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Integrating Media Literacy Education into Teaching Social Studies

Social Studies, history and civics classes are the second-most-likely subject areas (after English/Language Arts) for integrating media education into the curriculum. This Q&A will guide you in that effort.

What does the National Council for the Social Studies say about the importance or relevance of media/media literacy?

Denee Mattioli, 2003-2004 NCSS president, says, “Our Founding Fathers understood that a democratic republic could not survive without an informed and participatory citizenry….It is essential in our citizenship role to view critically, analyze ask powerful questions and draw our own conclusions. Media literacy, then, is essential to the citizenship role.”

What are the social studies standards on media literacy in my state?

Media educator Frank Baker has built a matrix showing where all 50 states have at least one reference to media studies in the ELA curriculum. Ready-to-use summaries for California, Missouri and Michigan (locations of previous NAMLE conferences) here are printer-friendly PDFs: California state curriculum standards that incorporate teaching media literacy; Missouri Grade Level Expectations incorporating media literacy skills; and standards for Michigan K-8 Social Studies and Michigan High School Social Studies.

How do I begin integrating media education into my daily teaching?

Start with this outstanding, easy-to-implement, 12-page How to Integrate Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Into Any Curriculum (opens a PDF file in a new window) from Project Look Sharp at Ithaca College in New York, where many teachers learn how to incorporate media literacy into their classrooms.

Also check out the Media Education Lab at Temple University, which offers an outstanding free collection of education resources that will help you get started, including a Code of Best Practices for Fair Use in Media Literacy Education.

You might also just jump in by incorporating filmmaking into your classwork. Check out this outstanding site at The Director in the Classroom for why and how this can engage students and enhance learning like nothing else you might try.

Are there textbooks to help me learn about media/media literacy?

Yes. For the best books and teaching materials selected and reviewed by members of the National Association for Media Literacy Education, visit TeachMediaLiteracy.org and use the pull-down menus at the top of the page to select your grade level and curriculum area Social Studies, then hit the GO button.

What other resources are available?

• For relating to current events, the National Council of Social Studies offers "Media Literacy Skills: Interpreting Tragedy: With the onslaught of media coverage about terrorism and war, students must learn to question, analyze, and think critically about the values and perspectives behind media messages."
• The National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) is by all measures your best destination for general guidance and resources. NAMLE offers the only online catalog of comprehensive teaching resources, at TeachMediaLiteracy.org. At the top of the page, search under the yellow Curriculum Area drop-down for "Social Studies."
• Media Education Foundation Thought-provoking videos, most with printed discussion guides, primarily for older teens, college-age and adults. Topics include global media issues, consumer culture, media portrayals of race, gender and sexual orientation, media violence, alternative viewpoints, and much more.
• Media Literacy Project (formerly New Mexico Media Literacy Project) CD-ROM teaching resources, study guides and other materials, primarily around media influence on young people through advertising.
• This websites's section on media economics, democracy and global issues concerning media.

Are there online lesson plans relevant to history of media, the news, media mergers, political advertising, using newspapers in the Social Studies classroom, photography, propaganda, and visual literacy?

• The America Social History Project: Center for Media and Learning is a great site based at The City University of New York Graduate Center that "aims to revitalize interest in history by challenging the traditional ways that people learned about the past." Free online history resources including visuals, text and audio files organized by topic, and for-sale multimedia educational resources.
• Media Awareness Network See The Lesson Library on the right sidebar, with search capability by topic area and grade level. This is an outstanding site, and demonstrates how far the U.S. has to go in integrating media education into our curricula.
• PBS Teacher Source has a huge collection of lesson plans and activities.
• Media Literacy Clearinghouse has a wealth of information and links.
• Also, the Center for Media Literacy's section on Social Studies has links to excellent articles for background reading.

How can I locate a media education speaker for a workshop or conference?

That one's easy! Visit our Media Literacy Speakers Bureau™ here on this website.

Are there organizations and professional development opportunities to help me with my media literacy teaching?

Yes. Check  out our Community page, and review our Calendar of conferences & events.

Is there a media literacy list serve or discussion group I can join to network with others like me?

Yes, our Community page has details.

Once you learn to look and listen with media-literate eyes and ears, and to create your own messages in new media formats, your life will never be the same. That's good! Enjoy the journey.