Introducing TV Families - Lesson Lesson Plan

Diversity in Media
Stereotyping
Television

Level: Grades 2 to 5

Author: Adapted, with permission from, Television Families: A Media Literacy Resource Unit, Grades 2 - 6. The Waterloo County Board of Education © 1992.

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

Overview

This lesson encourages children to explore the differences between their real families and TV families by imagining how their own families might be portrayed on a television show. The lesson begins with a class discussion about different types of families. Students then assume the role of producers, and create a television show for their own families to star in. To emphasize the constructed nature of television programs, students are encouraged to create a fantasy setting and story for the show.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • understand that the representations made by the media are not always accurate
  • enjoy investigating family shows on TV
  • recognise that the media construct reality

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

Lesson Kit