Media Literacy Activities for the Junior Classroom by Diane Watt https://padlet.com/dadwatt/hilz2xeg5wlkdlji Briefly describe a media literacy activity. Include: grade level(s), title, resource type, topic, media type + a brief description + your team's overall rating of this resource. en-us 2021-11-26 10:58:37 UTC 2021-11-26 18:22:27 UTC hello@padlet.com Data Defenders - Teresa, Joseph, Venetia https://padlet.com/dadwatt/hilz2xeg5wlkdlji/wish/1914715711 Title: Data Defenders
Level: Grades 4-6
Overview: Understanding the concept of personal data, the digital environment, personal data regulations, and how to protect their personal identity online.
Rating: 9/10]]> 2021-11-26 18:15:02 UTC https://padlet.com/dadwatt/hilz2xeg5wlkdlji/wish/1914715711 Olivia, Sofia, Amy https://padlet.com/dadwatt/hilz2xeg5wlkdlji/wish/1914716530 Title: Avatars and body image
Grade level(s): 4-6
Resource type: Lesson plan
Overview: In this lesson, students are introduced to the concept of “avatars” and share their experiences creating and playing avatars in video games and virtual worlds. They then create avatars using a program that is intentionally limited in terms of available body types and gender markers, first creating an avatar of their own gender and then of the opposite gender, and then discuss the program and relate it to representations of gender and body image in games and virtual worlds and in other media. Students then create avatars using a much more flexible version of the program and compare that experience to the more limited version. Finally, students use the more versatile program to create avatars that represent how they see themselves and how they would like others to see them online and reflect on the choices that went into creating them.
Learning outcomes:
  • Learn the definition of the term “avatar” in a digital context
  • Consider and discuss the influence of avatars in games and virtual worlds on identity and body image
  • Create a media product that communicates their self-perception and desired representation
  • Reflect on the relationship between identity and online representation
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Our rating of the resource:
We think this resource is a great way to introduce or further understand the topic of body image. In this lesson, students get to create an avatar (as they would for a video game) and then discuss the Avatar Maker and how it connects to current representation in the media. We think this resource is especially engaging because it lets students be very hands-on in their learning. Additionally, we know that most students love video games so they will have fun with this learning experience as well.

]]> 2021-11-26 18:15:54 UTC https://padlet.com/dadwatt/hilz2xeg5wlkdlji/wish/1914716530 The Anatomy of Cool - Shelby, Eric & Moira https://padlet.com/dadwatt/hilz2xeg5wlkdlji/wish/1914718106 Title: The Anatomy of Cool

Link: https://mediasmarts.ca/lessonplan/anatomy-cool-lesson

Topic: Body Image, Marketing and Consumerism, & Stereotyping

Level: Grades 4-7

Overview: This lesson helps students become more aware of the media’s role in determining what, and who, are perceived as being cool. Through class discussion and activities, students explore the differences between superficial and real “coolness,” how marketers use cool to sell products, and how their own attitudes and perceptions are affected by media messages that reinforce specific messages about what coolness is.

Rating: 8/10 

Commentary: 
- We feel this might be a difficult topic to address and might cause tension between so-called "cool" and "uncool" students. However, often times, health topics are difficult to address and difficulties can be avoided with proper planning and teacher intervention.
- Students may feel like their teacher can't possibly know what it means to be "cool" or "uncool". Therefore, students may or may not grasp the lesson's main idea.


]]> 2021-11-26 18:17:54 UTC https://padlet.com/dadwatt/hilz2xeg5wlkdlji/wish/1914718106 Winning the Cyber Security Game, Bruce, Ben, Tom https://padlet.com/dadwatt/hilz2xeg5wlkdlji/wish/1914719985 https://mediasmarts.ca/sites/default/files/lesson-plans/lesson_winning_cyber_security_game.pdf


]]> 2021-11-26 18:20:13 UTC https://padlet.com/dadwatt/hilz2xeg5wlkdlji/wish/1914719985 Jori & Francesca https://padlet.com/dadwatt/hilz2xeg5wlkdlji/wish/1914720637 Title: Break the Fake: What's real online?
Grade Levels: 3-5
Resource Type: Lesson Plan
Overview: In this lesson, students are introduced to the challenges of identifying what is real and what is fake online. After learning some simple steps to verify online information they create a poster that communicates the importance of questioning and double-checking online content.
Link: https://mediasmarts.ca/teacher-resources/break-fake-what%E2%80%99s-real-online

Our Rating: 7/10
We liked this activity because it is relevant to issues that our student will be exposed to online and it has a nostalgic feeling. We docked some points however because we don't believe this lesson is well suited towards grade 3's. For grade 5's it's a great lesson, for younger students, they may not find it interesting.]]> 2021-11-26 18:20:58 UTC https://padlet.com/dadwatt/hilz2xeg5wlkdlji/wish/1914720637