This unit is designed to introduce Grade 12 students to critical analysis and media literacy. Relying heavily on material from the Centre for Media Literacy, students work with five key media literacy questions to analyze a range of texts, from advertisements through full movies. Students are expected to maintain their own reflective blogs as a component of their work.
Level: ENG4U- Timeframe: 12 periods, including a test period
Unit Outline
- Lesson 1: Introduction to the course (1 period)
- Lesson 2: Introduction to blogging and FCA novel selection (2 periods)
- Lesson 3: Media Literacy (1 period)
- Lesson 4: Stereotypes and Male Violence in Media (1 period)
- Lesson 5: Analyzing the News (1 period)
- Lesson 6: Online Safety and Research (1 period)
- Lesson 7: Camera Angles and Comic Strips (1 period)
- Lesson 8: Movie Analysis (3 periods)
- Unit Test
The unit outline [PDF] includes a summary of curriculum expectations plus a sample calendar.
Lesson Plans
Unit lesson plans [PDF] provide detailed steps to covering each of the unit topics, relating them to the corresponding expectations and teaching strategies.
Assignments
Reflective Blogging (10 marks)
Students begin blogging, publishing at least one reflective post and two comments on classmates’ blogs. Students evaluate their learning using the blogging self-evaluation rubric.
Media Text Analysis (10 marks)
Students use the five key media literacy questions to analyze an advertisement. Learning is assessed using the media text analysis evaluation rubric.
News Analysis (10 marks)
Students use an expanded analysis framework to discuss, in writing, a 30- to 60-minute news broadcast. Learning is assessed using the news analysis evaluation rubric.
Evaluating Online Resources (10 marks)
Students must find five credible online sources for a given topic. (Global warming is the topic in the attached handout; I have also used an author as a topic option.) Students are not able to progress in course activities until they have demonstrated competence in this. An evaluation rubric is available for this assignment.
Comic Strip Analysis (10 marks)
Students select a comic strip of at least five frames and analyze it in terms of camera techniques and storytelling. Learning is assessed using the comic analysis evaluation rubric.
Movie Analysis
While watching a movie in class, students complete the movie analysis handout [PDF]. This is not marked directly; however, students may bring their completed handouts to the unit test.
The 21st Century Literacy assignment summary [PDF] includes detailed instructions for students to complete each assignment.
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