Links
The following are links concerning media literacy that can be of interest to the reader. These links are off-site, and we are not responsible for the content contained therein.
Advertising
Do You Know Why You Bought That? - A fun site that teaches children about how advertising influences them.
Affluenza - A PBS site dedicated to over-consumption by our society.
Persuasive Writing - Teaching children how to write persuasively, and shows how the media uses these techniques to sell products.
Body Image
Mirror, mirror: Fostering a positive body image in your child - Teaches parents about how they and the media influence children about body image.
Body Image and Advertising - Discusses how advertisers emphasize sexuality and the importance of physical attractiveness.
Body Image - a lesson plan for teaching children about body image.
Commercialism
Schools for Sale? - A PBS report with links to several articles related to the commercialization of schools.
New and Improved Ways to Rot Your Kid - An article from writers at Salon magazine.
AdBusters - A magazine dedicated to discussing media's impact on society.
Lecture notes on consumerism
50 Possible Ways to Challenge Over-Commercialism
Gender and Race in the Media
Girls In The Media - An article that discusses who young girls are portrayed in the media.
Looking For Latinos in Primetime - A study about Latino characters in primetime American television. In PDF format.
...And the Company President Is a Black Woman - An article that discusses how casting directors cast actors for television and film, and how race is considered.
Between the Lines: Stereotyping of Sisters in the Media - Discusses how nuns are portrayed in the media.
A Long Way to Go: Minorities and the Media - Discusses racial stereotyping in the media.
Ads Pose Dilemma for Black Women - An article about black women portrayals in advertising.
Hollywood's Arab: Still Stuck in the Desert - Shows how Hollywood continues to portray Arabs in a stereotypical fashion.
Media Education
Video in The Classroom - This site offers examples of standards-based video production being used in the classroom to close the achievement gap, raise self-esteem, and teach media literacy in the elementary grades.
MediaEd - A UK site for teachers and students interested in media and moving image education in all levels of education. Filled with lesson plans and ideas for teaching media in the classroom.
MediaEducation.com - A site with information about media literacy for teachers and parents. Includes a list of key questions to ask students about the media, whether in the classroom or at home.
Organizations
History of Media Literacy in the United States - This site provides a rich repository of information concerning the history of media literacy in the United States, decade by decade. Its survey begins in the 1960s, and continues through to today.
Media Literacy Online Project - Contains a wide array of archived articles, bibliographies, and other resources of value in the study of media, children, and adolescents.
Center for Media Literacy - This organization provides information about the current state of media literacy, and provides a wealth of information for the study of the subject. Includes a complete archive of Media & Values magazine, as well as many articles, studies and reports.
Media Awareness Network - A Canadian site that provides a wide array of articles and reports relating to information literacy for children.
Just Think - Teaches young people to lead healthy, responsible, independent lives in a culture highly impacted by media.
New Mexico Media Literacy Project - Provides articles that teach essential media literacy skills.
Media Literacy Clearinghouse - Provides articles, resources, and links about media literacy around the web.
Lesson Plans and Curriculum
We Tell Stories (PDF) - A lesson plan teaching children to tell stories, learning media literacy skills along the way. K - 5th grade.
Maps And The Pictures In Our Heads (PDF) - A lesson plan that teaches how maps can be considered media. K - 5th grade.
12 Basic Principles for Incorporating Media Literacy and Critical Thinking into Any Curriculum - A great source of information for incorporating media education techniques into the classroom. All ages.
Media Construction of the Middle East - A complete curriculum designed to teach about how the American media views the Middle East.
Media Construction of Presidential Campaigns: 2000-2004 Targeting the Spin - This lesson plan examines the role the media plays in presidential elections, focusing specifically on the 2000 and 2004 elections.
Multimedia
Audio - Media Literacy for Media Reform: Turning Apathy into Activism - A lecture about media literacy and media education to a group of students, teachers, and parents.
Video - Media Burn at the Internet Archive - A collection of non-fiction video material reflecting historical, political, and social realities in America from the past 35 years.
Video - Afghan Media - A short video that illustrates how new press freedoms in Afghanistan have affected how people in that country are influenced by their exposure to media.
