Resources for Teachers - Television

Talking to kids about media violence

Talking to kids about violence in the media they consume – television, movies, video games, music and the Internet – can help them put media violence into perspective and perhaps diffuse some of its power. 

Television Broadcast Ratings - Lesson

This lesson introduces students to the theory behind television ratings and encourages them to explore the commercial pressures driving the medium.

Images of Learning: Elementary - Lesson

This lesson helps students become more aware of the stereotypes associated with portrayals of students and teachers on TV. (It is also a good follow-up to the elementary lesson TV Stereotypes.)

Images of Learning: Secondary - Lesson

This lesson helps students become more aware of the stereotypes associated with portrayals of students and teachers on television and on film.

Police in the Media

This lesson helps students understand the different perceptions of the police force portrayed in the media. Students will learn about the differences between the constructed reality of media and law enforcement in real life and then create their television “cop shows” that provide a more accurate picture of policing.