media Presentation Exercise
Young scholars work in groups to prepare a brief broadcast or print news report from one of five possible viewpoints about an environmental contamination scenario. Students are given basic information about a chemical spill in a small...
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All the News That's Fit to Click: Analyzing New York Times Design
Explore the New York Times, online and in print. Partners take the roles of reader and monitor while each peruses the newspaper. Discussion questions compare the online version to a hard copy print edition. Links provide comparison of...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: What's Replacing Our Newspapers?
What is happening to print media? Use this political cartoon analysis handout to facilitate pupil exploration of the online-media takeover and the decline of newspapers. Background information gives them context, and 3 talking points...
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Lesson 3: Writing a News Story
Start a writing lesson by examining a news video that explains writing clearly, concisely, and correctly. Learners consider the importance of writing news properly to avoid breaking the law, then write their own weekend news stories.
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Newspapers
Here is an engaging and thought-provoking presentation on newspapers. Learners identify different types of text, study layouts, look at common features, and differentiate between fact and opinion in newspapers. Photos are included, and a...
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Fact Or Opinion
Groups of junior highers find newspaper articles which contain both facts and opinions, and present examples of each to the class. The focus is on discerning between fact and opinion. Two excellent worksheets are embedded in the plan...
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Newspaper Articles
Although brief, this presentation provides valuable practice for pupils in the reading and understanding of various newspaper headlines. They make predictions of what's happening based on the headline itself. Very nice!
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Newspaper Crafts
Here are a couple of unique ways to utilize old newspapers in school in the form of an arts and crafts project. The first is a smile umbrella made out of newspaper, the second requires learners to look through newspapers or magazines to...
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Are We Scaring Ourselves to Death?
Interesting! Have your high schoolers watch this 13-minute clip from the documentay, "Are We Scaring Ourselves to Death?" It examines the fear we have as a culture about death and whether or not the media increases those fears. The focus...
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Radio News
Part of a larger unit from the Media Awareness Network on media literacy, this particular lesson plan focuses on the medium of news radio. Small groups participate in discussions on their radio listening habits as well as the...
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News Quiz | July 29, 2011
Kids are asked to first see what they know about news events from July 29, 2011. They are then asked to scan the paper and answer five questions. A good way to keep up on the daily news.
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News Quiz | Aug. 18, 2011
Take the time to review the daily news with your class. They can peruse the August 18, 2011 edition of the New York Times, before answering a five-question quiz. Current events, check!
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News Quiz | May 23, 2011
Reading the daily newspaper is a wonderful way to stay informed on current events and world happenings. After scanning the May 23, 2011 edition of the New York Times, kids can take a fun quiz. A great way to stay on top of hot topics.
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News Quiz | Dec. 5, 2011
The New York Times December 5, 2011 edition, is ready to read. Kids plunge head-long into the paper and then use what they know to take a five question quiz. The quiz can be printed or taken online.
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News Quiz | Feb. 9, 2012
Buddy up to the stories in the February 9, 2012 edition of the New York Times. Kids get to know top headlines as they read or scan each article. When they are ready the take the five-question multiple choice quiz.
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News Quiz | Sep. 20, 2011
Reading the paper is like eating oatmeal, it's a great way to start the day! Kids dig into the September 20, 2011 edition of the New York Times and then take a short multiple choice quiz. The quiz can be completed in print or online.
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News Quiz | Jan. 4, 2012
What does your class know about the stories in today's paper? They read the articles and top headlines in the January 4, 2012 edition of the New York Times and then take a short quiz. The quiz contains five questions and can be done...