LESSON SEVEN: Analyzing Messages in Various Media
LESSON DESCRIPTION
Students analyze messages conveyed in various media (e.g. videos, pictures, websites, artwork, plays and/or news programs) to determine what hardships soldiers and their families face during a time of war. Teachers provide many examples of various media for students to analyze.
GRADE-LEVEL EXPECTATIONS
IL2A Analyze messages conveyed in various media (e.g. videos, pictures, web sites, artwork, plays and/or news programs)
LESSON MATERIALS
§ Sources of Literature
o None
§ Supplies
o Chart paper
o Poster board
o Various media resources depicting
§ Handouts provided
o None
§ Words to know
o media
Students independently view a new media source (artwork, photo, poster, Internet site, etc) not previously discussed and describe how people, objects, and text combine to form a central message. Scoring guide provided.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
1. Lead students in whole group discussion on the essential question.
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Questions for Students |
Is freedom worth the price paid by freedom fighters?
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2. Brainstorm and list various Media sources that are used to portray messages to the public (i.e., photographs, songs, cartoons, etc.)
Strategy
Using the Media Source chart, teacher uses a “think-aloud” strategy to show how people, objects, and words help convey a message. Various media sources can be displayed such as photographs, songs, news programs and/or documentaries. Topic might include World War II, Native Americans, slave uprisings and brutal punishments, Sparticus’ uprising and the crucifixion of the Roman slave at the Apian Way, Civil Rights Movements, Iraqi War, etc.
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Questions for Students |
Is freedom worth the price paid by freedom fighters and their families? How did the various media sources portray people? (emotions, dress, actions, etc.) How are objects used by the media to convey the message? How did the text (oral or visual) help convey the message? What is the message conveyed in each source of media? What are the similarities and differences in the messages conveyed in all three media sources? What if we can’t find the message? Many times the true meaning of a message is hidden below the surface. It is not always stated. It will help to analyze (take apart) different elements of the media source and then combine them. |
3. Teacher places various media around the room in stations. Students rotate stations answering the above questions on the following chart.
Media Sources Chart
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Station Number |
Words or Phrases
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People (emotions, dress, actions, etc.) |
Objects |
Artist’s Message |
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Choose one station above to writ a summary statement about how the artist used people, objects and/or text to portray a message:
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4. Conduct a culminating discussion of the overarching essential question.
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Questions for Students |
Is freedom worth the price paid by freedom fighters and their families?
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Directions:
Teacher displays three different media source with strong messages. Students form an overall impression of the three items and analyze each for the intended message. Each item is identified by a number. Students complete the Media Sources Chart and summarize how the various media convey the message of the hardships of war for members of the military and their family.
Media Sources Chart
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Media |
Words or Phrases |
People (emotions, dress, actions, etc.) |
Objects |
Artist’s Message |
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#1 |
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#2 |
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#3
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Summary Statement: How do the various media convey the message of the hardships of war for members of the military and their family?
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