ARTSEDGE: Media Awareness

This Unit at a Glance:

Grade Band:

Integrated Subjects:
(click to view more lessons in these areas)

Targeted Standards:

The National Standards For Arts Education:

Visual Arts (5-8)
Standard 1: Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes

Visual Arts (5-8)
Standard 2: Using knowledge of structures and functions

Visual Arts (5-8)
Standard 3: Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas

Visual Arts (5-8)
Standard 4: Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures

Visual Arts (5-8)
Standard 5: Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others

Other National Standards:

Language Arts III (6-8) Standard 2: Uses the stylistic and rhetorical aspects of writing

Language Arts III (6-8) Standard 4: Gathers and uses information for research purposes

Language Arts III (6-8) Standard 8: Uses listening and speaking strategies for different purposes

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Media Awareness

Unit Overview:

This mini curriculum unit introduces grades 5-8 to the concept of images presented through the media, primarily advertising through print and on television. The unit is divided into three approximately 45-minute lessons.

Lesson Overviews:

Media Awareness, Lesson 1

Students will use their favorite items (games, CDs, etc) to explore advertising concepts and target audiences.

Media Awareness, Lesson 2

Students bring advertisements from home to discuss purpose, target audience and value of advertising.

Media Awareness, Lesson 3

Students complete their advertisements, then work in teams to develop their development and marketing strategies.