Media Kids - Lesson Lesson Plan

Level: Grades 4 to 7

Author: MediaSmarts

Overview

In this lesson, students deconstruct gender portrayal and depictions of boys and girls in the media. They begin by looking at the appearance and mannerisms of boys and girls in TV, movies, ads and comic books and identify any stereotypes that are used. In a series of group activities, students explore gender stereotypes and representation in greater depth, as well as compare these representations to their own life experiences.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • recognize that the media construct reality
  • understand that the representations made by the media are not always accurate
  • understand how their own gender perceptions are affected by the media
  • become aware of how their own lives compare to how kids' are portrayed in the media

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

Lesson Kit