The Anatomy of Cool - Lesson Lesson Plan

Level: Grades 4 to 7

Author: MediaSmarts

Overview

This lesson helps students become more aware of the media's role in determining what, and who, are perceived as being cool. Through class discussion and activities, students explore the differences between superficial and real "coolness," how marketers use cool to sell products, and how their own attitudes and perceptions are affected by media messages that reinforce specific messages about what coolness is.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• understand the influences of the media in defining society's standards regarding who is successful and what is desirable
• understand the transience and superficiality of media images and messages regarding who and what is cool
• understand how they themselves are influenced by these media images and messages

This lesson and all associated documents (handouts, overheads, backgrounders) is available in an easy-print, pdf kit version.