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Media Smarts

Bias in News Sources

For Teachers 9th - 12th
As young consumers of media, it is important for high schoolers to explore concepts of bias and prejudice, and how they may be present in media. After discussing ideological messages that media can contain, individuals complete a warm-up...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beyond Media Messages: Media Portrayal of Global Issues

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Take a close look at news reporting techniques and global issues. Begin by creating a graphic representation of developing nations and defining the term. After class discussion, the second day's activities pick up by deconstructing news...
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Activity
Shmoop

ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.8

For Teachers 9th - 10th Standards
Demonstrate the importance of evaluating and citing sources. Pupils can complete the suggested assignment provided here, or one of your choosing, while focusing on checking that the resources are credible and citing those sources...
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Lesson Plan
Media Smarts

How to Analyze the News

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Teach kids how to watch television, specifically the news, with this creative idea for learners of all ages from the Media Awareness Network. The elementary school plan focuses on presenting news as a story and uses Jon Scieszka's story...
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Lesson Plan
Media Smarts

Bias

For Teachers 10th - 12th
See how bias operates firsthand. Half of the class reads one article while the other half reads another article on the same event. The obvious differences emerge when the two sides talk about their observations though. Several handouts...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bias and Crime in Media

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Critical thinking and social justice are central themes for this resource on bias and crime in media. The class views and discusses an incisive PSA that highlights assumptions based on race. Small groups read newspaper opinion pieces...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Outgroup Experiment Reveals Bias, Stereotyping

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Exploring bias and stereotypes, students dress up as members of "outgroups" (groups of people who are often judged). Though the lesson plan specifies that it should be "respectful and not mock the outgroup in any way," this activity...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Data Analysis and Bias

For Students 10th - 12th
In this probability and statistics worksheet, students determine when a collected data or a graph of the data could be biased.  The one page worksheet contains four multiple choice questions.  Answers are included.   
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Eye of the Beholder: A Media Literacy Activity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the impact the news media have on shaping perceptions and opinions in general and in their coverage of the presidential campaign.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Bias

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in an interactive writing and discussion activity, on the study of bias, as it is used in political debate and decision making. They evaluate the presentation of material and its importance in making informed decisions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Sexism

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop an understanding of sexism, its effects, and the ways in which messages in society (in media, texts, schools, families, et cetera) reinforce stereotypical beliefs.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scientific Data: It's Not as Pretty as It Looks!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The difference between accuracy and precision is fundamental for high school science learners. Using test kits for nitrate concentration in water, they compare readings with each other. They consider the accuracy, precision, and bias of...
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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

'And Maybe I Can Change That Too'

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider their own prejudices and stereotypes. In this social justice lesson, students monitor their own reactions to people who are different from themselves. Students watch a video featuring Toni Morrison that presents a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bias Sampling

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Pupils explore statistics by conducting a scientific study. In this data analysis instructional activity, students conduct a class poll about popular foods of their classmates. Pupils complete a worksheet and discuss how bias opinions...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Battle of the Experts

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students view the "Smoking Gun" video as an illustration of someone claiming to be an expert who really is not one. They discuss the fact that some experts also come with biases and personal agendas. Students research experts from...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Quality of Information: Point of View and Bias

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify stereotypes of Indian people based on perceived characteristics. They discuss the misconceptions. Students define quality of information and give an example from the story "Seaman's Journal: On The Trail With Lewis...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Research Methods

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners identify the strengths and weaknesses of various family forms: living alone, couples without children, couples with children, divorced adults, traditional families, single-parent families, blended families, etc. They assess...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Can Librarians Work To Eliminate Cultural Bias In The Organization Of Information?

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students explore the complexities of organizing information and to support librarians in developing strategies for reducing cultural bias. Students extend strategies to help raise solutions. Students list a variety of definitions on bias...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bias in Journalism

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students evaluate the credibility and reliability of various sources. Students survey the coverage of a particular event in different newspapers, select a current event and compare different perspectives. They write an article...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping Data Made Manageable

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore how to select unbiased random samples as they choose report data to include on maps. They propose methods for choosing random numbers and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. They consider bias in science.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Is History?

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students process a variety of information on the reasons for different interpretations of history.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reducing Bias

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars begin their examination on the conflict in the Middle East. Before beginning, they complete a survey and discuss their answers to hopefully reduce their bias about the region. They examine the problem in the Middle East...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Racism in America

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare racism today to racism that existed during the nineteenth century. As a field research project, students individually keep track of examples of racism, biases, and stereotypes illustrated throughout the US media over a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Determining Point of View

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students examine web sites to determine point of view and bias in information sources. They determine the usefulness of information based on these biases or limitations.