This blog post is written by NCTE member Frank W. Baker.
A recent Education Week headline read: “Educators Reluctant to Teach Election 2024.” Are you one of those?
I have some ideas for you to consider if you plan to teach about the upcoming election.
First, I recently posted “How to Watch a Presidential Debate” on my media literacy website. On that page, you can download a “Political Ad Analysis Worksheet” and a “Debate Watchers Worksheet.” You can find it all here.
Next, several years ago I was asked to provide Horry County (SC) social studies educators with some training during the week before school starts.
I decided to share an activity related to candidate commercials since it was election season and the airwaves were full of those ads.
In one hat, I had the names of candidates running for office. In another hat, I had pieces of paper listing one of a number of relevant current issues. The assignment I gave these educators (working in groups) was to create a 30-second commercial (in writing) for their candidate and their chosen issue.
Teachers were given time to research the issues. I recommended they not only go to the candidates’ websites, but also search the web for any time a candidate referenced the issue.
How to write a 30-second commercial?
As part of this activity, I distributed an 8.5″ x 11″ script template with two columns: one labeled audio and the other labeled video. I also shared some examples of what a commercial on paper looks like.
After sufficient time, teachers (or students) working in groups shared their commercial.
I asked a representative from each group to read their ad, and using a stopwatch I timed it to see if it was actually 30 seconds. (That was the challenge.)
If given more time, students could actually produce and create their commercial, using user-friendly editing tools available today.
For more information and resources, head over to my website to view “The Role of Media In Politics/Elections: Helping Students Understand Media’s Influence.”
Author note:
I’ve also created this Political Ad Analysis Worksheet.
There is so much that goes into a 30-second commercial that students may not recognize or appreciate.
This downloadable worksheet is designed to help them pay closer attention to the techniques of production as well as the techniques of persuasion.
Frank W. Baker has been a leading expert on teaching media literacy for more than two decades. He maintains the internationally recognized Media Literacy Clearinghouse, a resource website for educators.
In September 2022, Baker published the graphic novel We Survived the Holocaust: The Bluma and Felix Goldberg Holocaust Story, illustrated by Tim E. Ogline. (Look inside here). (Teacher’s guide)
Baker’s book for educators, Close Reading The Media (published by Routledge & MiddleWeb), has been described by a reviewer as a practical instructional guide offering teachers “the tools and ideas they need to help today’s students successfully navigate their media-filled world.” Follow him on Facebook and on X @fbaker.
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