Media Literacy and Information Literacy
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The Merchants of Cool
"A report on the creators and marketers of popular culture for teenagers." It is possible to watch this report online. Follow the link to find the Teacher's Guide.

My Pop Studio and My Pop Studio Curriculum
A creative play experience that strengthens critical thinking skills about television, music, magazines and online media directed at girls. Parents and educators can highlight the learning outcomes of My Pop Studio by encouraging girls to share and discuss activities on the site, and by extending into offline activities from the curriculum guide.

National Association for Media Literacy Education
Journal, blogs, and other professional resources.

News on the Web
This interactive article examines the history and technology of modern news reporting. From Socialstudies.com.

Newseum
The "News Museum" Web site. Excellent reference and teaching tool.

PBS TeacherSource for Media Literacy
PBS sites and programs related to Media Literacy. Information is tied to PBS programming.

The Persuaders
"In The Persuaders Frontline explores how the cultures of marketing and advertising have come to influence not only what Americans buy, but also how they view themselves and the world around them." It is possible to view this documentary online. Scroll to the bottom for a teacher's guide with discussion questions and a handout.

Photography
A variety of sites about photography.

Picking Up the Pieces and Putting them Back Together: Writing Breaking News
Students examine how a breaking news story is constructed, first by predicting what facts and details must appear in what order, and then by assembling the story from cut-up pieces. They then practice writing their own 'breaking news' lead paragraphs.

Powers of Persuasion , Poster Art from WW II
This online exhibit features 33 posters and 1 sound file from a more extensive exhibit that was presented in the National Archives Building in Washington, DC, from May 1994 to February 1995.

Protecting Our Space: Developing Public Service Announcements to Offer Information about Online Safety Concerns for Teens
"Students share opinions and information about safety issues and concerns on social networking Web sites. They then develop public service announcements designed to inform their peers and guardians."

Radio Days
In this WebQuest, students research the "Golden Age of Radio" and create their own radio drama.

Swift Response: Debating the Rights of the Press in Reporting on Matters Affecting National Security
In this lesson from the New York Times, students consider "how matters of national security affect the press' ability to practice free speech."

Teen Scene: Examining the Relationship between the Media and Teen Culture
Students "investigate and analyze a number of teen-focused television shows, movies, magazines, advertisements, and Web sites to explore the relationship between the media and teen culture."

Team up for Sports Marketing!
Students create a marketing campaign for a sports team. They create press releases, business cards, and ads or commercials, all using advertising techniques they have studied.

Understand Media
This series of podcasts addresses media literacy.

Understanding the Hype: Media Literacy
An Education World e-Interview With Catherine Gourley, including five "principles of knowledge" related to media literacy.

Wartime Posters Activity
Students investigate the impact of posters during WWII. Activities and focus questions at the site, video available.

Who Said That?
"Students complete a tutorial on Web literacy and use what they learn to evaluate a Web site." This lesson is designed for grades 6-8.