Lesson Plan
Credibility Detective Plan
Students will evaluate a news or social post using a source checklist, identify two credibility signals and one red flag, and decide whether to trust, verify, or discard.
In today's digital world, it's essential for students to be able to critically evaluate the information they encounter online. This lesson provides practical tools and strategies to help students become media-literate citizens.
Audience
10th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Students will learn key concepts, apply a checklist, and make informed decisions.
Materials
Spot the Signals Slides (#spot-the-signals-slides), Source Cards Rapid Sort (#source-cards-rapid-sort), CRAAP/3C Source Checklist (#craap-3c-source-checklist), and Exit Ticket Trust, Verify, or Discard (#exit-ticket-trust-verify-discard)
Prep
Review Materials and Prepare Source Cards
15 minutes
- Review the Credibility Detective Plan and all linked materials to familiarize yourself with the lesson content and flow.
- Prepare the Spot the Signals Slides for projection.
- Print and cut out the Source Cards Rapid Sort for student groups.
- Make copies of the CRAAP/3C Source Checklist for each student or group.
- Prepare copies of the Exit Ticket Trust, Verify, or Discard for the end of class.
Step 1
Warm Up: Headline Hunch
5 minutes
- Display a provocative or ambiguous headline (without its source).
* Ask students: "What's your initial 'hunch' about this headline? Do you trust it? Why or why not? Justify your quick thought in one sentence."
* Briefly discuss a few responses, highlighting the importance of looking beyond the headline.
Step 2
Mini-Lesson: Credibility Signals, Bias, and Corroboration
10 minutes
- Present the Spot the Signals Slides, focusing on:
* Credibility Signals: What makes a source seem trustworthy (e.g., author expertise, reputable publication, evidence-based content).
* Red Flags: What makes a source seem untrustworthy (e.g., extreme bias, lack of evidence, sensationalism).
* Bias: Explain different types of bias and how to recognize them.
* Corroboration: Emphasize the importance of verifying information with multiple sources.
* Introduce the CRAAP/3C Source Checklist as a tool for evaluation, explaining each component briefly.
Step 3
Activity: Source Cards Rapid Sort
8 minutes
- Divide students into small groups.
* Distribute the Source Cards Rapid Sort and copies of the CRAAP/3C Source Checklist.
* Instruct groups to rapidly sort through the source cards, using the checklist to identify potential credibility signals and red flags for each source. They don't need to complete the entire checklist for every card, but rather use it as a guide for initial evaluation.
* Circulate to provide guidance and answer questions.
Step 4
Small-Group Decision: Trust, Verify, or Discard
5 minutes
- Ask each group to select one or two source cards they found particularly interesting or challenging.
* Based on their rapid sort and the checklist, have them decide for each chosen card whether they would Trust, Verify (look for more info), or Discard the source entirely.
* Each group should be prepared to briefly justify their rationale, pointing out at least one credibility signal and one red flag they observed.
Step 5
Cool Down: Exit Ticket
2 minutes
- Distribute the Exit Ticket Trust, Verify, or Discard.
* Students will answer the prompt: "Name one red flag you'll watch for when evaluating news or social media posts in the future."
* Collect exit tickets as students leave to gauge understanding.
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Slide Deck
Fact or Trap? You Be the Credibility Detective!
Today's Mission:
Learn to uncover the truth behind headlines and posts!
Welcome students to the lesson. Engage them with the intriguing title. Briefly explain that today they'll become 'credibility detectives.'
What's a Credibility Detective?
Our world is full of information. Some of it is helpful, some is entertaining, and some... well, some is a 'trap'!
Your job: To figure out what information you can trust, what you need to verify, and what you should discard.
Ask students what 'credibility' means to them. Connect it to trusting information. Explain that we'll learn to look for 'signals' and 'red flags.'
Credibility Signals: What to Look For
These are the clues that tell you a source might be trustworthy:
- Expert Author: Is the writer knowledgeable on the topic?
- Reputable Source: Is it a well-known, respected publication?
- Evidence-Based: Does it provide facts, data, or research?
- Clear Language: Is it well-written and free of major errors?
- Balanced View (usually): Does it present different sides, or acknowledge complexities?
Introduce the idea of positive indicators. Discuss common elements that suggest a source is reliable. Give examples for each.
Red Flags: Warning Signs of a Trap!
These are the signs that should make you pause and question a source:
- Extreme Language: Lots of emotional words, ALL CAPS, exclamation points.
- No Evidence: Claims made without any facts or sources to back them up.
- Obvious Bias: Only presenting one side of a story in a very strong way.
- Outdated Info: Is the information still relevant or has it been disproven?
- Clickbait Titles: Headlines designed to shock you into clicking, often misleading.
- Anonymous Source: Who wrote this? If you can't tell, be wary.
Now introduce the warning signs. Explain how these can trick us. Give contrasting examples to the credibility signals.
Bias & Corroboration: Two Sides of the Story
Bias
- Every person and every source has a point of view. That's bias!
- It's not always bad, but it's important to recognize what a source's bias is.
- Ask: What is this source trying to convince me of? Who benefits from this information?
Corroboration
- This means checking if other reliable sources say the same thing.
- If only one source is reporting something, especially something big, be skeptical!
- Ask: Do multiple credible sources agree on these facts?
Explain that everyone has a perspective, and that's okay, but it's important to recognize it. Corroboration is the antidote to bias – checking multiple sources.
Your Detective Tool: The Source Checklist
To help you on your mission, you'll use a special checklist.
It helps you systematically look for those credibility signals and red flags.
Think of it as your magnifying glass and notebook for investigating sources!
Introduce the checklist as their detective tool. Briefly mention CRAAP and 3C, but the worksheet will go into detail.
Activity
Source Cards Rapid Sort
Instructions: In your groups, quickly review each source card. Discuss what credibility signals you see and what red flags make you pause. Use your CRAAP/3C Source Checklist as a guide to make a quick decision: Trust, Verify, or Discard.
Source Card 1
Headline/Statement: "BREAKING: Scientists Discover Coffee Cures All Diseases Overnight!"
Source Description: A post from a personal blog called "HealthGuru101" with many exclamation points and a photo of a celebrity endorsing the claim. No links to scientific studies.
Source Card 2
Headline/Statement: "New Study Links Daily Exercise to Improved Cognitive Function in Teens."
Source Description: An article published on the website of the Journal of Adolescent Health, citing a peer-reviewed study conducted by researchers at a major university. Includes direct quotes from lead researchers and links to the full study.
Source Card 3
Headline/Statement: "Local Restaurant Owner Blames City Council for Decreased Business."
Source Description: A quote from a local newspaper article (The Daily Gazette) featuring an interview with a restaurant owner and a city council member discussing the impact of new zoning laws. The article includes perspectives from both sides.
Source Card 4
Headline/Statement: "You Won't BELIEVE What Happens When You Eat ONLY [Trendy Food]!"
Source Description: A sponsored ad on a social media feed with a highly sensationalized image and a link to a product sales page. The author is listed as "Anonymous Health Advocate."
Source Card 5
Headline/Statement: "NASA Confirms Discovery of Water on Mars."
Source Description: A press release posted on NASA's official website, accompanied by scientific images and data collected by the Mars rover. The release is dated two years ago.
Source Card 6
Headline/Statement: "Why Our School Is Failing: A Student's Perspective."
Source Description: An opinion piece written by a current student and published in the school newspaper. It details personal experiences and observations about school resources and policies.
Worksheet
CRAAP / 3C Source Checklist: Your Credibility Detective Tool
Instructions: Use this checklist to help you evaluate news articles, social media posts, and other sources of information. For each source, answer the questions below. This will help you decide whether to Trust, Verify, or Discard the information.
1. CRAAP Test
Currency: Timeliness of the information
- When was the information published or posted? Is it current enough for your topic?
- Has the information been revised or updated?
Relevance: Importance of the information for your needs
- Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
- Who is the intended audience? Is it appropriate for your needs?
Authority: Source of the information
- Who is the author/creator/publisher? What are their qualifications or expertise?
- Is there contact information? What does the URL tell you about the source (e.g., .edu, .gov, .org, .com)?
Accuracy: Truthfulness and correctness of the content
- Where does the information come from? Is it supported by evidence?
- Can you verify any of the information in other sources? Is the language unbiased and free of emotion?
Purpose: Reason the information exists
- What is the purpose of the information (to inform, teach, sell, entertain, persuade)?
- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases? (Bias isn't always bad, but it's important to recognize it!)
2. The 3 C's Approach
Consider the Source
- Who made this? What do you know about them?
- What is their motivation for sharing this information?
Check Other Sources
- What do other sources say about this topic?
- Are multiple credible sources reporting similar information?
Corroborate Claims
- Can you find evidence from other reliable sources that supports the claims made here?
- If something sounds too good (or bad) to be true, it probably needs corroboration.
Your Decision
After using the checklist, what is your overall decision about this source?
- Trust: I am confident in this source and its information.
- Verify: I need to look for more information or cross-reference with other sources before deciding.
- Discard: I do not find this source credible and will not use its information.
Justify your decision by pointing out at least two credibility signals and one red flag you observed:
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: Your Credibility Compass
Instructions: Before you leave, please answer the following question based on what you learned today:
Name one red flag you'll watch for when evaluating news or social media posts in the future.