Original Source – Media Smarts

Level: Grades 2 to 5

Author: MediaSmarts

This lesson is part of USE, UNDERSTAND & ENGAGE: A Digital Media Literacy Framework for Canadian Schools.

Overview

In this lesson, students learn how the media construct reality by studying the families portrayed on television, and comparing them to the real-life families they know: their own, and those of their peers. The lesson begins with a survey of student’s favourite TV shows about families, and what they enjoy most about them. In groups, students select a family-based television show to monitor and report on. As each group reports, students will discuss whether or not the program accurately represents real families and family relationships.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• recognize that the media construct reality
• understand that the representations made by the media are not always accurate
• enjoy investigating family shows on TV

This lesson and all associated documents (handouts, overheads, backgrounders) is available in an easy-print, pdf kit version.