All sources are pretty much the same, right? If this is how your class views the sources they use for writing or research projects, present them with a media literacy lesson plan on smart source evaluation. Groups examine several articles, discuss guiding questions, and create their own source evaluation tools.

Concepts

evaluating sources, evaluating websites, evaluating claims, media coverage, news articles, news reporting, news media, discussion skills, the internet

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Additional Tags

classroom support

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Instructional Ideas

• The lesson makes a great addition to a journalism or social studies class
• Allow plenty of time for discussion, as the interesting topics covered in the lesson are bound to get the class talking
  

Classroom Considerations

• Create a class set of the six articles used in the activity, so groups can cycle through them
• Each group needs a computer with Internet access
  

Pros

• Activity uses multiple sources and provides a simple approach to source evaluation
• Pupils work with current events in real time, making the lesson much more relevant
  

Cons

• None

Common Core

RI.9-10.1 RI.9-10.2 RI.9-10.7 RI.9-10.8 RI.11-12.1 RI.11-12.2 RI.11-12.7