Here is a curated collection of the classroom resources on media literacy that can be found at CivicsRenewalNetwork.org. Check back as more resources are added to the list.
Decoding the News: Building Savvy Media Consumers
Objective: This lesson will promote understanding about what it means to be “news literate” and how learning to analyze media reports about current events can foster civic engagement. Grades 9-12. ABOTA Foundation
Understanding Fake News
Students learn about the phenomenon of “fake news,” how it spreads quickly on the internet, and how to recognize and distinguish it from other types of information. Grades 9-12. Constitutional Rights Foundation
NewsFeed Defenders
In this new game, players navigate online content by moderating a social news platform called Newsably. The challenge is to increase traffic to the site while maintaining credibility by flagging clickbait, viral deception, and flagrant bias. Grades 9-12 and adults. iCivics and Annenberg Classroom
Media Literacy Booster Pack
Staying fresh and fluent in today’s media landscape isn’t easy. This collection of resources offers tools to tackle eight pressing challenges, from recognizing bias and propaganda to leveraging your role as a media contributor. Grades 6-12. NewseumED
The Fundamentals of News
Students learn why news matters and how to distinguish between the different media-related terms they might hear being thrown around. Grades 6-8. NewseumED
Is This Story Share-Worthy? Flowchart
Students use an infographic to gauge the value of a news story and weigh what they should do with it. Grades 6-12. NewseumED
Source: Can I Trust the Creator
Students dig into an article to determine whether they can trust the story by investigating its producers and the sources within. Grades 6-12. NewseumED
Fake News: What’s the Big Deal?
Students watch a video in which teens reflect on the concept of fake news, and then discuss their own experiences with misinformation. Grades 6-12. NewseumED
E.S.C.A.P.E. Junk News
Students learn a handy acronym to help them remember six key concepts for evaluating information, then test the concepts in teams. Grades 6-12. NewseumED
Media Literacy: Making Sense of the 24-7 News Cycle
A free press is essential to the success of a democracy. As the media has evolved over time to include radio, television, internet and now smart phones and social media apps – the ability in “being capable to read them” needs examining. This lesson guides students through analysis of social media posts, the definition of terms relevant to the media, and provides tools for identifying quality sources for examination of current political issues. This lesson accompanies the Talking Turkey: Taking the ‘Dis’ Out of Civil Discourse program as well as YLI and American Evolution’s First Freedom Wall. Grades 7-12 and up. Youth Leadership Initiative
Weed Out Propaganda
A bold digital poster outlines a simple acronym — S.E.E.D. — to help students learn to spot propaganda by recognizing four of its key techniques. Grades 9-12. NewseumED
Evidence: Do the Facts Hold Up?
Students dig into an article to determine whether they can trust the information by verifying the evidence it presents. Grades 9-12. NewseumED
Believe It or Not?
This unit introduces students to the purpose and practice of media literacy. It includes pre- and post-visit activities designed to bracket the Believe It or Not? ED Class. (The activities also can be done independent of a visit to the Newseum.) Students will come to understand why not all information is trustworthy and how to differentiate the good from the bad. They practice using a set of tools – the consumer’s questions – to deconstruct and evaluate information sources. Grades 9-12. NewseumED