Early Childhood NewsK-12 News

Resources for Media Literacy Week

It’s the 7th Annual U.S. Media Literacy Week, and to celebrate we’ve got FREE instructional resources that educators at home and in schools can use to help students be media savvy critical thinkers! Here are just a few of PBS LearningMedia’s multimedia resources for grades Pre-K-12 (most include teacher support materials!) and PD for teachers:

What is Personal Information?
Recommended for grades PreK-K

Personal information identifies who we are, where we live, and how family, friends and others can find us to talk to us or come over and visit us. Personal information can help us communicate with others, but we have to be careful with that information when on the computer.

Ruff Ruffman: Searching and You! | Ruff Ruffman: Humble Media Genius 
Recommended for grades K-5

Learn to use internet search engines like a detective, in this animated video from RUFF RUFFMAN: HUMBLE MEDIA GENIUS. The much-loved character Ruff Ruffman is back, this time with a guide to exploring the web using internet search engines. Sharing tactics that include verifying the authenticity of websites, and refining a search, Ruffman guides students in the responsible use of a twenty-first century skill. This resource is part of the Ruff Ruffman Humble Media Genius Collection.

News Literacy | Social Studies Shorts      
Recommended for grades 3-8

Due to the internet and the 24-hour news cycle, we constantly swim in a sea of information that is not always reliable! Solid media literacy skills can be your life vest. This episode of Social Studies Shorts dives in to explore questions to ask when consuming content and techniques to use to spot misinformation and disinformation.  From the collection Social Studies Shorts, which is a new series from KET that explores social studies and civics topics, from here in Kentucky to the nation and the world. Episodes are accompanied by discussion prompts, activity ideas, vocabulary and a short printable quiz.

Social Studies Shorts is designed to give further context to common topics found in News Quiz – a weekly current events show just for students – like the branches of government, global organizations, notable figures and more.

Identifying High-Quality Sites Lesson Plan | Common Sense Education
Recommended for grades 6-8

Learn how to “test before you trust” the sites and information found on the web in this lesson plan and student handout from Common Sense Education. Assessing what you find on the web is an essential skill for today’s students. Use this resource to help students understand and assess the sites they visit on the web.

A “Family Tip Sheet” for web research and evaluation is available in English and Spanish in the Support Materials. This resource is part of the News and Media Literacy Collection

Is It Real? Using Reverse Image Search | Common Sense Media 
Recommended for grades 6-12  

How do you know if an online image is real or not? This video from Common Sense Education provides useful guidance on using reverse image search on Google. This resource is part of the News and Media Literacy Collection.

Top 4 Tips to Spot Bad Science Reporting | Above the Noise 
Recommended for grades 6-12

In an era of sensationalized news and “alternative facts” it can be hard to figure out what to believe or not. And this is especially true when it comes to science and health news. Crazy claims and sketchy science reporting dilutes the public’s understanding of science, which can have some big consequences, especially when it comes to our health and environment. How can we make solid decisions–like how to vote, what to buy or what can make us sick, if our science news is hyped? Host Myles Bess helps you get above the noise by sharing tips on how to spot bad science reporting. This resource is part of the News and Media Literacy Collection

Sensitive: This resource contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Teachers should exercise discretion in evaluating whether this resource is suitable for their class.

Deep Fakes: Can You Spot a Phony Video? | Above the Noise
Recommended for grades 6-12

. . . Deepfakes are becoming easier to make and spread, and Above the Noise is here to help people understand this new phenomenon and what to do about it. 

Have your students watch the video and respond to the question in KQED Learn.

Safety and Privacy in Participatory Culture | KQED Teach
Teacher training

These days, most youths have no recollection of life without the internet. But, how many of us truly understand our rights to the content we create and share online? Learn about the concepts of safety and privacy in a participatory culture, and how to manage privacy settings and terms of service on social media.

Safety and Privacy in a Participatory Culture is a self-paced course on KQED Teach—KQED’s online professional learning platform for educators. Sign up at KQED Teach to take this course and learn more about privacy settings and safety.


For even more resources, visit our curated folder. Have questions or need assistance? Contact your KET Education Consultant! We love helping educators and students!