Media Smarts
Bias in News Sources
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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Beyond Media Messages: Media Portrayal of Global Issues
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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ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.8
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...
Media Smarts
How to Analyze the News
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...
Media Smarts
Bias
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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Bias and Crime in Media
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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Outgroup Experiment Reveals Bias, Stereotyping
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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Data Analysis and Bias
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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The Eye of the Beholder: A Media Literacy Activity
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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Understanding Bias
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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Introduction to Sexism
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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Scientific Data: It's Not as Pretty as It Looks!
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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'And Maybe I Can Change That Too'
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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Bias Sampling
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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The Battle of the Experts
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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Quality of Information: Point of View and Bias
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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Research Methods
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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How Can Librarians Work To Eliminate Cultural Bias In The Organization Of Information?
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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Bias in Journalism
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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Mapping Data Made Manageable
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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What Is History?
Students process a variety of information on the reasons for different interpretations of history.
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Reducing Bias
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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Exploring Racism in America
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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Determining Point of View
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.