Lesson Plan: Being Media and Information
Literate
Grade Level: 6th Grade
Duration: 50 minutes
Objectives:
- Understand the importance of media and information literacy in today's digital age.
- Develop critical thinking skills to evaluate and analyze media content.
- Learn strategies to become a responsible consumer and creator of media.
Materials:
- Whiteboard or blackboard
- Markers or chalk
- Handouts with examples of media content (news articles, social media posts, advertisements,
etc.)
- Internet access (optional)
Introduction (5 minutes):
1. Begin the lesson by asking the students if they know what it means to be media and
information literate.
2. Engage the students in a brief discussion about the role of media in their lives and the
importance of being able to navigate and understand the information they encounter.
3. Explain that media and information literacy involves the ability to access, analyze, evaluate,
and create media in a responsible and critical manner.
Main Content (35 minutes):
Part 1: Understanding Media and Information Literacy (10 minutes):
1. Define media and information literacy as the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create
media in a responsible and critical manner.
2. Discuss the benefits of being media and information literate, such as:
- Making informed decisions
- Avoiding misinformation and fake news
- Developing critical thinking skills
- Becoming responsible digital citizens
Part 2: Evaluating Media Content (15 minutes):
1. Introduce the concept of evaluating media content by discussing the importance of verifying
information before accepting it as true.
2. Provide examples of different types of media content (news articles, social media posts,
advertisements, etc.) and ask the students to identify the potential biases, credibility, and
reliability of each example.
3. Discuss strategies for evaluating media content, such as:
- Checking multiple sources
- Considering the author's expertise and credentials
- Identifying any potential biases or agendas
- Assessing the reliability of the information
Part 3: Creating Responsible Media (10 minutes):
1. Explain the importance of being responsible creators of media and sharing accurate and
reliable information.
2. Discuss the potential consequences of sharing false or misleading information.
3. Encourage the students to think critically before sharing or creating media content by asking
themselves:
- Is the information accurate and reliable?
- Does it promote understanding and respect?
- Is it fair and unbiased?
Conclusion (10 minutes):
1. Recap the main points discussed during the lesson, emphasizing the importance of media
and information literacy.
2. Assign a homework task where students have to evaluate a news article or social media post
using the strategies discussed in class.
3. Encourage students to practice media and information literacy skills in their daily lives and be
responsible consumers and creators of media.
Assessment:
- Observe students' participation and engagement during class discussions.
- Evaluate students' understanding of media and information literacy through their responses
during the evaluation activity.
- Assess students' ability to apply the strategies discussed in class by reviewing their homework
assignments.
DOK 1: Recall & Reproduction
1. What does it mean to be a media and information literate individual?
2. Why is media and information literacy important in today's digital age?
3. Name one benefit of being media and information literate.
4. What skills are involved in media and information literacy?
5. How can media and information literacy help us make informed decisions?
💡 Activity Idea: Have students create a poster or infographic that defines media and information
literacy and highlights its importance. They can use visuals and key points to convey their
understanding of the topic.
DOK 2: Skills & Concepts
1. Compare and contrast media and information literacy with traditional literacy skills.
2. Analyze the role of media in our lives and explain how media influences our thoughts and
actions.
3. Evaluate the credibility and reliability of a news article or social media post.
4. Identify potential biases in different types of media content.
5. Create a checklist of strategies for evaluating media content.
💡 Activity Idea: Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a different media
content example (news article, social media post, advertisement, etc.). Have them evaluate the
content using the strategies discussed in class and present their findings to the rest of the class.
DOK 3: Strategic Thinking
1. Develop a plan for becoming a more media and information literate individual.
2. Critique the strategies used by media outlets to grab attention and manipulate public opinion.
3. Evaluate the impact of misinformation and fake news on society.
4. Create a media literacy campaign to raise awareness among your peers about the
importance of media and information literacy.
5. Analyze the ethical implications of sharing false or misleading information on social media.
💡 Activity Idea: Have students research and analyze a current media issue or controversy. They
can present their findings in a debate format, discussing different perspectives and proposing
solutions to address the issue.
DOK 4: Extended Thinking
1. Predict how media and information literacy will evolve in the future with advancements in
technology.
2. Design a comprehensive media literacy curriculum for middle school students.
3. Investigate the impact of media bias on public opinion and propose strategies to address it.
4. Create a multimedia project that demonstrates the importance of media and information
literacy in promoting social justice.
5. Develop a research study to assess the effectiveness of media literacy education programs in
schools.
💡 Activity Idea: Have students work in pairs or small groups to conduct a research project on a
specific aspect of media and information literacy. They can collect data, analyze findings, and
present their research in a formal report or presentation format.
