Educators, below you will see a list of activities for each week. This includes further description of how to complete the assignment and how this connects back to the unit.
WEEK 1
Day 1
The first day will be dedicated to looking at media to give students a better understanding of the different outlets of media. Listed below are some discussion questions addressing how media dictates our social culture and personal lives in our society. Students will be handed a worksheet on different media outlets
-
Discussion Questions: How does the media shape individual beliefs and cultural norms? Does media portray stereotypes and if so, what kind?
Day 2
The second day will be introducing drugs and alcohol. Students will be able to get a further look into how media portrays drugs and alcohols. Lead a discussion based around the different ways media portrays drugs and alcohol, in order to help students realize the dangers of drug/alcohol abuse.
-
Discussion Questions: What do you know about drugs and alcohol in the media? Who endorses them (i.e. actors/actresses, athletes)? What popular movies portray drugs and alcohol? Are the portrayed positively or negatively? How does this make you feel?
Day 3
Students will be analyzing the effects of drugs and alcohol through a 20-minute documentary called “Teen Truth: An Inside Look at Drug and Alcohol Abuse”. The documentary is intended to show students the truth behind alcohol and drug abuse. It interviews actual teenagers and their personal struggle with the abuse and the consequences of doing so. Afterward, hold a discussion on the video.
-
Homework is for the students to find a pop culture reference to drugs and alcohol in media.
Day 4
Students will bring in the research they found on pop culture portrayal and will share in small groups. They will then do further research in their groups on one of the topics to make a poster teaching the class about their findings.
Day 5
The focus of day 5 is the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. Invite a guest speaker, a DUI offender to talk about his personal story. Students will also watch the YouTube video “I Killed a Man” by Matthew Cordle, showing the consequences of driving under the influence.
WEEK 2
Day 6
We will have a police officer come in to talk about D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). The police officer will give a presentation on statistics related to drugs and alcohol among teenagers.
Day 7
Students will participate in an activity called “drunk glasses” to create the experience of being drunk and unable to walk. The discussion will lead to the dangers of peer pressure. Lead a discussion addressing peer pressure with the questions below.
-
Discussion Questions: How do you say no to peer pressure? What are ways that help you stay true to yourself? What are things you can do instead of drinking/using drugs?
Day 8
On day 8, facilitate a discussion on how to help others stay clean and most importantly, where to find resources and to get help. Students are encouraged to be positive influences and knowledgeable citizens by signing a contract to commit to a drug-free life.
-
Discussion Questions: How can you support your friends and encourage them to stay away from substances? What resources do you know of?
Day 9
Introduce the way media perpetuates ideal body standards in both males and females through the lecture powerpoint provided below.
-
Homework for the students is to bring in magazine clippings to discuss how media portrays bodies.
Day 10
Students will analyze the media advertisements as a class, finding a way to categorize the different images. Have a discussion on the concept of the perfect body.
-
Discussion Questions: What are some commonalities among the different photos? What kind of body does the media endorse for males? Females? What is the dominant thinking of having the ideal look? Why does society consider our physical features the measure of our beauty?
WEEK 3
Day 11
Read excerpts from The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolfe in class. This piece takes a feminist approach to analyzing how men’s standards of beauty in society hold women back. It is important to take this piece to apply it to other social groups, of how women create beauty standards for men as well.
Day 12
A short YouTube clip called “Women’s Ideal Body Type Around the World” shows how beauty standards around the world can vary. Facilitate a discussion with the following questions on how this relates to The Beauty Myth that we read the day before.
-
Discussion Questions: Why do you think different regions of the world have different perceptions of the ideal body? How can we apply the concepts we learned from the Beauty Myth to this video?
Day 13
Spend this day focusing on boosting body image. Students are encouraged to explore different ways they can boost their own body image as well as use media to spread messages of body positivity. They will brainstorm ways, addressing any of the topics covered in this unit (drugs, alcohol, body image), on how to decrease the effects of media in these two areas and how to remedy these issues. This is an introduction to the final project.
Day 14
Students will have the opportunity to utilize class time to discuss and research the topic they would like to present.
Day 15
Students will watch part of a 90-minute documentary called “Miss Representation”, showcasing the challenges teens face when it comes to body image issues. The documentary analyzes the long-term effects of the negative messages media sends to teenagers.
WEEK 4
Day 16
Students will finish watching “Miss Representation” in class. After, students will participate in a Socratic seminar based on the documentary and the challenges individuals face trying to emulate the media’s portrayal of “the perfect body”.
-
Discussion Questions: What does the phrase mean "you can't be what you can't see"? What is objectification? Who influences media?
Day 17
Day 17 focuses on personal body image issues. This is a sensitive subject, so ask the students to sign a confidentiality form before starting. The students will first do a quick write on the struggles they have had related to body image. Then, students will participate in “secret circles” where they will have the opportunity to share their struggles and to encourage each other.
-
Homework: Bring an electronic device that you can use to access the Internet
Day 18
In the first half of the class, allow students to use their devices to analyze how social media can be used to spread messages of body positivity. Below, is an example of a blogger whose aim is to boost body image and self-esteem through practicing healthy physical and mental living. The second half of class will be dedicated finish up the presentations.
-
Homework: Be prepared! Presentations start tomorrow
Day 19
Students will start presenting their project.
Day 20
Project Presentations