Media Ready is a research-based media literacy program for 6th- to 8th-grade students, designed to delay or prevent the onset of substance use, particularly with respect to underage drinking.
Through ten lessons of interactive activities, hands-on practice, and group work, students discover the media world around them and develop skills to better understand the messages that are being sent to them. It is intended that they then apply these skills in everyday life to be able to stop, think, and question before accepting media messages.
It is desired that students will become more active consumers who will make informed choices.
Goals
- Encourage healthy cognitions about abstinence from alcohol use.
- Enhance students' ability to apply critical thinking skills to interpreting media messages, in general, and alcohol media messages, in particular.
- Delay or prevent the onset of underage alcohol use.
Key Features
- Alcohol and tobacco use prevention integrated into the excitement of interactive media literacy activities
- Aligns with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study as well as the Standard Course of Study in other states
- Teaches critical thinking skills
- Based on state-of-the-art scientific research and theory on media literacy and effective substance abuse prevention approaches
- Easy implementation for teachers
- Kit includes all materials needed to teach the program
- Curriculum adaptable to a variety of classroom settings, teaching styles, and student skill levels
- Curriculum adaptable to variety of learning environments including schools, afterschool programs, or community settings
- Includes engaging homework and extension assignments designed to further students' understanding of media literacy and provide additional opportunities to practice newly learned skills
Program Structure
- Grades 6 - 8
- 10 class sessions
- Approximately 45 minute class sessions
Program Components
- Comprehensive, easy-to-use teacher's manual
- Templates of handouts and student worksheets
- Accompanying media examples and resources
