Mindful Media: Unpacking Influence

Lynn Phelan

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Mindful Media: Unpacking Influence

Develop critical thinking skills

This lesson focuses on enhancing students' critical thinking skills by analyzing various types of media. Students will learn to discern information and understand how media can influence public opinion. This lesson is crucial as it empowers students to become informed consumers of media, fostering their ability to think critically about the information they encounter daily.

Audience

Grade 11 Students

Time

1 hour

Approach

Develop critical thinking skills

Materials

Discussion Guide, Media Analysis Worksheet, Pens, and Projector or Smartboard

Step 1

Introduction

10 mins

Begin with a brief discussion on the importance of media literacy.
Ask students to share examples of media they interact with daily.
Introduce the lesson's objective: to develop critical thinking skills by analyzing media.

Step 2

Media Analysis Activity

30 mins

Distribute the Media Analysis Worksheet.
Show a short media clip or present a news article.
Guide students through the worksheet, prompting them to identify the purpose, target audience, and potential bias in the media.
Encourage group discussions to compare findings.

Step 3

Class Discussion

15 mins

Use the Discussion Guide to facilitate a conversation about the media's role in shaping public opinion.
Discuss how different media sources might present the same story differently.
Encourage students to reflect on how their perceptions might be influenced by media.

Step 4

Closure

5 mins

Summarize key points from the lesson.
Ask students to share one new insight they gained about media influence.
Provide a brief overview of how they can apply these skills in their daily media consumption.

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Discussion

Media Influence Discussion

A guided discussion to explore how media shapes public opinion and the importance of critical thinking in media consumption.

How does media influence public opinion?

Encourage students to think about examples from recent news or social media trends.

What are some ways to identify bias in media?

Discuss indicators of bias such as language, source, and presentation.

Why is it important to be a critical consumer of media?

Highlight the impact of misinformation and the value of diverse perspectives.

Worksheet

Media Analysis Worksheet

A worksheet designed to help students critically analyze a piece of media, focusing on identifying purpose, audience, and bias.

What is the main purpose of this media piece?

Consider whether it aims to inform, entertain, persuade, etc.

Who is the target audience?

Think about who would be most interested or affected by this media.

Is there any noticeable bias? If so, what is it?

Look for language or imagery that suggests a particular viewpoint.