In this document you’ll find recommended books in several categories and on a variety of subjects. We have also curated a series of children’s books for educators and parents to use, and you’ll find links to these compilations at the beginning of this document. You’ll also find books for adults on education, social justice, environmental…
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Find suggested books, websites, articles, videos, lesson plans, activities and other resources on media, medial literacy and marketing issues to help you learn and/or teach about this topic.
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by Marsha Rakestraw In March 2014, a couple of essays appeared in Slate and New York Magazine, castigating mothers of girls for complaining about the “pinkification” of girl stuff, citing it as an example of girl blaming. Author Yael Kohen wrote, “No symbol of girl culture is more powerful than pink.” There was a significant counter-response…
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Billboards are omnipresent in most communities and on many roadways. These in-our-face ads can have a powerful influence on us. Students explore issues surrounding billboards and the values billboard ads promote and design new billboards that help reclaim their visual space and restore value in their communities and culture. Recommended for grades 9 and up….
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by Marsha Rakestraw A few years ago at our graduate student residency, one of the students led an activity in which small groups looked at the prevalence of men, women, and people of color as authors of articles in different sections of the newspaper, such as Style, Sports, Business, and Arts. They found that men…
Read more » We’re surrounded by marketing and advertising telling us what to buy, whom to be, what we need to be happy. Use this series of activities to help students explore issues of branding, marketing, and globalization. Recommended for grades 9 through 12. Time: Several weeks Common Core Standards for this activity (pdf): Download Common Core…
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This activity encourages students to explore and think critically about the impacts of the ingredients in the personal care products that they use on themselves, other people, animals and the environment, as well as how branding and marketing play into our choices. Recommended for grades 8 and up. Time: A few days to several weeks…
Read more » Unveil the manipulation inherent in marketing and corporate branding and awaken the creativity of your students by having them explore commercials aimed at them and then empowering them to create new commercials with a positive message. Recommended for grades 8 and up. Time: Two class periods, one week apart Common Core Standards for this…
Read more » Students learn to be ad-savvy by exploring the pervasiveness of ads in their lives and by analyzing what ads are trying to sell…and trying to hide. Recommended for grades 5 and up. Time: 45-60 minutes Common Core Standards for this activity (pdf): Download Common Core for grades 5-8. Download Common Core for grades 9-12….
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by Marsha Rakestraw Dressing up on Halloween isn’t just for kids. According to the 2011 National Retail Federation survey, almost half of adults plan to don costumes for Halloween this year, and more than 1 in 10 pet guardians will adorn their furry friends. Americans are expected to spend $2.5 billion on Halloween costumes this…
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