Taking Charge of TV Violence Lesson Plan

Level: Grades 5 to 7

Author: MediaSmarts

This lesson is part of USE, UNDERSTAND & ENGAGE: A Digital Media Literacy Framework for Canadian Schools.

Overview

In this lesson, students become aware of the types and amounts of violence in children's programming, and how media violence influences young viewers. The lesson begins with a class discussion about different forms of violence and the types of violent acts that are regularly featured on TV and streaming services. Students assess their own attitudes toward violence by determining what violent media content is suitable, and not suitable, for younger children. After reviewing existing rating codes, students create codes of their own. Based on a poll of younger children, students will then select, review, and rate favourite children's programs.

Learning Outcomes

Students demonstrate:

• an awareness of the different types of violence that appear in children's television programs.
• an awareness of how children’s programs on streaming services are regulated.
• an understanding of the voluntary codes that regulate violence in children's television in Canada.
• an understanding of their own reactions to various types of violence.
• an understanding of the need to limit the amount of violence viewed by young children.

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