Kim's+Poster+and+Photo+Lesson+Plan

Finding the Secret Message

Analyze propaganda posters to discover a hidden message. Explain persuasive message in propaganda posters. Use photographs to build background knowledge.
 * Objectives:** The students will be able to


 * Student Activity:**
 * 1) Students will peruse several magazines and cut out several advertisement photographs. They will use a Venn diagram to answer the following question: //Without the use of written language, what is the difference between Hollywood beauty and reality? In other words, what does Hollywood want us to think when we think of beauty?//
 * 2) Review persuasive techniques from prior unit.
 * 3) Do the pictures from the magazines suggest an acceptable “look” for men and women? Certain products that people SHOULD use? Ways of living that most should follow?
 * 4) Making connections with previous learned persuasive media techniques, do you find those strategies used in the photos? Fill in the L section of KWL answering these questions.
 * 5) Ask students to view the following propaganda poster: “I Want You” (Uncle Sam with pointing finger, asking Americans to join the military.
 * 6) NARA worksheet to analyze a poster: []
 * 7) What persuasive techniques were used in the poster?
 * 8) Class discussion of NARA worksheet and KWL.
 * 9) Student project: Create a photo or poster that suggests the opposite of what today’s “popular” magazines promote.


 * Assessment:** Creative, persuasive photo or poster with embedded persuasive message.


 * What method will students use to analyze the photos and posters? (SEA or NARA worksheet) **Students will use NARA poster analysis worksheet.**
 * Will your students use a graphic organizer like a KWL chart or Venn diagram? **Students will use a KWL chart,**
 * What final product will your students create, if any? **Students will create a persuasive photo or poster.**
 * How will your activity promote critical thinking skills? **Students will analyze subtle, picture messages in order to determine a particular persuasive message. Students will also need to compare and contrast, as well as evaluate “Hollywood” expectations with “reality” expectations.**
 * How will this tie in with my curriculum? **Students study a unit of persuasive writing, as well as media literacy. This particular assignment will reinforce nicely. Also, any time students have to use critical thinking skills, they are honing skills necessary for the school year as well as life.**