Media Literacy and Journalism Lessons

Our Media Literacy and Journalism Lessons can help students think critically about the media they consume and about the way media is created and shared. There are also resources that explore the topics of responsible media production and journalism resources, as well as a lesson specifically focused on “fake news.” Best for grades 6 to 12.

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These Media Literacy and Journalism Lessons can be used for Government, Media Literacy, Journalism, Social Studies classes and more.

Film poster for Crip Camp, showing a young Black man holding a guitar over his shoulder, pushing a young white man's wheelchair at Camp Jened.Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution

Media Literacy: Understanding What You Are Watching explores forms of media and media literacy, how to interpret and analyze media, and why multiple stories and voices are valuable. For Grades 11-12.

This lesson includes four printable handouts: Different Kinds of Media, Core Questions about Media, Media for Analysis, Images for Analysis.

Accessibility options: The Crip Camp trailer is available with audio description. The full Crip Camp film is available with closed captioning, open captions, audio description, and subtitles, in multiple languages.

Film rating: R for brief nudity, brief language and some sexual references. CommonSense Media Rating: 15+. Get more Crip Camp resources plus information about how to watch the film.

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The film poster for Defiant Requiem, showing from behind a man seated at a piano, facing a standing group of singers. Barbed wire runs across the top over sheet music, followed by text that says: Art was their weapon. Music, their resistance. Defiant Requiem."Defiant Requiem

Propaganda explores the way propaganda influences audiences, propaganda in times of crisis, and the specific use of propaganda during the Holocaust. For middle school and up.

The lesson includes five printable handouts: WWII Propaganda, Guide for Discussion Leaders, Contemporary Propaganda, Moving Images, The Purpose of Propaganda.

Film rating: TVPG. Most appropriate for Grades 6+. Get more Defiant Requiem resources plus information about how to watch the film.

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Film poster for Gabby Giffords Won't Back Down. Giffords, a middle aged white woman in a blue suit and glasses, speaks joyfully, her arm outstretched, at a blue podium in front of the red and white stripes of a huge American flag.Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down

Media Responsibility explores how to check if a media source is accurate. For grades 8 and up.

This lesson includes useful terms, personal reflection questions (that could be used for journaling or short essays), discussion questions and extension activities.

Film rating: PG-13. CommonSense Media Rating: 13+.

Get more Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down resources plus information about how to watch the film.

Preview Media Responsibility Lesson Preview Media Responsibility Lesson in Spanish

 

Film poster for Navalny, showing a silhouette of Alexei Navalny, his collar turned up, facing left. At the top, the skyline of the Moscow Kremlin hangs upside-down in an ominous mirror image. The star-capped Vodovzvodnaya Tower points down directly at Navalny’s head. Text says: "Poison always leaves a trail."Navalny

Data Tracking, State Surveillance, and the Role of Journalism asks: Is it possible for data tracking to be used for justice without compromising individual privacy?

Social Media, Censorship, and Propaganda explores how to consume informational critically.

These resources include useful terms, personal reflection questions (that could be used for journaling or short essays), discussion questions and extension activities. The two lessons can be used together or on their own. For high school.

Film rating: R for language. CommonSense Media Rating: 14+.

Get more Navalny resources plus information about how to watch the film.

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The film poster for The Cup, showing a group of Tibetan Buddhist monks in saffron robes running forward joyfully in front of a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. A boy monk in front carries a soccer ball. Text at the top above the title says: "Buddhism is their philosophy. Soccer is their religion."The Cup

The Politics of Production  This lesson focuses explores budget constraints and filmmaking, new technologies, and bias in the media. For grades 6-8, adaptable for higher grades.

This lesson features four key activities: Exploring Point of View, Values, Stereotypes, and Writers Pitch to Producers (Simulation). The Writers Pitch exercise includes an assessment rubric for the pitch activity and a printable handout to help students craft their pitch.

Film rating: G. This film is appropriate for all ages! Get more The Cup resources plus information about how to watch the film.

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Film poster for The Post, showing Meryl Streep as Kay Graham, in a 1970s newsroom addressing Tom Hanks as Ben Bradlee.The Post

Journalism and Fake News explores “fake news”, ethical journalism, evaluating the news, and social media. For grades 9-10.

The lesson features four printable handouts: Spotting Fake News. The Five Principles of Ethical Journalism, Organizer for News Outlet Presentation, News Outlet Rating.

Why is the Free Press So Important? examines American press freedom, press freedom around the world, and editorial challenges to freedom of the press. For grades 9-10.

The lesson includes three printable handouts: Why is a Free Press so Important?, Press Freedom Around the World, Outlining an Editorial.

Film rating: PG-13. Common Sense Media rates The Post as appropriate for ages 13+. Get more The Post resources plus information about how to watch the film.

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Royal blue background with white 16 in the upper left hand corner. Text beside it, white, reads: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. Central image, all white, is a dove with an olive branch in its beak, legs resting on a gavel.

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