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A lesson plan for reading media and media representation is to have students look at different media content that are commercials/advertisements. This allowing for students to see how media can manipulate the way you see things. Furthermore, allowing students to see how advertisements are also targeted to a particular audience. This can also allow students to understand that not all media is meant for a particular audience.

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A lesson idea for finding and verifying is to give students a piece of information (can be true or not) and have them looking at different sources to prove this is true or not. They have to verify the information with at least 3 sources. Then the teacher can have the students also learning what sources are worth their while and are reliable. This can be done through a website checker for reliability and key things that make things reliable.

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A lesson idea for Consumer Awareness would be to have students analyze a variety of advertisements and identify persuasive techniques such as emotional appeal, and misleading claims. They will discuss how these techniques influence consumer behaviour and decision-making.

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A lesson idea for privacy and security could be to have students learn how to recognize different types of scams, like fake emails and messages that ask for personal information. They can learn the warning signs like promising free gifts, or urgent requests. This will help students understand and notice scams and keep their information private.

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A lesson idea for ethics and empathy is to first discuss what these terms mean and then brainstorm examples of ethical and empathetic behaviour online. The action part of the lesson will have students explore different scenarios that take place online (i.e., "you see a friend being teased in a group chat. People are saying mean jokes about them"). In groups, students will act out their scenario to the class and present a solution. This will be followed by a reflection activity that will ask students to share insights from their scenarios (i.e., what did you learn about how your actions online can affect others)? This lesson engages students in real-world scenarios and teaches the importance of empathy in the digital world.

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For a lesson on media representation, students could learn about how social media displays the "positive" aspects of personal life while failing to showcase any hardships. We can talk about how these stories and representations can contribute to a negative sense of self as we compare ourselves to others and feel like we don't have enough money, friends, hobbies, etc. To provide a specific example, we could talk about how the media portrays beauty and decides what body types are socially-acceptable and how this can negatively affect our self-concept.

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Students could learn about ways to ensure their social media accounts are safe such as not adding a last name, keeping a private account, verifying people who follow you, not posting inappropriate photos that they do not want strangers to see. We could talk specifically about what a digital footprint is and how to make conscious, safe decisions when using social media.

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A lesson idea that is an extension of Adriana's lesson is for students to create their own digital advertisement for a product of their choice. This can be done on Canva or Google Drawings. They must design the ad using persuasive techniques that will make it appealing to consumers (i.e., bright colours, catchy slogans, and an emotional appeal). Students will write a short script for their ad that encourages people to buy the product. Each student will present their ad to the class and it will be followed by a class discussion of what persuasive techniques were used to promote the product.

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In this lesson, students will become “fact-check detectives” to build critical thinking skills in evaluating and verifying digital media. The class begins with a warm-up comparing a true and a false headline, prompting discussion on how to determine credibility. Students then learn the “CRAAP Test” (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) as a tool for assessing online sources and are introduced to fact-checking websites like Snopes. They practice identifying signs of misinformation, such as clickbait or emotional language, and apply these skills by evaluating a set of sample articles, fostering digital media literacy.

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In this lesson, students will explore ethics and empathy in digital media by analyzing online scenarios where digital behaviour affects others. Begin with a short video or story about a viral post that caused harm or sparked positivity, followed by a class discussion on how online actions impact real people. Students will then work in groups to examine case studies (eg. cyberbullying, fake news, uplifting campaigns) and answer questions like, “how might this post make someone feel?” and “what could have been done differently?” Finally, they will create their own digital code of conduct to promote ethical and empathetic behaviour online, fostering thoughtful engagement in the digital world.

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The objective of this activity would be to understand how digital communication can affect empathy and emotions. As a Minds-On component, you could have a class discussion on the prompt - "How is talking to someone online different from talking to them in person?"

Provide an example of "empathy traps" by having student volunteers read three different responses "What are you doing?" " I can't believe you said that!" and "Wow, that's amazing!" Using a friendly, sarcastic and upset tone. Have a discussion on how these sound different and how online, its hard to judge how the person means it because of the lack of tone and body language - introduce the concept of "Empathy Traps."

As the action activity, you can have the young class imagine a "Kindness Filter" - a step students can take to ensure that their message is respectful and clear. Teach them that it's important to think: "How might this person feel when they read this?" and "Would I say this in person?" Then, have them create a few examples of potentially hurtful or confusing text messages (ie., "You're so slow!" And have them change this message using a Kindness Filter (ie., "Do you need help with that?") and you can have your students share these with the class.

As a consolidation, you could have them reflect on what they have learned about treating people online and what would they do if they read a message that made them feel upset.

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The objective of this lesson would be to teach students about online privacy and security to understand what their digital footprint is.

As a minds-on activity, you could start with a discussion question like "When you leave footprints in the sand, what happens to them?" Then, you could brainstorm the different stuff people share online (photos, videos, comments etc.) and ask "What do you think happens to these things after they're posted?"

As an action activity, you teach students about their "digital footprint" and what this means. As an activity, you could play a game called "Share or No Share" where you read out some examples like (posting a picture of your pet, sharing your address with a new online friend, sharing your favourite hobby in a public comment etc.) and have students vote (by raising their hands) if they think these are things they can share or should not share. Then, you could have students become "Privacy Superheroes) and create a checklist in their table groups of steps to protect themselves and their friends online. (ex. Use a strong password, ask permission before sharing photos of others etc.).

As a consolidation piece, you can have students reflect on what they will do differently when posting or sharing things online.

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For a lesson plan on reading media and media representation, we could begin by introducing students to techniques such as camera angles, editing, and sound that media creators use to evoke emotions and guide viewer attention. Students will also learn how media representations, such as character portrayals, can reflect or distort reality, often using stereotypes or biases. Through a guided analysis of a media clip, students will be prompted to identify these storytelling techniques and examine the portrayal of characters to uncover any stereotypes. They could then work in groups to redesign a part of the media, focusing on improving inclusivity or adjusting the message.

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A lesson on privacy and security could introduce students to the importance of managing their privacy and security online. We can begin by explaining that everything we post online, whether it’s a photo, a comment, or a status update is part of our digital footprint and can be seen by more people than we might intend. Students can then examine different scenarios where sharing information online might have unexpected consequences, such as oversharing personal details or posting something that could be misinterpreted. We can share practical strategies for managing privacy, like adjusting account settings, thinking critically before sharing, and understanding the potential permanence of online posts. By the end of the lesson, I would hope that it helps them build essential skills for navigating digital spaces safely and responsibly.

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One lesson idea to develop students critical thinking skills is to analyze various digital advertisements (ie. instagram ads, youtube videos, etc.). I would likely choose ads that they have seen before and/or ads that would cater to them and their interests. After a short discussion on advertisements, I would show the students a variety of digital advertisements. We would then discuss the products being sold and the target audiences. We would talk about persuasive techniques that are used to make consumers feel a certain way and I would ask them questions such as "How does this ad make you feel?", "Do you think it is trying to convince you to buy something?", "What message is it sending?". These questions will help students to think critically about digital ads and to be aware of how they can often manipulate our emotions and behaviours to influence our decisions.

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This lesson would begin with a discussion on what "remixing" digital media means. The teacher would show an example of an image meme that became very well-known: "Keep calm and carry on". Then, show some remixed versions of it. Ask students if they have seen this before and if they know other examples of it. Discuss meaning behind them and patterns in style between all of them (ie. image at the top, message is always in caps, the message always starts with 'KEEP CALM' and is follow by 'AND', etc.) Put students in pairs and ask them to create their own versions of this meme. If you have access to Chromebooks, have students create these online, if not, students can produce them on paper. Students will share their memes with the class and discuss the meaning and purpose of their text and image.

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In this lesson, students will become "information detectives" as they learn how to evaluate and verify online information. The lesson begins by introducing a current, trending topic, such as a viral news story, a health claim, or an environmental issue. The teacher will provide a mix of sources with varying levels of reliability, including blogs, social media posts, and news articles. Students will be guided through a process of critical analysis, asking key questions like: Who is the author? What is the publication date? Does the source provide evidence? Is the information fact or opinion? They will also be encouraged to search for additional sources and use fact-checking websites to verify the accuracy of the claims. As an extension, students will complete a mini task where they practice identifying signs of misinformation by evaluating short snippets of information. The lesson concludes with a class discussion on how misinformation spreads and strategies for sharing only accurate information online. This engaging, hands-on approach helps students develop essential critical thinking skills in digital media literacy.

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In this lesson, students will learn the importance of managing their privacy and security online. The teacher can begin the lesson with a discussion on what personal information is, such as name, address, birthday, and location, and where this information might be shared online, such as on social media, websites, or apps. Students will also be introduced to the concept of a digital footprint, explaining that everything we post online, whether it’s a photo, a comment, or a status update, becomes part of our digital footprint and can be seen by more people than we might intend. Through various scenarios, students will examine situations where sharing information online might have unexpected consequences, such as oversharing personal details or posting something that could be misinterpreted. To help manage privacy, students will brainstorm practical strategies, such as adjusting account settings, thinking critically before sharing, and understanding the potential drawbacks of online posts. They will then create a visual diagram to understand how personal data can be tracked or shared online, including concepts like cookies and location data. For the consolidation aspect of this lesson, students will research online security and safety threats and create a poster or digital infographic with tips on how to stay safe online. By the end of the lesson, students will have gained essential skills for navigating digital spaces safely and responsibly, helping them make informed decisions about sharing information online.

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For a lesson on media representation and finding and verifying, grade 5 students would begin by exploring how media representations shape our views of the world and how to verify the reliability of information found online. The class would begin by analyzing an advertisement or social media post, discussing how word choice, images, and stereotypes influence our understanding of reality. Then, students would evaluate an online article or claim using a simple fact-checking checklist (e.g., checking the source, cross-referencing information, and identifying biases). The lesson would end with a group discussion on how critical thinking and verification skills help us navigate and understand media in our daily lives.

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A lesson plan for reading media and media representation could have small groups look at different advertisements for products. This could be guided by prompts such as "Who made this?", "Who is this made for?", "How does it make you feel?", "What stands out to you?". This would allow students to begin analyzing how different media can impact the way in which you view or interpret things. This could also allow students to begin understanding how companies and other digital media target specific audiences and how they do so.

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A lesson idea for media representation could be having students compare how a single social issue (e.g., climate change) is represented in various forms of media (news, social media, documentaries). They will analyze stereotypes, biases, and the ways media shapes perceptions. Students will then create their own media representation on the topic, using what they’ve learned about responsible portrayal.

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A lesson idea for finding and verifying could start by putting students in groups, each analyzing different online sources covering the same news event. They will evaluate credibility based on factors like the author's expertise, evidence provided, and any bias present. After discussing as a class, students will identify which sources they trust the most and explain why, developing critical thinking around the verification of information.

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In this lesson, 4th-grade students will develop critical thinking skills in digital media literacy by analyzing a current global event through different media sources, such as news websites, social media posts, news videos, blogs, or even advertisements. They will be provided with excerpts from various platforms to highlight how the same event can be presented in different ways depending on the source. For example, students might analyze a news article from a well-known news outlet, a tweet from an influencer, a video report from a local station, and a blog post. By comparing these sources, students will learn to ask critical questions like "Who is telling this story?" "What is the tone or message being communicated?" "Who benefits from sharing this story in this way?" and "How can we check if this information is accurate?" They will explore how each platform may have its agenda, biases, or audience, which can shape how information is presented and interpreted. Working in groups, students will evaluate the reliability of each source and discuss how the format—whether a brief social media post, a detailed news article, or a viral video—affects their understanding of the global event. Through this process, the lesson will help students become more thoughtful and discerning consumers of digital media, empowering them to navigate the complexities of modern news and information in a critical, responsible way.

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A lesson idea for Privacy & Security is to have students create a “safe online profile” poster. Provide examples of fake profiles with personal information (like full name, address, school name) and discuss why sharing this information online can be risky. Then, students can design their own “safe profiles,” including only appropriate details like hobbies or favorite activities. End with a group discussion about how to protect their personal information online, like using nicknames and strong passwords. This activity helps students think critically about their online safety in an age-appropriate way.

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A lesson idea for Ethics & Empathy is to use a storybook or a short video about online kindness and respect. After watching, ask students to role-play scenarios where they practice responding kindly to online comments or dealing with a situation where someone is upset. Discuss how their words can make others feel and why it’s important to think before posting or commenting online. This lesson helps young students build empathy and understand the importance of being kind and respectful in digital spaces.

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Brainstorm as a class “What does it mean to be a citizen in your community?”

Show video of Greta Thunberg’s use of social media on how to promote knowledge about climate change, have class discussion on “Why do you think people use social media or videos to raise awareness about something important?”

Break class into groups - have them think of a cause or issue they care about. Have them decide how they want to promote their message in a digital media campaign (video, a twitter post, advertisement)

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For a lesson on reading media and media representation and consumer awareness, students could be introduced to the ways that music and colours have a role in advertising. Students could be shown one (or two or multiple contrasting ads with different target audiences( one targeting kids and one targeting adults) and how colours and sound evoke emotion and grasp the viewers attention in ads

Possible guiding questions:

"What product is being advertised?"

"Who is the target audience? How can you tell?"

"What techniques are used to grab attention (e.g., colors, music, slogans)?"

Students will be introduced to:

Persuasive Techniques (e.g., emotional appeal, celebrity endorsement, humor).

Media Representation (e.g., diversity in ads, stereotypes).

Consumer Awareness (e.g., recognizing manipulation and questioning what’s being sold).

The students could be shown a mix of TV ads, online ads, and products ads in films to show variety.

Students could be given a graphic organizer to jot down their observations of the reading media, media representation and consumer awareness and have a discussion as a class after words with their group and with the whole class.

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A lesson on privacy and security could discuss online privacy, who you are in contact with online, and thinking about what information you share online. We could explore and discuss different online interactions, such as through social media posts, gaming, calling, and messaging others. The class can explore how information can be spread online and how other people can access these interactions and your information. Students can create signs or posters illustrating the risks of sharing information online and provide ideas on what they can do to keep personal information safe and private.

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A lesson idea for reading media could encompass examining different camera angles and positioning in films. For example, if we chose The Lion King, the scene where Simba is standing on Pride Rock might change dramatically if the camera angle differed.

This could be a guided discussion where the teacher asks prompts such as “Why did they choose this angle”, “How does it make you feel”, or “What is featured the most”. Students will learn about filmmakers' decisions and discuss the important role that these creative decisions have in the story. For further discussion, we could talk about how the scene might change if it was a wide angle as opposed to a close-up. Does the camera angle make it more dramatic? Would a serious scene change if it was a close-up or a wide shot?

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A lesson plan for finding and verifying could be a whole group activity where the teacher reveals two photos where one is unrealistic or altered. AI has become so prominent in our daily lives and it’s important to remember how to verify our resources. Ask the students prompts such as How do we know if this is real? Are there any clues or information that help us decide? Once we’ve completed this activity and discussion, provide the students a chance to try to use Google reverse image search as a tool to verify photos.

If time allows, end the activity with a discussion on why it’s important to ensure photos and resources are real and to always examine and verify online resources and information.

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A lesson on finding and verifying could discuss how there are sources and information online that are not always true, and how we need to learn to analyze and either verify or disregard what we find. Students will learn the importance of using reliable sources and verifying the information across multiple sources. The class can explore this through being given a variety of “true information”, where some information is true, and others are false. Students will use their skills to determine which pieces of information are true and which are false, recording their answers and reasoning behind their decisions.

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a great way to introduce this concept would be to connect traditional stories to graphic novels. Share how authors “remix” a traditional story by turning it into a graphic novel, using images, dialogue bubbles, and captions. You could get students to reflect on a story they all know and then create a graphic novel online to 'remix' the text.

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A lesson idea for media representation is an analysis of the film Umbrella where students will focus on how visual elements like camera angles, sound design, and editing choices communicate the emotional depth and themes of the film. Through this analysis, students will work on critically "reading" media by understanding how filmmakers use specific tools to convey meaning and tell a story.

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A lesson idea for finding and verifying is to have students practice searching for information about a topic (such as the true story behind Umbrella) using different online sources. They could use techniques such as checking the author/organization that published the information (e.g. Yahoo vs CBC Canada) to evaluate and critique the credibility of digital media before using it.

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A lesson plan that supports building critical thinking for reading media and media representation in students could be one where they are "decoding" digital stories, as they explore media and representations. Students would be expected to analyze and explore the differences between traditional and digital media. For instance, students could watch a short digital story (i.e., Laika and Nemo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tDJQ4FUvz0) and explore how visuals, sounds, and narratives shape meaning. Through group discussions and guided questions, students would examine the intended audience, purpose, and representation of characters in the story. This lesson would aim to highlight the unique aspects of digital media, such as interactivity and its global reach, while encouraging students to reflect on how media creators influence viewers' thoughts and emotions. Through their brainstorming, students can deepen their understanding of how media can shape perceptions and messages, building essential skills to critically navigate both traditional and digital media. Ultimately, I would suggest this lesson for upper years to support their critical thinking capacity as they explore the interconnectedness of our world and the stories we witness.

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Animated short film on the power of friendship | "Laika & Nemo" - by Jan Gadermann & Sebastian Gadow

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teach students how to spot fake news by showing them real and fake news stories. Ask them to check the sources of the stories, look for signs of bias, and think about whether the story makes sense. You can use fun examples like “celebrity news” or unbelievable headlines, then help students learn to ask questions like, “Who wrote this? Can I trust them? Is it from a well-known source?” You can end by discussing how to check facts on trusted websites like fact-checking organizations.