We have now officially compelted the first dry run of the elementary unit teaching about media literacy and underage drinking in project-based learning format. This unit was spurred by several requests from teachers to have a unit available from elementary students. Based on some general internet research (see sources below) it appears that we need to move our efforts of educating elemntary kids about underage drinking and media literacy.
The curriculum that we have put together is the first rough draft of a 5 day classroom project teaching in general about media literacy relating to alcohol. The project entails the creation of media using Scracth and Storyboarding for a TV AD to counter the alcohol advertisements that youth are exposed to.
Overall, the curriculum looks to be a good start to teaching elemetnary students about alcohol and media, though there is a need for several changes to be made: 1. The lessons need to be stretched over 2 weeks or shortened. 2. The activities need to be more active and moving. 3. The concepts need to be simplified into activities that work in better conjuction with the Scratch Media Project.
To view or dowload the 3rd Grade Curriculum, Click here.
To View Student Media Gallery, click here.