"The most important thing that I learned was that the ad companies (that sell tobacco and alcohol) use ad hooks to get people to buy their product, even if the target audience wasn't adults."
--Media Detective Student
Media Detective is an evidence-based media literacy program for 3rd- to 5th-grade students, designed to delay or prevent the onset of alcohol and tobacco use.
Key Features
For Teachers and Administrators
- Evidence-based program using established models of decision-making and
research on how children interpret media messages
- Easy implementation for teachers/facilitators with inclusive materials and teacher training package
- All-inclusive kit includes presentation materials, scripted lesson plans, and student detective notebooks
- Comprehensive training for teachers including introduction to the background research and theoretical model
- "Hands on" and group activities to experience parts of the program
- Curriculum adaptable to a variety of classroom settings, teaching styles, and student skill levels
- Includes fun homework assignments designed to further students’ understanding of media literacy and provide additional opportunities to practice newly learned concepts
- Includes extension activities for teachers who want to provide their students additional instruction in media literacy
- Aligns with and easily integrates into health or language arts curriculum objectives
For Students
- Entertaining, interactive activity-based program where students unravel the meanings behind advertisements and media messages
- Mascots "Snoop" and "Scoop" help teach the important concepts and lead students through fun adventures in learning
- Students each get a Detective Notebook for class assignments
- Students create their own media messages to share with one another
Program Structure
- Grades 3-5
- 10 class sessions
- Approximately 45-minute class sessions
Program Components
- Comprehensive, easy-to-use Teacher's Manual
- Student Detective Notebooks
- Media examples and resources embedded in lessons