Elementary Library

Say: Our learning goal today is…

Read and display “I can” statements.

DIRECT INSTRUCTION & PRACTICE Step 1: Read Aloud & Discuss

Say: We will start by reading a story. The character in this book experiences a lot of triggers. While we read, think about what a trigger is in the book and how triggers could also be in digital media.

Read selected book using best practices for reading aloud. Invite student discussion throughout the book focusing on triggers.

Say: After reading this book, how would you define the word “trigger”? Triggers in digital media are anything that make us feel really strong emotions. What might those triggers look like?

●​ Sad or provoking pictures ●​ Headlines with flashy words ●​ Hyperbole and exaggeration ●​ Extreme opinions in the comments

Say: Digital detectives pay attention to their feelings while they read and look at media. When they are triggered, digital detectives press pause. When you feel stressed or angry, what do you feel in your body?

Facilitate student response.

Step 2: Introduce Trigger Lens Invite a few students (or all) to do jumping jacks for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Afterwards, ask them to pay attention to their heart rate. Have them describe their experience to a partner. Say: We can be aware of our body and feelings when we are reading as well. In fact, we need to be! When we are emotional, we stop thinking with our brains and can easily make decisions we regret later. Emotional triggers are credibility red flags. Fake news, disinformation, and misinformation often use triggers to try and trick readers. We need to pause and look for more credibility clues before we share anything with a trigger red flag. Let’s go deeper. Here is an infographic explaining how to evaluate media for triggers. Display Lens 1: Dusting for Fingerprints Infographic and have students read and discuss in small groups. Step 3: Small Group Media Evaluations Say: Using these questions we are going to evaluate some memes and articles. (Pass out Likert Scale and explain how to use it to students). Around the room are a few examples of media. Your job is to use the Likert Scale to identify if there is an emotional trigger at play.

You can choose to have students move around the room in small groups or facilitate this activity

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