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.
What Is ‘Fake News’ And How Does It Impact Our Lives?
Grades 9-12. C-SPAN Classroom Deliberations
This deliberation will have students view short video clips and news articles to analyze the effect of fake news on traditional media outlets, the reasons and incentives for purveyors of “fake news,” and provide students with resources to strengthen their media literacy skills. Students will use this information to develop strategies to identify “fake news” and improve their news literacy.
NewsFeed Defenders
Grades 9-12 and adults. iCivics and Annenberg Classroom
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.
Decoding the News: Building Savvy Media Consumers
Grades 9-12. ABOTA Foundation
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.
Understanding Fake News
Grades 9-12. Constitutional Rights Foundation
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.
Media Literacy Booster Pack
Grades 6-12. NewseumED
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.
The Fundamentals of News
Grades 6-8. NewseumED
Students learn why news matters and how to distinguish between the different media-related terms they might hear being thrown around.
Is This Story Share-Worthy? Flowchart
Grades 6-12. NewseumED
Students use an infographic to gauge the value of a news story and weigh what they should do with it.
Fake News: What’s the Big Deal?
Grades 6-12. NewseumED
Students watch a video in which teens reflect on the concept of fake news, and then discuss their own experiences with misinformation.
E.S.C.A.P.E. Junk News
Grades 6-12. NewseumED
Students learn a handy acronym to help them remember six key concepts for evaluating information, then test the concepts in teams.
How to Fact-Check History
Grades 6-12. Retro Report
This lesson and its accompanying seven-minute video introduce students to a professional fact-checker, who describes the methods and processes he employs to verify information that appears in news stories.
Media Literacy: Making Sense of the 24-7 News Cycle
Grades 7-12 and up. Youth Leadership Initiative
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.
Annenberg Classroom Glossary
Grades 6-12. Annenberg Classroom
An excellent and comprehensive compilation of civics related terms.