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	This is a fast-paced introduction to the way the media -- print and broadcast -- influence our perception of the world. It can help young adolescents become discriminating observers of news instead of passive viewers. Running time: About two minutes

Lesson 5: Examining Media Images

 
Rationale
According to Nielsen Inc., the average child watches about 24 hours of television a week. Five-year-olds typically have spent about 5,000 hours in front of the television before they enter kindergarten - more time than they have spent in conversation with their parents and longer than it takes to earn a college degree (Source: Rethinking Our Classrooms, a publication of Rethinking Schools). What does television teach us? In this lesson, students will have an opportunity to analyze how the media sometimes contribute to stereotypes.

Materials
Eye on Television: Investigative Report worksheet; blank paper; chart paper; markers; television section of a newspaper (optional)

Procedure
• Explain to the students that they will be investigating whether television programs create or contribute to stereotypes. To make sure students analyze a variety of shows, randomly distribute slips of paper that indicate one of six program types. (Modified procedure: Bring in the television section of the newspaper and ask students to choose the shows they want to analyze at home.)
• Distribute the Eye on Television: Investigative Report handout and review all the items with the students before assigning a completion date for the project.
• After they have completed the assignment, divide the students into groups of six. Each group should include students who have analyzed one of the six types of programs. The groups should share their findings first with the small groups, then with the entire class.
• Discuss the findings using some or all of the following questions:
” Have you reached any conclusions about how television portrays various groups?
” Did any shows use stereotypes to add humor? How else could the shows add humor to scripts without resorting to stereotypes?
” Were any groups depicted differently depending on the type of show? For example, police dramas may have shown a particular ethnic group as violent while sitcoms portrayed them as fun-loving.
” Can you think of any groups that television programs often exclude? What difference would that make?
” What are the possible implications of always filming particular types of shows in the same setting (such as police dramas in urban areas)?
” What effect might television stereotypes have on viewers?
” How can viewers challenge the stereotypes that are sometimes presented on television?

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