This week, middle school students were introduced to a new curriculum in media literacy. MMS combined elements of curricula from The Representation Project, Common Sense Media, and Photovoice in a focused learning experience of how to create and evaluate media appropriate for 11-14 year olds. The intention of the project is to have the students develop their capacity for discernment as they move towards independence and the “filters” adults place upon them are slowly removed over the span of middle and high school.
The activities are designed to encourage students to become creators of media rather than just consumers. In addition to examining and analyzing the messages in media, students will approach media from the inside-out as they create their own messages.
One challenge in presenting this curriculum is that many students almost exclusively interact with media in the digital world. Much of the available curriculum in media literacy still looks at primarily print media.In their first lesson, students considered internet ‘memes’ as a way of influencing culture. A meme is a piece of media on the internet that spreads quickly from person to person. While most students know memes as jokes, the students were asked to consider memes that send multiple intentional messages either embedded in humor or in a way that is not humorous. Students were challenged to create memes that spread positive ideas and used their own photography. Some examples of the students’ creations are included here.
This curriculum will continue in the middle school through the January special schedule, as the middle school students will not have performing arts at that time.
### By Lisa Catterall, director of middle school
Nestled among the redwoods on 355 mountaintop acres, Mount Madonna is a safe and nurturing college-preparatory school that supports students in becoming caring, self-aware and articulate critical thinkers, who are prepared to meet challenges with perseverance, creativity and integrity. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville.
