Elementary Library

Say: There are so many wonderful toys and things in our lives that it can be fun to dream about and want! Have you stopped to think about why you want those things? Did you see a commercial? Did you see a poster? Did you see it at the store or at your friend’s house? Maybe you saw it in some kind of media. Who remembers what media means? (Repeat action rhyme from previous week if necessary) Today, we are talking about how all media has a message and it can impact you.

Display “I can” objective. Say: Our “I can…” for today is, “ I can recognize the message of media and its impact on me. ” Repeat it with me!

Say: We are also learning about wants and needs, which media can make very confusing! The other I can for today is, “ I can recognize and explain the difference between wants and needs.” DIRECT INSTRUCTION & PRACTICE Say: We need to define a few words before we start reading today. Work with students to create definitions for the following words. Use the word in a sentence and then ask students to describe what it means: ●​ Message - what media is trying to tell us ●​ Impact - the effect of media that makes me think or feel something

Say: Let’s practice looking for a message from media by reading a book. While we are reading, I want you to think about what is the main idea or message of the story.

Introduce and read The Incredible Book-Eating Boy utilizing the discussion guide. Use best practices while reading aloud. After reading, use Think-Pair-Share and prompt students to come up with a message from this book. You can ask, “What do we learn from this book?” or “What was the main idea of this story?”

Lead students through a music and movement break.

Say: Sometimes media tries to make us want things. The message is “You need this thing!” Or “This thing is so cool!” and that makes you want it. But not everything we want is a need. Let’s talk about the difference between wants and needs. A need is something we must have to live. For example, food. Can you think of any other needs?...Great ideas! A want is something we wish for that we don’t need to live. For example, toys! Can you think of any other wants? Show a few clips of advertisements from the Kids’ Commercials playlist by Gearshift Productions on YouTube. Ask students to identify the message of the clip, and whether the item is a want or need. Ask them to pay attention to how the commercials make them feel. Verbalize that commercials are designed to make them want things you might not actually need. That’s the message’s impact on viewers. Take breaks between examples as necessary or move to the second story.

Introduce and read the second story utilizing the discussion guide. Use best practices while reading aloud. Connect the story to today’s learning.

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