Session+5+Monday,+February+28,+2011+at+5+p.


 * Theme: The Benefits and Challenges of Bringing Popular Culture into the Classroom**
 * Media Text:** Various popular culture texts

**Learning Objectives:** (1) Appreciate how simple or problematic media texts can be analyzed carefully for complex meanings to strengthen critical thinking skills. (2) Gain confidence selecting media texts for instructional use according to the following criteria: (a) students’ needs and abilities; (b) your ability to predict a range of responses through rich, provocative, multiple-POV discussions; (c) text’s ability to challenge students and expand critical thinking abilities; (d) adherence to target lesson outcome for text. (3) Write a script using the 5 Critical Questions and create a simple screencast. (4) Brainstorm concepts, products, and media texts for use in a long-term project.

**5:00** – Ice-breaker. What is popular culture? How do kids use popular culture in your classrooms?

**5:15** – Comprehension/abstraction. Analyze a pop song for basic comprehension and abstract analysis.

**5:45** – Discussion of the reading. How did teachers cater popular culture and mass media to their **existing curriculum**? Why might popular culture be an asset to existing curriculum? Why might it be a challenge or detriment?

**6:15** – BREAK

**6:30** – Media text selection · John, Emily, and Dave model choosing between three texts according to the four criteria listed in the objectives. · Participants repeat the exercise in pairs according to one of four categories: CIVIL RIGHTS, NUTRITION, COMMUNITY, and HEROES and VILLAINS. · Pairs write a short, one-minute script based on one of the five critical questions. · Large group sharing of selection and rationale.

**7:00** – Screencast · Demo screencast. · Each pair performs their script while recording a screencast.

**7:30** – Workshop Time, brainstorming initial ideas and setting follow-up meetings with John, Emily, and Dave.

TY/AISHA/JASMINA: John BILL/JOHN-C/CASEY: Dave NORA/TAYLOR/AMY: Emily

Next Session’s Reading: 7 GREAT DEBATES

Community Civil Rights Nutrition Heroes and Villains 1 Heroes and Villains 2 Heroes and Villains 3
 * Media Texts for Activity:**

Media Production: Screen Casts