Project Look Sharp

Farming, Community, and Sustainability

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing the roles of community, farmers and farm labor in food system sustainability using visual imagery, film and song.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and Agriculture

Visual Arts, Film/Video Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Music, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

High School, College
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT READING, POWERPOINT, VIDEO, AUDIO

Chart/graph, Documentary Film, Illustration, Music/song, Poster, Television Commercial, Webpage, Web Video, Music/song

Pdf, Ppt, Mp4

Sox Sperry

Food Security

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing videos and text excerpts as a means to understand the conditions required for food security, the causes of food insecurity and potential solutions leading to food security.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and Agriculture

Health, Film/Video Arts, Journalism, Nutrition, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

High School, College
Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, ASSESSMENT, STUDENT READING, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, VIDEO

Documentary Film, Informational Text, News - Print, Web Video

Pdf, Mp4

Sox Sperry

Food Waste: What’s the Problem? What’s the Solution?

In this media literacy activity students analyze videos for messages about the problems and potential solutions related to global food waste and climate change.

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Health, Nutrition, Consumer Education, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, Economics, Sociology

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

VIDEO, ACTIVITY PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE

Animated Film, Web Video

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Frogs and Atrazine

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short informational writing excerpts to consider opposing views on the possible relationship between frog popultion decline and the use of the herbicide atrazine.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Endangered Species

Health, Journalism, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

STUDENT WORKSHEET, STUDENT READING, TEACHER GUIDE, LESSON PLAN

Editorial Opinion, News - Print, Webpage

Pdf

Sox Sperry

GMO Yes or No - Decoding Movie Trailers

Students analyze two short movie trailers for messages about GMOs, to ask and answer questions about sourcing and credibility, and to reflect on their own confirmation biases.

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Health, Film/Video Arts, Nutrition, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, Civics And Government, Economics, Library/Information Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE

Documentary Film, Web Video

Pdf, Mp4

Kathy Daniels

GMOs: Bias and Credibility in Media Messages

Students analyze three web videos from corporate, academic and activist sources for messages about genetically modified organisms, techniques used to sway the viewer, and questions about credibility and one’s own confirmation biases.

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Health, Film/Video Arts, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Economics, Sociology, Library/Information Literacy

High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

VIDEO, TEACHER GUIDE, ACTIVITY PLAN

Web Video, Animated Film, Web Video

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

GMOs: For Whose Benefit and At What Cost?

Students analyze a magazine cover, a book cover and a web page for messages about genetically engineered food and about sponsorship of media messages.This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Chemicals in the Environment." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Commercial Arts/Advertising, Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Illustration, Informational Text, Magazine, Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Geoengineering: Can Techno Fixes Save Us From Climate Change?

This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode two articles about geoengineering for credibility and for conflicting perspectives about its usefulness as a tool to combat climate change.

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Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, Economics, Sociology

High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT

News - Print, Webpage

Pdf

Sox Sperry

Giant Redwood Trees of California, 1874 Painting

Students analyze a 19th century painting for messages about California redwood forests and about painters' techniques of representation. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

POWERPOINT, TEACHER GUIDE

Illustration

Pptx, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Gladys City Oil Stock Certificate

Students analyze an early 20th century stock certificate for messages about oil, land management and about historical context. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Informational Text

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Green Revolution

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson exploring arguments for and against green revolution technology by reading excerpts from four articles about Norman Borlaug, founder of the Green Revolution.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Playlist: Economics & Social Justice
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and Agriculture

Health, Journalism, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT READING, STUDENT WORKSHEET

Editorial Opinion, Informational Text, News - Print

Pdf

Sox Sperry

Green Transportation: Electric Cars vs. Bicycles

This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two short excerpts from online articles for messages about the economic and environmental benefits and costs of electric vehicles.

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Consumer Education, Environmental Studies, Economics, Sociology

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT HANDOUT

Webpage

Pdf

Joanne Church & Sox Sperry

Greta Meets Malala: How Different Media Forms Present the News

In this media literacy activity students analyze media reports on the meeting between Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai. In addition to learning about the two young activists, students reflect on the qualities of different media forms including news and opinion articles, a tweet and posts on Instagram and Facebook.

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Journalism, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, Sociology, General Media Literacy, Library/Information Literacy, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT

Editorial Opinion, News - Print, Photograph, Social Media

Pdf

Sox Sperry

Guiding Our Food Choices

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson considering how food choices impact personal, social and environmental health by analyzing web pages and diagrams.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Food, Water, and Agriculture

Health, Psychology, Visual Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Journalism, Nutrition, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

High School, College
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT READING, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Chart/graph, Illustration, Informational Text, Poster, Webpage

Pdf, Ppt

Sox Sperry

Habitat Destruction: The Idea of Progress

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a painting and a Facebook post for messages about the impact of habitat destruction on biodiversity.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Biodiversity
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Visual Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Illustration, Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Heroes for Animal Protection

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing a book and video about songbird steward Rachel Carson and composing a social message about being an animal steward.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Animals (lower elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary

Health, Math, Student Media Production, Visual Arts, Film/Video Arts, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy, Library/Information Literacy, ELA/English Language Arts

Lower Elementary
Individual, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT, VIDEO

Illustration, Informational Text, Literature, Social Media, Web Video

Pdf, Pptx, Mp4

Sox Sperry & Caren Arnold

Heroes for Plant Protection

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing a book and video about tree steward Wangari Maathai and composing a social message about being a plant steward.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Playlist: English Language Arts
Unit: Plants (lower elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary

Math, Student Media Production, Visual Arts, Film/Video Arts, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy, Library/Information Literacy, ELA/English Language Arts

Lower Elementary
Individual, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT, VIDEO

Documentary Film, Illustration, Informational Text, Literature, Social Media

Pdf, Pptx, Mp4

Sox Sperry & Caren Arnold

Heroes for Water Protection

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing a book and video about water steward Marion Stoddart and composing a social message about being a water steward.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Water (lower elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary

Math, Student Media Production, Visual Arts, Film/Video Arts, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy, Library/Information Literacy, ELA/English Language Arts

Lower Elementary
Individual, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Literature, Social Media, Documentary Film, Illustration, Informational Text, Literature

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry & Caren Arnold

High School Science: The Great Global Warming Swindle

An example of leading a class through a constructivist media decoding using a lesson from our kit, Media Constructions of Global Warming. Students analyze a short video clip from the film The Great Global Warming Swindle, compare the information in the clip with a chart, and reflect on issues of credibility and bias in media representations and our own biases when evaluating information.

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DEMONSTRATION VIDEO

Media Literacy And Critical Thinking Integration
Constructivist Media Decoding
Critical Thinking And The News
Assessing Credibility & Bias

Science And Environment

High School
College

History of Chemicals in the Environment

Media literacy and critical thinking unit using diverse media imagery to teach about how chemicals in the environment have been perceived by people in the U.S. and how the media has constructed that public perception. Focus topics include pesticides, fertilizer, gasoline additives and persistent organic pollutants.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Chemicals in the Environment

Health, Psychology, Visual Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Journalism, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Economics, Sociology

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes

ASSESSMENT, STUDENT READING, TEACHER GUIDE, LESSON PLAN, POWERPOINT

Editorial Cartoon, Illustration, Poster, Webpage

Pdf, Ppt

Sox Sperry

History of Endangered Species

Media literacy and critical thinking unit using diverse media imagery to teach about how endangered species have been perceived by people in the U.S. and how the media has constructed that public perception. Focus topics include indigenous perspectives, whaling, habitat destruction and the Endangered Species Act.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Endangered Species

Visual Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Journalism, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Economics, Sociology

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes

ASSESSMENT, STUDENT READING, TEACHER GUIDE, LESSON PLAN, POWERPOINT

Editorial Cartoon, Illustration, Informational Text, Map, News - Print, Poster, Webpage

Pdf, Ppt

Sox Sperry

History of Resource Depletion

Media literacy and critical thinking unit using diverse media imagery to teach about how resource depletion has been perceived by people in the U.S. and how the media has constructed that public perception. Focus topics include water, forests, oil and consumption.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Resource Depletion

Health, Visual Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes

ASSESSMENT, STUDENT READING, TEACHER GUIDE, LESSON PLAN, POWERPOINT

Illustration, Informational Text, Photograph, Poster, Webpage

Pdf, Ppt

Sox Sperry

How Do We Decide How Much To Eat And Drink?

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing web pages and food diagrams to discern messages about food servings.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Food Choices
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary

Health, Math, Visual Arts, Nutrition, Consumer Education, Environmental Studies, ELA/English Language Arts

Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

POWERPOINT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, TEACHER GUIDE, LESSON PLAN

Illustration, Informational Text, Webpage

Pptx, Pdf

Sox Sperry

How Do We Decide What to Eat and Drink?

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing web pages for messages about how food choices impact personal health.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Food Choices
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary

Health, Visual Arts, Nutrition, Consumer Education, Environmental Studies, ELA/English Language Arts

Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

POWERPOINT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, TEACHER GUIDE, LESSON PLAN

Illustration, Informational Text, Webpage

Pptx, Pdf

Sox Sperry

How Do We Identify Good Sustainability Stories? (Upper Elementary)

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing videos to discern messages about how videos can tell stories to inform and engage the public about sustainability issues and initiatives.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Production
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary

Health, Math, Psychology, Student Media Production, Visual Arts, Film/Video Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Music, Journalism, Nutrition, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Global Studies, Economics, Sociology, English Language Instruction, General Media Literacy, ELA/English Language Arts

Upper Elementary
Individual, Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

STUDENT WORKSHEET, TEACHER GUIDE, LESSON PLAN, VIDEO

Pdf, Mp4

Sox Sperry, Chris Sperry & Kelsey Greene

How Much Water Did it Take to Grow That?

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing web pages and bar graphs to discern messages about the impact of agriculture on freshwater availability.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill Building
Unit: Water (upper elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary

Health, Math, Consumer Education, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Chart/graph, Informational Text, Map, News - Print, Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Human/Animal Relations

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on messages about human and animal relations.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Endangered Species

Psychology, Film/Video Arts, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government

Middle School, High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

VIDEO, STUDENT WORKSHEET, TEACHER GUIDE, LESSON PLAN

Documentary Film, Television Program

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Hunting Gorillas: Contrasting Views

Students analyze a magazine cover and a webpage for messages about bushmeat, gorillas and editorial choices in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Endangered Species." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Commercial Arts/Advertising, Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

POWERPOINT, TEACHER GUIDE

Magazine, Webpage

Pptx, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Huracán María: El Impacto de la Inmigración Puertorriqueña en Florida

This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity for Spanish language classes in which students analyze three short excerpts of online newspaper articles about the economic impacts on Florida resulting from the influx of Puerto Rican climate refugees following Hurricane Maria. The student handouts are in Spanish language only, while the Teacher Guide is provided in both English and Spanish.

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Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Global Studies, Economics, Sociology, Spanish Language Instruction

High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT HANDOUT, ACTIVITY PLAN

News - Print

Pdf

Sox Sperry and Olivia Gellar

Hydrofracking Pros & Cons: Arguing the Case

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode videos for messages about how hydrofracking impacts the biosphere.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Energy Sources
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Health, Film/Video Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Consumer Education, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Economics, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

VIDEO, STUDENT WORKSHEET, STUDENT HANDOUT, ACTIVITY PLAN

Television Commercial, Web Video

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Hydrofracking, Media, and Credibility

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing the credibility of messages about hydrofracking as presented in video clips, diagrams and online searches.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Playlist: News Accuracy and Credibility
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Fingerlakes

Health, Visual Arts, Film/Video Arts, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

High School, College
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT, VIDEO

Documentary Film, Illustration, Informational Text, Television Program, Webpage, Web Video

Pdf, Ppt, Mp4

Sox Sperry

Hydropower Dams: To Build or to Dismantle?

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode videos for messages about claims related to hydropower dam building or removal.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Energy Sources
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Film/Video Arts, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

VIDEO, STUDENT WORKSHEET, STUDENT HANDOUT, ACTIVITY PLAN

Documentary Film, Web Video

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Hydropower: Benefits and Costs

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode webpages for messages about how human use of natural resources for energy affects the biosphere.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Energy Sources
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Commercial Arts/Advertising, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Photograph, Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

I Want to Protect These Animals

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing postcards about different classes of animals, reflecting on cyber safety in online research and creating postcards of animals students would like to protect.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Animals (lower elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary

Student Media Production, Visual Arts, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, ELA/English Language Arts

Lower Elementary
Individual, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Illustration

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry & Caren Arnold

I Want to Protect These Plants

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing postcards about plant needs for water, sunlight and pollinators, reflecting on cyber safety in online research and creating postcards of plants students would like to protect.

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preparing files...

This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Plants (lower elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary

Student Media Production, Visual Arts, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, ELA/English Language Arts

Lower Elementary
Individual, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Illustration

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry & Caren Arnold

I Want to Protect This Body of Water

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing postcards about bodies of water, reflecting on cyber safety in online research and creating postcards of water bodies students would like to protect.

Please be patient. This download may take while depending on your internet connection

preparing files...

This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Water (lower elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary

Student Media Production, Visual Arts, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, ELA/English Language Arts

Lower Elementary
Individual, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Illustration

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry & Caren Arnold

Indigenous Representations of Cultural Pride and Resilience

Students analyze videos produced by Native Americans (Inuit, Haudenosaunee, Hopi and Hawaiian) for messages about the contributions and resilience of Indigenous nations and peoples.

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Student Media Production, Film/Video Arts, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Global Studies, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School, High School, College

30-60 Minutes

VIDEO, TEACHER GUIDE, ACTIVITY PLAN

Documentary Film, Web Video

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

International Climate Agreements: How the Decisions of Government Officials Can Potentially Impact Climate Change

This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two op-eds for conflicting perspectives on the impacts of the Trump adminstration's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate accords..

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Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Economics, Sociology

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT

Editorial Opinion, Informational Text

Pdf

Laurie VanVleet & Sox Sperry

Interrelationships: Human & Buffalo

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode videos for messages about the interdependent relationships between people and buffalo.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Biodiversity
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Film/Video Arts, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

VIDEO, STUDENT WORKSHEET, STUDENT HANDOUT, ACTIVITY PLAN

Documentary Film, Television Program

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Invasive Species: How Do We Stop an Invasion?

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a poster and a webpage for messages about the impact of introducing invasive species into an ecosystem.

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preparing files...

This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Biodiversity
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Visual Arts, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Poster, Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Is There a Future in Oil?

This is a media literacy activity in which students analyze two video clips with the following question in mind: Is there a future in oil? One of the videos features a speaker representing the American Petroleum Institute who highlights the economic benefits of increasing oil and gas production while the other video clip features speakers from the Rockefeller Brothers Funds and 350.org who present the economic and environmental reasons to divest from fossil fuels and support renewable energy sources.

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Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Economics

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, VIDEO

Web Video

Pdf, Mp4

Cindy Kramer & Sox Sperry

Journal of Multicultural Environmental Education

Students analyze a journal cover for messages about coupling education with activism and about the role of small journals in seeding social justice movements. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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US History

High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Literature, Magazine

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Let Us Tell You About the Animals Where We Live

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing various media documents focused on messages about human impacts on animals and creating a simple video production based on impacts to animals where you live and action ideas to protect them.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill Building
Unit: Animals (lower elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary

Student Media Production, Visual Arts, Film/Video Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, ELA/English Language Arts

Lower Elementary
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT, VIDEO

Illustration, Webpage, Web Video

Pdf, Ppt, Mp4

Sox Sperry & Caren Arnold

Feedback From Users

Let Us Tell You About the Bodies of Water Where We Live

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing book covers for messages about water-centered disasters related to oil spills, drought and hurricanes and creating a simple video production based on impacts to your region's water bodies and action ideas to protect them.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Water (lower elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary

Health, Student Media Production, Visual Arts, Film/Video Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, ELA/English Language Arts

Lower Elementary
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT, VIDEO

Web Video

Pdf, Pptx, Mp4

Sox Sperry & Caren Arnold

Let Us Tell You About the Plants Where We Live

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing book covers focused on different messages about human impacts on plants and creating a simple video production based on impacts to plants and action ideas to protect them.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Plants (lower elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Lower Elementary

Student Media Production, Visual Arts, Film/Video Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, ELA/English Language Arts

Lower Elementary
Group - Small (3-5 Members), Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT, VIDEO

Web Video

Pdf, Pptx, Mp4

Sox Sperry & Caren Arnold

Logging - What About Biodiversity?

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing videos & childrens books to discern messages about the impacts of logging on biodiversity.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Playlist: English Language Arts
Unit: Natural Resources
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary

Visual Arts, Film/Video Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

VIDEO, POWERPOINT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, TEACHER GUIDE, LESSON PLAN

Animated Film, Documentary Film, Illustration, Informational Text, Literature, Web Video

Mp4, Pptx, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Making Videos about Sustainability Efforts

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson in which students collaboratively design a short video message about a sustainability effort.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Documenting Sustainability Stories
Unit: Production
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary

Student Media Production, Film/Video Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, VIDEO

Web Video

Pdf, Mp4

Sox Sperry, Chris Sperry & Kelsey Greene

McCormick Reaper Company, c. 1890 Advertisement

Students analyze a 19th century advertisement for messages about empire and about early advertising design. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Print Advertisement

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Meat or Veggies? The Impact of Diet on Climate

In this media literacy activity students analyze a documentary film and a television news report for messages about how plant-based and meat-based diets impact climate change.

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Health, Journalism, Nutrition, Consumer Education, Environmental Studies, Economics, Sociology

High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

VIDEO, ACTIVITY PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE

Documentary Film, Television Program

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using diverse media imagery to teach about the history of the environmental justice movement beginning in the late 20th century.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Environmental Justice
Kit: Media Constructions of Social Justice

Visual Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Journalism, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Economics, Sociology

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

ASSESSMENT, STUDENT READING, TEACHER GUIDE, LESSON PLAN, POWERPOINT

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Monsanto's Role in Environmental Protection

Students analyze two webpages for messages about Monsanto, corporate responsibility and purpose in media messages.This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Chemicals in the Environment." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Commercial Arts/Advertising, Consumer Education, Environmental Studies, Economics

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Mothers of East Los Angeles: Fighting Poisons - From Prisons to Pipelines

Students analyze a poster for messages about the Mothers of East Los Angeles environmental justices movement of the 1980s and about artists' advocacy for social justice. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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US History

High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Poster

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Mr. Rogers: What Do We Do When Our Feelings Are Hurt?

In this media literacy activity students analyze clips from a documentary film and a feature film about Mr. Rogers for messages about storytelling in film and about how to deal with difficult feelings.

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Health, Math, Psychology, Student Media Production, Visual Arts, Film/Video Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Music, Nutrition, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Global Studies, Economics, Sociology, English Language Instruction, General Media Literacy, ELA/English Language Arts

Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, ACTIVITY PLAN, VIDEO

Documentary Film, Feature Film, Television Program

Pdf, Mp4

Sox Sperry

Native American Buffalo Recovery Webpage

Students analyze a webpage for messages about buffalo recovery efforts by Native Americans and about values in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Endangered Species." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Native American Perspectives on Human/Animal Relation: Nine Mile Canyon & Powhatan's Mantle

Students analyze a petroglyph and a deerskin for messages about Native American perspectives on human/animal relationships and about differences in interpretations of media messages.This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Endangered Species." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Illustration

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Native American Seed Stewardship: 3 Views

Students analyze a painting, a book cover and a web page for messages about Native American stewardship of seeds and about values in media messages.This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Chemicals in the Environment." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Illustration, Informational Text, Literature, Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Native Presence on the Land: Colonial Perspectives

Students analyze a 16th century engraving and a 19th century painting for messages about Native American relationships to the natural world and about artistic choices in narrative painting. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Illustration

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Natural Gas: Water & Climate Impacts

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode an advertisement and a web page for messages about how natural gas extraction impacts fresh water resources.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Climate Change & Water
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Health, Visual Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Consumer Education, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Informational Text, Photograph, Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Natural Resources - How Do we Use Them?

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing book and magazine covers to discern messages about how the use of natural resources for energy affects the environment.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Natural Resources
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary

Visual Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Consumer Education, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Upper Elementary
Individual, Pair, Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Illustration, Informational Text, News - Print, Photograph, Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Northern Rockies Gray Wolf

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short informational writing excerpts to reflect on the removal of the gray wolf from the endangered species list.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Endangered Species

Journalism, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT READING, STUDENT WORKSHEET

Editorial Opinion

Pdf

Sox Sperry

Nuclear Reactor Safety

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on nuclear reactor safety in light of the accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Chemicals in the Environment

Health, Film/Video Arts, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Sociology

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT WORKSHEET, VIDEO

Documentary Film, Television Program

Pdf, Mp4

Sox Sperry

Nuclear: Benefits and Costs

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode webpages for messages about how human use of natural resources for energy affects the biosphere.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Energy Sources
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Oil Palm Plantations: Effects on Tropical Rainforests

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a TV commercial and a documentary film excerpt for messages about the benefits and costs of transforming a tropical rainforest into an oil palm plantation to supply the global market.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Biodiversity
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Film/Video Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

VIDEO, STUDENT WORKSHEET, STUDENT HANDOUT, ACTIVITY PLAN

Television Commercial, Documentary Film, Television Commercial

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Oil Pipelines: Indigenous Water Rights & Safe Energy Transport

This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze an article and a web page for conflicting perspectives on the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline near Standing Rock native land.

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Health, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Sociology

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT HANDOUT

News - Print, Webpage

Pdf

Laurie VanVleet & Sox Sperry

Oil Reserves: Two Perspectives

Students analyze a book cover and a DVD jacket for messages about oil reserves and about credibility in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Documentary Film, Illustration, Literature

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Oil Spills: What's the Problem?

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing newspaper headlines, web pages and videos to discern messages about how oil spills impact human and natural populations.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Natural Resources
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary

Health, Film/Video Arts, Journalism, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Upper Elementary
Individual, Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

VIDEO, POWERPOINT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, TEACHER GUIDE, LESSON PLAN

Documentary Film, News - Print, Webpage, Web Video

Mp4, Pptx, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Oil: Benefits and Costs

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a book cover and report cover for messages about how human use of natural resources for energy affects the biosphere.

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preparing files...

This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Energy Sources
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Visual Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Economics, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Onondaga Lake

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing the stewardship interests for Onondaga Lake as regards economic development, cultural preservation and human and ecosystem health.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Playlist: English Language Arts
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Fingerlakes

Health, Journalism, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes, Over 60 Minutes

STUDENT WORKSHEET, STUDENT READING, ASSESSMENT, TEACHER GUIDE, LESSON PLAN, POWERPOINT

Editorial Opinion, Illustration, Informational Text, Map, News - Print, Photograph

Pdf, Ppt

Sox Sperry

Oren Lyons: Seeing For Seven Generations

Students analyze a webpage for messages about environmental awareness and about target audience in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Organic Foods: Whose Perspective?

Students analyze a magazine cover and a web page for messages about organic foods and green marketing.This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Chemicals in the Environment." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Commercial Arts/Advertising, Consumer Education, Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Magazine, Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Our Changing Planet: Climate, SEL, and Media Literacy for Our Youngest Students

Students analyze excerpts from a picture book for messages about the impact of climate change and the actions people can take for the planet - while also reflecting on their emotional responses and the intent of the author/illustrator.

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Student Media Production, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Civics And Government, Sociology, Library/Information Literacy, ELA/English Language Arts

Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary

30-60 Minutes

STUDENT HANDOUT, POWERPOINT, TEACHER GUIDE, ACTIVITY PLAN

Illustration, Informational Text, Literature

Pdf, Pptx

Bridget Crossman

Overfishing "Still Waters" Webpage

Students analyze a web page for messages about overfishing and about website design choices. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Ozette Rocks Petroglyph

Students analyze a petroglyph for messages about human relationship to the natural world and about authorship and purpose in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Illustration

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Palm Oil: To Buy or Not to Buy?

This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze a commercial, a public service announcement and a short animation for conflicting perspectives on the impact of palm oil production

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Film/Video Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, Economics, Sociology

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

VIDEO, TEACHER GUIDE, ACTIVITY PLAN

Television Commercial, Television Commercial, Web Video

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Panamanian Fauna: Who’s Telling the Story and Why?

This media literacy activity was created to integrate the teaching of English language instruction with media literacy for educators in Panama. In this media literacy activity students analyze videos about Panama’s native animals for messages about species conservation and the source and purpose of each video.

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Film/Video Arts, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, English Language Instruction

Middle School, High School
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

VIDEO, TEACHER GUIDE, ACTIVITY PLAN

Television Commercial, Television Program, Web Video

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry, FG

Passenger Pigeon Memorial Webpage

Students analyze a webpage for messages about the last passenger pigeon and about benefit and harm in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Endangered Species." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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preparing files...

Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Physics or Fiction - Will Tango and Cash get electrocuted?

After viewing clips from a feature film and web videos, students will identify messages about electrical currents and shock, analyze sources and credibility, and reflect on strategies for finding accurate information.

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Health, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Library/Information Literacy

Upper Elementary, Middle School

Under 15 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, VIDEO

Feature Film, Web Video

Pdf, Mp4

Sox Sperry

Plan of an American New Cleared Farm, 1791 Engraving

Students analyze an 18th century engraving for messages about clearing wilderness, establishing property boundaries and about target audience. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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preparing files...

Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

POWERPOINT, TEACHER GUIDE

Illustration

Pptx, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Pollution: Industrial Restoration or Destruction

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode an advertisement and a webpage for messages about the impact of the impact of industrial pollution on ecosystem relationships.

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preparing files...

This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Biodiversity
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Visual Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Illustration, Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Poverty: Climate Change & Water Security

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode web pages for messages about the conditions that make people living in poverty extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Playlist: Economics & Social Justice
Unit: Climate Change & Water
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Health, Visual Arts, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Editorial Cartoon, Informational Text, Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Protecting Our Water Resources Assessment

Media literacy and critical thinking assessment analyzing messages in videos and writing a report on the protection of water resources.

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preparing files...

This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Water (upper elementary)
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary

Commercial Arts/Advertising, Environmental Studies, ELA/English Language Arts

Upper Elementary
Individual
30-60 Minutes

VIDEO, ASSESSMENT

Television Commercial

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Protecting Wolves: Differing Opinions

Students analyze two webpages for messages about wolf protection and about point of view in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Endangered Species." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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preparing files...

Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Race, Place & Environmental Justice After Hurricane Katrina

Students analyze a book cover for messages about race and the impacts of Hurricane Katrina and about title and imagery in book cover choices. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “Merging Social Justice with Environmentalism." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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preparing files...

US History

High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Illustration, Literature

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Rachel Carson (Print Documents Lesson)

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short informational writing excerpts to reflect on the media representation of Rachel Carson's legacy.

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preparing files...

This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Chemicals in the Environment

Health, Psychology, Journalism, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT READING, STUDENT WORKSHEET

Editorial Opinion, News - Print

Pdf

Sox Sperry

Rachel Carson (Video Clips Lesson)

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on conflicting views on Rachel Carson's place in history.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Chemicals in the Environment

Health, Film/Video Arts, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Sociology

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

VIDEO, STUDENT WORKSHEET, TEACHER GUIDE, LESSON PLAN

Documentary Film, Television Program, Web Video

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Rachel Carson: Who Controls Nature?

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode videos for messages about the impact of DDT on the ecosystem.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Biodiversity
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Health, Film/Video Arts, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, VIDEO

Documentary Film, Television Program

Pdf, Mp4

Sox Sperry

Rainforest Biodiversity

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson using four short film excerpts to reflect on the impacts to rainforest biodiversity by monoculture plantations.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Kit: Media Constructions of the Environment: Endangered Species

Film/Video Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Consumer Education, Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, Economics, Sociology

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

VIDEO, STUDENT WORKSHEET, TEACHER GUIDE, LESSON PLAN

Feature Film, Television Program

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Raptors in the Media

Students analyze a book cover, a magazine cover, a tweet, a poster, a website and a YouTube screen shot for messages about media forms, osprey, eagles and condors and environmental concerns.

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Life Sciences, Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy, ELA/English Language Arts

Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary

15-30 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Illustration, Informational Text, Magazine, Photograph, Poster, Social Media, Web Video

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Recycling: What’s the Problem?

Students analyze a commercial and clips from documentaries for messages about recycling, its attraction to consumers and industry and its limitations.

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Commercial Arts/Advertising, Consumer Education, Environmental Studies, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School, High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

VIDEO, TEACHER GUIDE, ACTIVITY PLAN

Documentary Film, Television Program, Web Video

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry, Rachel Aronson

Reforestation: Carbon Sequestration

This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two short excerpts from the documentary films "Green Gold" and "The Salt of the Earth" for different representations of reforestation as a means to sequester carbon and restore degraded ecosystems.

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Film/Video Arts, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Global Studies

High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

VIDEO, TEACHER GUIDE, ACTIVITY PLAN

Documentary Film

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Reforestation: Three Perspectives

Students analyze a book cover and two webpages for messages about reforestation and about sponsorship of media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Environmental Studies, Global Studies

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Literature, Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Refrigeration Management: A Global Solution to Reverse Global Warming

This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode three videos for the impact of refrigeration gases on climate change.

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Film/Video Arts, Consumer Education, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Economics

High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

VIDEO, TEACHER GUIDE, ACTIVITY PLAN

Web Video

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Removing Plastic from the Ocean: From Trash to Art

This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two short videos about artistic repurposing of plastic trash for messages about artistic expression of human impacts to the environment.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Playlist: Elementary Critical Thinking Skill Building

Visual Arts, Film/Video Arts, Environmental Studies

Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, VIDEO

Web Video

Pdf, Mp4

Ana Goldsmith & Sox Sperry

Renewable Energy Sources - Who's Running the Numbers?

Media literacy and critical thinking lesson analyzing written text, web pages and bar graphs to discern messages about renewable energy use.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Natural Resources
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Upper Elementary

Math, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, US History And Government, US History, Civics And Government, Global Studies, Economics, Sociology, ELA/English Language Arts

Upper Elementary
Pair, Whole Class
Over 60 Minutes

LESSON PLAN, TEACHER GUIDE, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

Chart/graph, Webpage

Pdf, Ppt

Sox Sperry

Rising Sea Refugees

This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze short excerpts from two documentary films for different representations on the impacts of rising seas on human populations.

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Film/Video Arts, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, Sociology

High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

VIDEO, TEACHER GUIDE, ACTIVITY PLAN

Documentary Film

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Saving Our Soil: Dirt or Culture?

Students analyze a book cover and a webpage for messages about soil and about values and credibility in media messages. This simple decoding activity has been taken from a larger lesson with many slides titled “History of Resource Depletion." To access this lesson, type the title with quotes into the PLS keyword search bar.

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Environmental Studies, General Media Literacy

Middle School, High School, College

Under 15 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, POWERPOINT

Informational Text, Literature, Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

Science or Fiction – Does Carrying an Umbrella in a Thunderstorm Make You More Likely to be Hit by Lightning?

Students analyze a cartoon and a weather channel video for messages about whether carrying an umbrella is potentially hazardous and about credibility in Internet videos.

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Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Library/Information Literacy, ELA/English Language Arts

Upper Elementary

15-30 Minutes

VIDEO, TEACHER GUIDE, ACTIVITY PLAN

Web Video, Animated Film, Web Video

Mp4, Pdf

Sox Sperry

Scientific Consensus: Global Warming Is Real and It's Caused by Us

This is a media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students analyze two web articles from Skeptical Science and NASA for different approaches to reporting on the scientific consensus on human-induced climate change.

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Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, Sociology, General Media Literacy, Library/Information Literacy

High School, College
Whole Class
30-60 Minutes

TEACHER GUIDE, ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT

Webpage

Pdf

Sox Sperry

Sea Level Rise: Climate Change Impacts

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode videos for messages about conflicting data on the contribution of polar melting to sea level rise.

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This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Playlist: Climate Change
Unit: Climate Change & Water
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Film/Video Arts, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, VIDEO

Web Video

Pdf, Mp4

Sox Sperry

Solar: Benefits and Costs

Media literacy and critical thinking activity in which students decode a webpage and a magazine cover for messages about how human use of natural resources for energy affects the biosphere.

Please be patient. This download may take while depending on your internet connection

preparing files...

This lesson is part of a "kit" or collection of media decoding lessons on a particular topic. You can explore that kit using the link below:

Unit: Energy Sources
Kit: Media Constructions of Sustainability: Middle School

Visual Arts, Commercial Arts/Advertising, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies, ELA/English Language Arts

Middle School
Individual, Whole Class
15-30 Minutes

ACTIVITY PLAN, STUDENT HANDOUT, STUDENT WORKSHEET, POWERPOINT

News - Print, Webpage

Pdf, Pptx

Sox Sperry

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