Facing the Filters

Lesson Title

Introduction to Media Literacy

Unit Theme

Media, Identity, and Health (Lesson 1 of 15)

Year Level

Year 12

Lesson Duration

60 minutes

NCEA Alignment

Curriculum Area: Health and Physical Education
Achievement Standards Alignment:

• Health 2.1 (AS91235) – Analyse an adolescent health issue
• Supports competencies for Health 2.4 (AS91239) – Analyse issues related to sexuality and gender and their effects on wellbeing

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Learning Intentions

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Understand what media literacy is and why it's important in the context of health and identity
• Identify different types of media that influence health perceptions
• Begin analysing how media representations impact young people's beliefs about identity, body image, and lifestyle
• Build confidence in discussion and collaborative thinking

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Key Competencies Addressed

• Thinking: Questioning media sources and evaluating health-related messages
• Managing Self: Setting goals for the unit and reflecting on personal media habits
• Relating to Others: Group collaboration and shared perspectives
• Using Language, Symbols and Texts: Analysing media messages and visual literacy
• Participating and Contributing: Sharing ideas and engaging with classroom discussions

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Prior Learning

Students may have encountered media-related content in English, Social Studies or junior Health, but this is their first focused lesson on media and health in this unit.

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Resources Needed

• Printed prompt cards with media examples (e.g. ad snippets, influencer posts, headlines)
• A3 paper and markers for group brainstorms
• Projector/slideshow with introductory media clips (pre-prepared by teacher)
• Sticky notes
• Printed exit tickets
• Whiteboard/whiteboard pens

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Teacher Notes

This West Auckland decile 3 class includes a wide diversity in ability. Activities are designed to support oral interaction, peer scaffolding, inclusive thinking, and building confidence in media discussion. Keep instructions clear, chunked, and include regular checks for understanding.

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Lesson Sequence

1. Whakawhanaungatanga & Settling In (5 min)

Purpose: Build connection and readiness

• Greet students warmly in te reo Māori
• Display and review class values: especially linking to respect and caring for others’ opinions
• Prompt: "Ko wai koe on social media? Who are you online?"
  • Quick think-pair-share with someone next to them
  • Emphasise that there are no wrong answers—this is about exploring and learning

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2. Hook: Media in Our Lives (5 min)

Purpose: Make media personal and relevant

• Show a 1-minute silent montage of curated media (ads, TikTok clips, influencer shots, health campaigns)
• Ask students to stand if the media type in the clip is something they see daily (e.g. Instagram/TikTok/TV ads)
• Pose focus question:

  “What makes something reliable or truthful in media about health?”

• Quick popcorn-style responses; record student thoughts on the board

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3. Group Task: Decoding Media Messages (20 min)

Purpose: Build media analysis skills and introduce key concepts

• Divide class into groups of 4–5 (intentional grouping to ensure mix of literacy levels and strengths)
• Each group receives:
  • A printed media example (e.g. a beauty product ad, a "fitspo" influencer post, a public health campaign)
  • A question guide:
    1. What messages are being given about health or identity?
    2. Who is the target audience?
    3. What’s realistic or unrealistic?
    4. How could this affect someone’s wellbeing?

Teacher roves: providing scaffolding and prompting deeper analysis, using literacy supports as needed (e.g. clarifying vocabulary, encouraging oracy)

Groups record answers and prepare a quick 60-second kōrero to share
Encourage drawing or diagramming key points for visual learners

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4. Group Presentations & Feedback (12 min)

Purpose: Share thinking and reinforce diverse perspectives

• Each group briefly presents their media and findings
• After each group, facilitate class discussion:
  • “Do you agree/disagree?”
  • “Have you seen similar media yourself?”
• Validate diverse voices and experiences
• Reinforce that media experiences differ across people and communities

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5. Vocabulary Slideshow + Sticky Note Connect (10 min)

Purpose: Introduce key media literacy vocab and link it to new learning

• Teacher-led mini slideshow: define key terms (media literacy, representation, bias, target audience, stereotype, wellbeing)
• As each word appears:
  • Students write one connection or example from earlier task on a sticky note
  • Place note on vocabulary board/wall
• This becomes an evolving “Wall of Words” for the rest of the unit

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6. Exit Ticket Reflection (5 min)

Purpose: Student metacognition and informal assessment
Students respond on printed slips:

1. One thing I learned today about media and health is…
2. One question I still have is…
3. One piece of media I might look at differently from now on is…

Teacher collects to gauge understanding and adjust next lesson accordingly

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Differentiation Strategies

• Pairing higher and lower literacy students in mixed-ability groups
• Use of visual resources (media samples, drawing prompts)
• Oral sharing preferred over writing for key tasks
• Teacher circulates to provide scaffolding, sentence starters, and clarification for diverse learners

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Teacher Reflection Prompts (Post-Lesson)

• Which students actively engaged and who may need more support next time?
• Did the media hooks resonate with students’ real life?
• Were group dynamics supportive? Any adjustments needed for next time?
• How well did students grasp vocabulary? Should time be extended next lesson to reinforce?

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Looking Ahead

Next Lesson (Lesson 2): How media affects body image and mental health. We will use advertisement deconstruction and reflective journaling to examine how media ideals could impact hauora.

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Final Thoughts

This lesson introduces media literacy not just as an academic concept, but as a real-life skillset for well-being, critical thinking, and identity formation. It supports kaiako in fostering dialogue and mana-enhancing exploration of health in a media-saturated world—grounded in the values of caring, learning, and respect.