Facilitator Guide -- Media Literacy
This guide is for the adult running the lessons. No journalism or media background is required.
Purpose
Media Literacy teaches children ages 8-12 how media is constructed, how the attention economy works, how to verify information, and how algorithms shape what they see. The curriculum builds a practical skepticism toolkit -- not cynicism, but the habit of asking "who made this, and why?"
Who This Is For
Parents and caregivers (especially around screen time and online content), classroom teachers, homeschool families, after-school programs, and libraries.
How to Run a 10-20 Minute Lesson
Before the session (5 min): Read the lesson and note the key concept and discussion questions.
During the session:
- Open with a recent media observation: "Did you see something interesting online or on TV lately?" (1-2 min)
- Explain the lesson concept briefly (3-5 min)
- Work through the activity -- a re-edit, ad tracker, fact-check sprint, etc. (5-10 min)
- Discussion (3-5 min)
- Close with one exit prompt (1-2 min)
Recommended Session Flow
| Step | Time | What You Do |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-up | 1-2 min | Recent media observation |
| Concept | 3-5 min | Brief explanation |
| Activity | 5-10 min | Lesson-specific activity |
| Discussion | 3-5 min | What did you notice? |
| Close | 1-2 min | Exit prompt |
Using Real Media Examples
The curriculum encourages looking at real media with a critical eye. Guidelines:
- Use media the student has actually encountered (not adult news content)
- Focus on the technique or structure, not the politics
- Avoid having students evaluate politically charged content
- "How was this made?" is a better question than "Is this right?"
Adapting for Different Settings
One child at home: Use media the child actually consumes as examples. Looking at a YouTube thumbnail, an ad, or a video game trailer through the lens of "Who made this and why?" is very powerful.
Homeschool group: The Re-Edit (Week 4), Ad Tracker (Week 7), and Feed Swap (Week 14) work especially well with groups. The final media project (Weeks 15-18) can be a group production.
Classroom: Pairs naturally with ELA (argument, source evaluation, writing). The fact-check sprint (Week 10) is a good anchor for research skills.
Library: Strong fit for library programs focused on information literacy and research skills.
Supporting Different Learners
Younger learners (8-9): Focus on Weeks 1-8 -- what media is, how it is made, and how ads work. The verification unit (Weeks 9-11) works better with 10+.
Older learners (11-12+): The algorithm and filter bubble unit (Weeks 12-14) and the optional extensions (AI media, journalism deep dive) are most engaging for older students.
Handling Sensitive Topics
Stay away from current partisan political content. The curriculum teaches media construction techniques, not which news sources are trustworthy. If students bring up specific politically charged content, redirect: "What techniques from today's lesson do you see in this?"
Clickbait and manipulative design patterns can be distressing for some students. Frame the discussion as "here is how this works" rather than "this is designed to trick you."
Checking Understanding
- "What are the four reasons people make media? Can you give an example of each?"
- "What is one thing you would check before sharing something you saw online?"
- "What is a filter bubble?"
Privacy and Student Data
No student data is collected. The Media Detective Notebook is kept by the student. Nothing is submitted to the website.