Media Smarts
Violence on Television
Focus on a specific incident of violence on television in the case of the Canadian Broadcast System showing Silence of the Lambs on public television. Look at the broadcasting codes and a complaint that was filed against the Association....
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...
Media Smarts
Television Broadcast Ratings
Explore the relationships between programming, advertising, and the ensuing rating wars. Help develop the media smarts of your pupils through this examination of advertisers for popular shows. Although the included Sweep Chart features...
Media Smarts
Learning Gender Stereotypes
How do media representations influence our attitudes? Examining advertisements through the filter of gender representation forms the basis of this, the second of three lessons that address gender stereotypes. Resources include links,...
Media Smarts
Scripting a Crime Drama
Develop novice script-writers. Small groups sift through a sample script, noting any script-writing conventions to share with the whole class. Using these conventions and plot structures, these groups compose a script for a 10-minute...
Media Smarts
Marketing to Teens: Talking Back
Teach your class to talk back in a constructive and respectful way. This focuses in particular on talking back to the media and to advertisers when they have concerns. Learners participate in a brainstorm and then compose letters or...
Media Smarts
Online Propaganda and the Proliferation of Hate
After thoroughly examining the purposes and techniques of propaganda, your class will create and curate a Propaganda Museum to display and deconstruct original works of propaganda. Materials include propaganda techniques vocabulary, a...
Media Smarts
Facing TV Violence: Consequences and Media Violence
Make your class aware of the difference between media violence and real violence. Using prior knowledge, a video clip, and a worksheet, class members explore and discuss the unrealistic portrayal of violence in the media. Learners...
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.
Media Smarts
Don't Drink and Drive: Assessing the Effectiveness of Anti-Drinking Campaigns
Have your class explore alcohol awareness public service announcements. Provided are a detailed plan and a complete set of materials for doing just this. Learners are exposed to a series of approaches and advertisements and decide which...
Media Smarts
Fact versus Opinion
Part of a series aimed at breaking down cultural bias from the Canadian Media Awareness Network, this activity identifies where opinions do and don't belong in a newspaper. Pupils review handouts about the purpose of editorial comments...
Media Smarts
Teaching TV: Learning With Television
As part of a series of resources focused on the influence of television, elementary students watch an educational program and identify the information presented and analyze the point of view from which the information is presented.
Media Smarts
Introduction to Cyberbullying — Avatars and Identity
Students explore the nature of cyberbullying. In this cyber ethics lesson, students discuss common online and cyber communication courtesies. Students role-play cyber etiquette, read literature regarding bullies, and discuss methods of...
Media Smarts
Marketing to Teens: Alternate Ads
Did you know that Coke can teach the world to sing in perfect harmony? Learners develop an awareness of more subtle, less obvious methods advertisers use to reach consumers. Included is a list of related lessons available on the Media...
Media Smarts
Making Media for Democratic Citizenship
Pupils analyze global issues. In this video podcasting lesson plan, pupils research Internet and print sources regarding selected global development issues. Pupils plan and create video podcasts that feature their research findings.
Media Smarts
Be Web Aware : Excessive Internet Use
This informative article looks into the concern that some teens spend excessive time using the internet and have become addicted to it. Online video and gaming concerns and tips for parents are included.
Media Smarts
Be Web Aware : Cyberbullying
An informative resource about all aspects of cyberbullying. Learn what it is, why it happens and what adults can do to help young people cope with online bullying.
Media Smarts
Media Awareness Network
The Media Awareness Network (MNet) "promotes media and Internet education by producing online programs and resources". MNet provide resources pertaining to blog & news, media issues, research, educational games, and special initiatives.
Media Smarts
Media Smarts
Canada's Centre for Digital and Media Literacy provides resources regarding media violence, media stereotyping, online hate, and information privacy. Each article is available in English and French.
Media Smarts
Media Awareness Network: Tv's Impact on Kids
An informative site about the effects of TV on kids. Areas such as violence, sex, good things about TV, ,and special teen issues are also discussed.
Media Smarts
Media Awareness Network: Allies and Aliens: A Mission in Critical Thinking
This interactive module for Grades 7 and 8 is designed to increase students' ability to recognize bias, prejudice, and hate propaganda on the Internet and in other media. Includes an extensive teacher's guide.
Media Smarts
Media Awareness Network: Co Co's Adver Smarts
Co-Co's AdverSmarts is an interactive unit whose purpose is to help children ages five through eight recognize marketing techniques used on websites that target them. As kids assist in designing the new Co-Co Crunch website, Co-Co...