Investigating junk mail: Negotiating critical literacy at the mailbox
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=321
A lesson plan for grades 3–5 English Language Arts and Information Skills
In this ReadWriteThink lesson, students learn to think about and question texts in ways that develop their analytical capacities and critical reading practices by investigating junk mail. To become critical consumers, students must develop the ability to sift through and analyze the texts in multiple media that inform, entertain and sell, by asking questions about what is in a text, what is not there, and who a text is for. Their ability to bring critical thinking skills to bear on all media- from television and magazine ads to junk mail and billboards-enables students to participate more fully as members of a variety of literacy communities. This lesson incorporates several interactive activities.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
English Language Arts (2004)
Grade 3
- Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
- Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
- author's purpose.
- plot.
- conflict.
- sequence.
- resolution.
- lesson and/or message.
- main idea and supporting details.
- cause and effect.
- fact and opinion.
- point of view (author and character).
- author's use of figurative language (e.g., simile, metaphor, imagery).
- Objective 2.05: Draw conclusions, make generalizations, and gather support by referencing the text.
- Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
- Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
- Objective 3.02: Identify and discuss similarities and differences in events, characters, concepts and ideas within and across selections and support them by referencing the text.
Grade 4
- Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
- Objective 2.05: Make inferences, draw conclusions, make generalizations, and support by referencing the text.
Grade 5
- Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
- Objective 2.05: Evaluate inferences, conclusions, and generalizations and provide evidence by referencing the text(s).
- Objective 2.10: Identify strategies used by a speaker or writer to inform, entertain, or influence an audience.
- Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
- Objective 3.02: Make connections between texts by recognizing similarities and differences based on a common lesson, theme, or message.
- Objective 3.04: Make informed judgments about television, radio, video/film productions, and other electronic mediums and/or print formats.
- Objective 3.07: Make informed judgments about:
- bias.
- propaganda.
- stereotyping.
- media techniques.
Information Skills (2000)
Grade 3
- Goal 2: The learner will IDENTIFY and USE criteria for excellence to evaluate information and formats.
- Objective 2.06: Recognize the power of media to influence.
Grade 4
- Goal 2: The learner will IDENTIFY and USE criteria for excellence to evaluate information and formats.
- Objective 2.06: Recognize the power of media to influence.
Grade 5
- Goal 2: The learner will IDENTIFY and USE criteria for excellence to evaluate information and formats.
- Objective 2.06: Recognize the power of media to influence.
