Lesson Plan
Mindful Media: Navigating Online Narratives
Students will develop critical thinking skills to analyze and interpret online information, identify reliable sources, differentiate between fact and opinion, and practice mindful engagement with social media and news.
This lesson is crucial for fostering digital literacy and emotional resilience in an increasingly complex online world, helping students navigate information critically and protect their well-being.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive analysis of media examples, group discussions, and personal reflection exercises.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Mindful Media Slides, Fact vs. Opinion Worksheet, Digital Wellbeing Discussion Prompts, Pens/Pencils, and Notebooks/Paper
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review all generated materials: Mindful Media Lesson Plan, Mindful Media Slides, Fact vs. Opinion Worksheet, and Digital Wellbeing Discussion Prompts.
- Ensure projector/smartboard is functional.
- Print enough copies of the Fact vs. Opinion Worksheet for all students.
- Prepare an example of a social media post or news headline (either reliable or unreliable) to use for the 'Hook'.
Step 1
Introduction & Hook: What's Your Media Mood?
10 minutes
- Display Slide 2 (Hook: What's Your Media Mood?) and begin with an engaging question about how students feel after consuming online content.
2. Share a prepared example of a social media post or news headline. Ask students if they immediately trust it and why or why not.
3. Introduce the lesson's objective using the Mindful Media Slides (Slide 3). Explain the importance of navigating online narratives thoughtfully.
Step 2
Understanding Online Narratives: Fact vs. Opinion
15 minutes
- Transition to Mindful Media Slides (Slide 4: Fact vs. Opinion) and lead a brief discussion on the differences.
2. Distribute the Fact vs. Opinion Worksheet. Instruct students to work individually or in pairs to analyze the provided statements.
3. Review answers as a class, encouraging students to justify their reasoning. (Slides 5-6)
Step 3
Identifying Reliable Sources & Bias
15 minutes
- Present Mindful Media Slides (Slide 7: Reliable Sources & Bias). Discuss key indicators of reliable sources and common types of bias.
2. Interactive Activity: Media Detective (referencing Mindful Media Activity). Project different online examples (news articles, social media posts) from slides 8-10. As a class, analyze each for reliability and potential bias, using the learned indicators.
3. Encourage student participation by asking probing questions like 'What makes this source credible?' or 'Where might bias be present here?'
Step 4
Mindful Engagement: Your Digital Wellbeing
15 minutes
- Shift to Mindful Media Slides (Slide 11: Mindful Engagement). Facilitate a discussion on how online content impacts emotions and self-perception.
2. Divide students into small groups and provide them with the Digital Wellbeing Discussion Prompts.
3. Allow 5-7 minutes for group discussion, then bring the class back together to share key takeaways and strategies for mindful engagement. (Slides 12-13)
Step 5
Conclusion & Reflection: Your Mindful Media Pledge
5 minutes
- Conclude with Mindful Media Slides (Slide 14: Your Mindful Media Pledge). Ask students to reflect on one strategy they will commit to for mindful media engagement.
2. Encourage brief sharing of pledges if time permits.
3. Assign a short reflective journal entry as homework, asking students to elaborate on their pledge and its importance. (Refer to a Mindful Media Journal if created later).
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Slide Deck
What's Your Media Mood?
How does online content make you feel?
- Inspired or informed?
- Anxious or confused?
- Skeptical or trusting?
Start by asking students how they typically feel after spending time online. What kind of content makes them feel good, and what makes them feel anxious or misinformed? Use a prepared example of a social media post or news headline to spark initial thoughts on trust and skepticism.
Navigating Online Narratives
Our Goal Today:
- Develop critical thinking for online information
- Identify reliable sources
- Differentiate fact from opinion
- Practice mindful engagement for digital wellbeing
Introduce the lesson's main objective: developing critical thinking for online content. Emphasize that this isn't about avoiding the internet, but about using it wisely and for their well-being.
Fact vs. Opinion: Know the Difference
Fact:
- Can be proven true or false
- Based on evidence, data, or observation
Opinion:
- A personal belief, feeling, or judgment
- May or may not be based on facts
- Often expressed using words like 'I think,' 'I believe,' 'best,' 'worst'
Clearly define fact and opinion. Give simple, relatable examples before diving into the worksheet. Remind students that opinions are not necessarily wrong, but they are not facts.
Fact or Opinion? Let's Practice!
Statement 1: "The Earth revolves around the sun."
What do you think? Fact or Opinion? Why?
This slide can be used after students complete the worksheet. Discuss answers and reasoning. Reinforce why certain statements are facts and others are opinions. This is an example from the Fact vs. Opinion Worksheet.
Fact or Opinion? Let's Practice!
Statement 2: "Chocolate ice cream is the best dessert."
What do you think? Fact or Opinion? Why?
Another example for discussion, reinforcing the concepts. This is an example from the Fact vs. Opinion Worksheet.
Reliable Sources & Bias: Be a Media Detective!
Reliable Sources are:
- Credible and trustworthy
- Backed by evidence
- Often from experts or established organizations
Bias is:
- A preference or prejudice for or against something
- Can be conscious or unconscious
- Important to recognize when consuming information
Introduce the concept of reliable sources and how to spot them. Discuss the 'CRAAP' test or similar methods (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) without necessarily going into all acronyms, but hitting the main points. Also, introduce the idea of bias – everyone has it, but critical thinkers recognize it.
Media Detective: Example 1
News Headline:
"Shocking New Study Proves Trendy Diet is a Scam!"
What questions would you ask about this headline?
#### Is it reliable? Why or why not?
Use this slide to present an example of a potentially biased news headline or social media post. Ask students to identify elements that might suggest bias or unreliability. This will be the first example for the Mindful Media Activity.
Media Detective: Example 2
Social Media Post:
"Just heard from a friend of a friend that all schools are closing next week! Spread the word! #panic #school"
#### What elements here raise red flags?
#### How would you verify this information?
Present another example, perhaps a social media post with strong emotional language or a lack of sourcing. This will be the second example for the Mindful Media Activity.
Media Detective: Example 3
Website Screenshot (from "TotallyTrueInfo.biz"):
"Exclusive! Aliens Built the Pyramids, Says Secret Government Document!"
What makes this source seem untrustworthy?
#### What would a reliable source look like?
One more example, perhaps a website with a questionable domain or very old information. This will be the third example for the Mindful Media Activity.
Mindful Engagement: Your Digital Wellbeing
How does what you see and read online affect you?
- Emotions: Happiness, anger, sadness, anxiety?
- Self-Perception: Body image, self-worth, social comparisons?
- Attention: Focus, distraction, productivity?
Transition to the importance of how online content affects personal well-being. This leads into the group discussion. Encourage empathy and self-awareness.
Strategies for Mindful Engagement
Tips for a Healthier Online Experience:
- Pause and Reflect: Before reacting or sharing, think.
- Curate Your Feed: Follow accounts that uplift and inform.
- Set Boundaries: Limit screen time, take digital breaks.
- Fact-Check: Don't take everything at face value.
- Prioritize Real Life: Connect with people offline.
Review key strategies for mindful media use. These can be bullet points for students to consider and discuss in their groups. This relates to the Digital Wellbeing Discussion Prompts.
Your Mindful Media Pledge!
What is ONE mindful media habit you will commit to this week?
- Share your pledge with a partner or the class.
- Think about why this habit is important to you.
This slide sets up the final reflective task. Encourage students to think seriously about a practical pledge they can make.
Activity
Media Detective: Uncover the Truth!
Objective: To critically analyze online content for reliability and bias.
Instructions:
Your teacher will display various online examples (news headlines, social media posts, website snippets). For each example, work with your group to answer the following questions. Be prepared to share your reasoning with the class!
Example 1: News Headline Analysis
Headline: "Shocking New Study Proves Trendy Diet is a Scam!"
- What is your initial reaction to this headline?
- What specific words or phrases in the headline might signal bias or an agenda?
- What information is missing from this headline that you would need to determine its reliability?
- What type of source would you seek out to verify or debunk this claim?
Example 2: Social Media Post Scrutiny
Post: "Just heard from a friend of a friend that all schools are closing next week! Spread the word! #panic #school"
- What immediately raises a "red flag" about this post?
- What is the potential impact of sharing unverified information like this?
- How would you go about fact-checking this information before sharing it?
Example 3: Website Reliability Check
Website Snippet (from "TotallyTrueInfo.biz"): "Exclusive! Aliens Built the Pyramids, Says Secret Government Document!"
- What does the website address ("TotallyTrueInfo.biz") suggest about its credibility?
- What kind of evidence would be needed to support such an extraordinary claim?
- If you saw this on a social media feed, what steps would you take to determine if it's a trustworthy source?
Group Reflection
After analyzing these examples, what are the most important things you've learned about being a "Media Detective"?
Worksheet
Fact vs. Opinion: Sharpen Your Critical Eye!
Objective: To differentiate between factual statements and opinions in various online contexts.
Instructions: Read each statement below. Determine if it is a FACT or an OPINION. Then, in the space provided, explain why you classified it that way.
Statement 1:
"The Earth revolves around the sun."
Fact or Opinion?
Explain your reasoning:
Statement 2:
"Chocolate ice cream is the best dessert."
Fact or Opinion?
Explain your reasoning:
Statement 3:
"A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that daily exercise significantly improves cardiovascular health."
Fact or Opinion?
Explain your reasoning:
Statement 4:
"The new blockbuster movie is an absolute masterpiece and everyone should see it."
Fact or Opinion?
Explain your reasoning:
Statement 5:
"According to meteorologists, the temperature will drop below freezing tonight."
Fact or Opinion?
Explain your reasoning:
Statement 6:
"The internet has made people less intelligent."
Fact or Opinion?
Explain your reasoning:
Challenge Question:
Why is it important to be able to tell the difference between facts and opinions when you are online?
Discussion
Digital Wellbeing: A Mindful Discussion
Objective: To reflect on the impact of online content on personal wellbeing and share strategies for mindful engagement.
Instructions: In your small groups, discuss the following questions. Be ready to share some of your group's insights with the whole class.
Discussion Prompts:
-
Emotional Impact:
- Can you recall a time when something you saw or read online significantly affected your mood (positively or negatively)? Describe what happened and how you felt.
- What types of online content tend to make you feel inspired, happy, or informed?
- What types of online content tend to make you feel anxious, inadequate, or angry?
-
Self-Perception & Social Comparison:
- How does seeing others' lives, achievements, or appearances online influence how you view yourself?
- Do you ever find yourself comparing your life to what you see on social media? How does that make you feel?
- What are some ways to remind yourself that what you see online might not be the full picture?
-
Mindful Habits & Strategies:
- What does "mindful engagement" with online media mean to you?
- What are some practical steps you can take to make your online experience more positive and less overwhelming?
- How can you create healthy boundaries with your screen time or social media use?
- Who do you think is responsible for promoting digital wellbeing (individuals, social media companies, schools, parents)? Why?
-
Action Plan:
- Based on our discussion, what is one new mindful media habit you are willing to try this week?