Sheroes and Heroes - Lesson

Lesson Plan

Level: Grades 3 to 6

Duration: 50 minutes

Author: The following lessons have been taken, with permission, from "Media Violence: Pulling the Plug on the Power Myth," in Kids Talk TV: Inside Out, © Office of Communication, United Church of Christ.

Overview

This lesson introduces students to some of the myth-building techniques of television, by comparing real world (s)heroes with TV world (s)heroes and by looking at stereotypes in the world of TV (s)heroes. The lesson begins with a discussion about the traits and characteristics that distinguish heroism in the real world and heroism in the fantasy world of television. In small groups, students will create lists of sheroes and heroes from television and from real life and, using props they have created, will present these people to fellow students. As an extension activity, students will write a short story about a real life hero that they know.

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate:

• understanding of the differences between real world (s)heroes and TV world (s)heroes
• awareness of how stars and super (s)heroes are created on television
• awareness of the stereotypes that are used in the world of TV (s)heroes

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

Lesson Kit:

Lesson_Sheroes_and_Heroes.pdf