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Media Literacy and Consumerism
Here is a list of recommended resources for teaching and learning about media literacy and consumerism including topics such as commercialism, marketing, and independent media. Below each resource you will find links to related Facing the Future lessons. View the criteria used to select these resources.
High School Resources
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The Consumer’s Guide to Effective Environmental Choices
Michael Brower and Warren Leon
This 304-page guide, published by the Union of Concerned Scientists, details simple things that people can do to save the planet.
Links to resources containing related Facing the Future lessons:
Book | ISBN 9780609802816 | $
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Adbusters Magazine
Adbusters Media Foundation
This not-for-profit, reader-supported magazine raises awareness about the erosion of the physical and cultural environment by commercial forces. The website includes selected articles and spreads, videos, guidelines for submitting ideas to the magazine, and information about campaigns such as "Buy Nothing Day," "Mental Detox Week," and "True Cost Economics."
Links to resources containing related Facing the Future lessons:
Online Magazine | Free
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Commercial Alert
Commercial Alert aims to prevent commercial culture from exploiting children and subverting the higher values of family, community, environmental integrity, and democracy. The website includes information on topics such as media violence, childhood obesity, and ads in schools and on school buses, and also features urgent campaigns and action alerts.
Links to resources containing related Facing the Future lessons:
Website | Free
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Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR)
FAIR is a national media watch group working to invigorate the First Amendment by advocating for greater diversity in the press and by scrutinizing media practices that marginalize public interest, minority, and dissenting viewpoints. By exposing neglected news stories and offering well-documented critiques of media bias, the website encourages people to become media activists rather than passive consumers of news.
Links to resources containing related Facing the Future lessons:
Website | Free
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Independent Media Center
IMC is a network of collectively run media outlets offering grassroots, non-corporate news coverage. The website includes features, newswires, and live web radio in different languages from Independent Media Centers around the world.
Links to resources containing related Facing the Future lessons:
Website | Free
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Middle School Resources
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Fast Food Nation
Eric Schlosser
This 183-page book is an expose of the fast food industry, with a section focusing on how junk food is marketed to youth.
Links to resources containing related Facing the Future lessons:
Book | ISBN 9780060838584 | $
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Green America
Green America's mission is to harness the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. The website includes programs, publications, and action campaigns on topics such as living green, fair trade, climate action, green energy, and socially responsible investing.
Links to resources containing related Facing the Future lessons:
Website | Free
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Marketing Power
The American Marketing Association
This website focuses on marketing, providing a history, best practices, and a code of ethics.
Links to resources containing related Facing the Future lessons:
Website | Free
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Elementary School Resources
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Media Literacy Grade 5
Teacher Created Resources
This 144-page lesson plan book helps students learn to think critically about the thousands of media messages they encounter each day via art, music, video games, radio, TV, websites, newspapers, magazines, ads, and packaging. Standards-based lessons require students to deconstruct, examine, discuss, and create media messages.
Links to resources containing related Facing the Future lessons:
Curriculum | $
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Don't Buy It: Get Media Smart
PBS Kids
This media literacy website encourages young people to think critically about media and become smart consumers, featuring activities designed to provide the skills and knowledge needed to question, analyze, interpret and evaluate media messages.
Links to resources containing related Facing the Future lessons:
Website | Free
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The Lesson Library
Media Awareness Network
This site offers a variety of K-12 lesson plans on topics such as stereotyping, violence, privacy, marketing to children, the portrayal of diversity in the media, and online hate.
Links to resources containing related Facing the Future lessons:
Website | Free
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Please contact us if you would like to suggest a resource or comment on any of these resources.
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