Elementary Library

Step 2: Read Aloud Read one book using best practices for reading aloud. Use the resource guide to ask discussion questions and engage students in the book.

Say: What type of media is this book about? What was the character seeing or hearing that’s an example of media?

Step 3: Student Practice Kindergarten Say: We are going to list more examples now by labeling pictures of media.

Transition students to tables and supply them with pencils and worksheets. Display one picture of media at a time, (you may have students draw the card as a PBIS reward) ask students what it is, and model labeling the media. Extend the learning by describing if this fits the definition of media. For example, you can ask, “Is this something created by people for other people?” “Is this something we can see, hear, feel, or wear?” etc. Students should also write the label on the appropriate picture on their worksheet. They can also complete this activity after checking library books out. You may choose to have kindergarten complete this activity whole group instead of individually writing. Break up the activity with movement breaks as necessary. Grades 1-2 Say: Let’s look at a few examples of media and work together to identify elements that make up the media message. Let’s start with the book we read. How did the author, illustrator, and publisher communicate with us? Students should identify words (Text) and pictures (Images). Make a chart titled Elements of Media on a white board and write student responses. Label student responses with the academic term and talk about your process out loud.

Say: Right! Books have words or text, and pictures or images. These together make up the message. What would you say was the message of this book? Let’s look at another example.

Show examples (billboard, movie clip, web page, commercial, song, meme). With each example, have students identify the elements that make up the message. Use Think-Pair-Share to scaffold discussion. All messages are made up of text, images, audio, video, and animation. Students may use words like colors, sculptures, pictures, and music. Write these on the list and label them again with the correct academic language. During later examples, ask students to identify whether the element they noticed was text, images, audio, video, or animation. Ask students to identify the message of each media example.

Kindergarten - Grade 2

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