Digital Voices

210 Activities

Digital Voices

Create, connect, and communicate in the digital world. Learners build media literacy skills through podcasting, photography, coding, and digital storytelling. They learn to navigate and contribute to online spaces thoughtfully and creatively.

Activities

What Is the Best Way to Search for Information Online?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Digital Voices

What Is the Best Way to Search for Information Online?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

50 Minutes

Searching for information online is a common task that people undertake many times each day. Navigating the internet requires skill and practice, and it is an essential tool for the twenty-first century. When used properly, internet search engines can point us to the information that we need. Otherwise, they may confuse us with irrelevant or questionable information. This lesson educates students about this essential element of using the internet.

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Television Ad Review (Grades 3-5)

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Television Ad Review (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

Students examine videos to distinguish between those that want to sell something from those that want to entertain or inform.

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Television Ad Review (Grades 6-8)

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Television Ad Review (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students examine YouTube videos to identify and distinguish different forms of advertising.

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Writing a Blog Entry

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Writing a Blog Entry

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students learn that people share ideas, opinions, and information on blogs. They form teams to review blogs written by students their age and then use their reviews to generate 2 lists: a) features that make blogs good or interesting and b) information that they should not share in blogs. Individual students then write their own personal blog entries on a topic of their choice.

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The Art of Asking Questions

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

The Art of Asking Questions

PBS

3 - 5

45 Minutes

To get the right answer, we need to know how to ask the questions. Students learn how to modify question structure to ensure they get the information they want. From closed to probing questions, students are mastering a key tool in the interviewer's toolkit, the question.

This is lesson 11 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.

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A News Show Structure: Block A and Teasers

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

A News Show Structure: Block A and Teasers

PBS

3 - 5

30 Minutes

Unveil the art of teaser writing in our thrilling lesson! Students will learn how to grab attention with captivating teasers that leave you craving more. It's all about the perfect pitch, from spine-tingling headlines to suspenseful sneak peeks!

This activity can be completed as a standalone lesson. It is, however, best completed as part of SRL’s The News Show Structure. This series is also the second section of SRL’s First Module From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Hour. The module is broken into three sections. The first two contain lessons that can be completed as standalone activities or as part of a series. All three sections converge to provide a powerful and fun introduction to producing and hosting news shows. The module is followed by a second that deepens student knowledge and skills.

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Meet a Journalist: Preparing for and Hosting a Guest Speaker, Grades 7-12

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Meet a Journalist: Preparing for and Hosting a Guest Speaker, Grades 7-12

Pulitzer Center

6 - 12

2 Hours

In this activity, students prepare for and then host a guest speaker through the Pulitzer Center’s free virtual journalist visit program. The Pulitzer Center works with thousands of journalists, making the visit customizable: students can learn about career pathways, journalism skills, interrupting bias and misinformation, and/or content areas that the journalist covers.

In the first 60-minute activity period, students consider how to prepare for a guest speaker so that the students feel comfortable and the guest feels welcome. In the second activity period, students welcome their guest speaker and ask their prepared questions.

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Run-of-Show A

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Run-of-Show A

PBS

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Get ready for two days of scripting! Students learn how to use and complete a run-of-show chart.

This is lesson 29 of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs' second module, Building a News Hour.

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What Is Newsworthy? (Student Reporting Labs)

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

What Is Newsworthy? (Student Reporting Labs)

PBS

6 - 12

50 Minutes

Journalists often pitch story ideas inspired by events occurring in their communities or by issues they care about, but they also turn to the Internet and social media to find out what topics are engaging a large audience.

This lesson will challenge students to think about the term “newsworthy” and what makes a story worthy of being reported.

This is activity 2 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

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What’s Your Agenda? Editorial Judgment and Underreported Stories

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

What’s Your Agenda? Editorial Judgment and Underreported Stories

Pulitzer Center

6 - 12

45 Minutes

Students will explore what editorial judgment is, and why some stories receive a lot of attention in the news while others go underreported. This activity places students in the position of editors who get to decide what stories are featured, and offers opportunities for the group to reflect on the implications of these decisions.

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What Is Bias?

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

What Is Bias?

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

1 Hour

In this activity, students learn about bias and use mind mapping strategies to unpack their biases. Through a series of small group and whole group discussions, students consider why we have bias and how biases can affect our attitudes and behaviors in response to people, places, events, or ideas. Finally, students challenge bias and stereotypes by exploring multiple news stories that help them see a fuller picture of a place.

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What’s the Big Deal About Fake News?

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

What’s the Big Deal About Fake News?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

55 Minutes

In recent years, news that is invented and untrue, often called fake news, has been spreading widely across the internet and social-media platforms. This news is a threat to democracy when it confuses or tricks a voter into believing false information about a candidate. In this activity, students explore the legitimacy of news stories and learn to recognize and confirm that a story has been invented or deeply exaggerated, especially in an attempt to manipulate the reader or viewer.

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What Is the Best Way to Search for Information Online?

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Digital Voices

What Is the Best Way to Search for Information Online?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

50 Minutes

Discover Activity

Television Ad Review (Grades 3-5)

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Television Ad Review (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

Students examine videos to distinguish between those that want to sell something from those that want to entertain or inform.

Discover Activity

Television Ad Review (Grades 6-8)

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Television Ad Review (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students examine YouTube videos to identify and distinguish different forms of advertising.

Discover Activity

Writing a Blog Entry

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Writing a Blog Entry

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

The Art of Asking Questions

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

The Art of Asking Questions

PBS

3 - 5

45 Minutes

This is lesson 11 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.

Discover Activity

A News Show Structure: Block A and Teasers

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

A News Show Structure: Block A and Teasers

PBS

3 - 5

30 Minutes

Discover Activity

Meet a Journalist: Preparing for and Hosting a Guest Speaker, Grades 7-12

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Meet a Journalist: Preparing for and Hosting a Guest Speaker, Grades 7-12

Pulitzer Center

6 - 12

2 Hours

Discover Activity

Run-of-Show A

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Run-of-Show A

PBS

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Get ready for two days of scripting! Students learn how to use and complete a run-of-show chart.

This is lesson 29 of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs' second module, Building a News Hour.

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What Is Newsworthy? (Student Reporting Labs)

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

What Is Newsworthy? (Student Reporting Labs)

PBS

6 - 12

50 Minutes

This lesson will challenge students to think about the term “newsworthy” and what makes a story worthy of being reported.

This is activity 2 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

Discover Activity

What’s Your Agenda? Editorial Judgment and Underreported Stories

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

What’s Your Agenda? Editorial Judgment and Underreported Stories

Pulitzer Center

6 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

What Is Bias?

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

What Is Bias?

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

1 Hour

Discover Activity

What’s the Big Deal About Fake News?

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

What’s the Big Deal About Fake News?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

55 Minutes

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Collections

Making Comics

Digital Voices, Arts in Action

7 Activities

Making Comics

OregonASK

3 - 12

7 Hours

Enter the creative world of storytelling through comics!

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Exploring 'The 1619 Project'

Digital Voices, We The People

5 Activities

Exploring 'The 1619 Project'

Pulitzer Center

6 - 12

3 Hours 45 Minutes

This module is designed to introduce students to The 1619 Project, an initiative of The New York Times Magazine that examines the legacy of slavery in contemporary U.S. systems and society, and celebrates Black Americans' contributions to democracy.

Students will explore images, multimedia, and short text excerpts associated with the project. They will strengthen their knowledge and critical thinking skills through engaging discussion and hands-on activities such as a fact-sorting challenge, a gallery walk, and the collaborative construction of a timeline of racial (in)justice.

For more activities that explore the injustices of slavery and uplift the resistance and innovation of Black Americans, visit The 1619 Project playlist from the Pulitzer Center, also available on Mizzen.

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Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 6-8

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

8 Activities

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 6-8

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

6 Hours

The playlist has been curated to support reading and literacy enrichment through fun and innovative learning experiences. This playlist supports grades 6-8 and can be implemented in a various out-of-school settings.

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Design for Life for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Digital Voices, Arts in Action

8 Activities

Design for Life for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

6 Hours

This Playlist allows younger students to become ad, logo, and campaign designers at home.

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Building a NewsHour: Part 6

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

8 Activities

Building a NewsHour: Part 6

PBS

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 6

This Module from SRL takes youth through the all elements of building their own news hour. A follow-up to the From Concept to Screen Module, this six part Collection takes youth through the all the steps in creating a news hour to tell their stories.

This is Module 6 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

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Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 9-12

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

7 Activities

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 9-12

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

5 Hours 15 Minutes

The playlist has been curated to support reading and literacy enrichment through fun and innovative learning experiences. This playlist supports grades 9-12 and can be implemented in a various out-of-school settings.

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The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 2-6

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

7 Activities

The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 2-6

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

9 Hours

This module supports students in developing a healthy relationship to the news rooted in curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, and empowerment.

Students will learn what the news is and reflect on how they can use it in their lives. They will examine the idea of bias and learn how to challenge it, using some of the same skills journalists use. They will consider why some stories get more attention than others, and explore the importance of seeking out underreported stories in order to see a fuller picture of people, places, and issues. Finally, students will move from analyzing news stories to sharing their learning. In their final projects, students will use creative expression and journalistic information to draw attention to the issues that matter to them.

Throughout this module, facilitators have access to the option of requesting a free virtual visit with a Pulitzer Center journalist who can support students in digging deeper into any of these topics, getting their questions answered, and exploring careers in the journalism field.

Are you looking for media literacy activities for upper middle and high school learners? Check out The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 7-12, also on Mizzen.

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From Concept to Screen: Building Your Own News Show

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

21 Activities

From Concept to Screen: Building Your Own News Show

PBS

3 - 5

10 Hours 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Hour.

The module is broken into three sections. The first, "Beyond the Headline" and "A News Show Structure" contain lessons that can be completed as standalone activities or as part of a series. All three sections converge to provide a powerful and fun introduction to producing and hosting news shows.

Discover Collection

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 3-5

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

8 Activities

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 3-5

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

6 Hours

The playlist has been curated to support reading and literacy enrichment through fun and innovative learning experiences. This playlist supports grades 3-5 and can be implemented in a various out-of-school settings.

Discover Collection

Making Comics

Digital Voices, Arts in Action

7 Activities

Making Comics

OregonASK

3 - 12

7 Hours

Enter the creative world of storytelling through comics!

Discover Collection

Exploring 'The 1619 Project'

Digital Voices, We The People

5 Activities

Exploring 'The 1619 Project'

Pulitzer Center

6 - 12

3 Hours 45 Minutes

Discover Collection

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 6-8

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

8 Activities

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 6-8

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

6 Hours

Discover Collection

Design for Life for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Digital Voices, Arts in Action

8 Activities

Design for Life for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

6 Hours

This Playlist allows younger students to become ad, logo, and campaign designers at home.

Discover Collection

Building a NewsHour: Part 6

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

8 Activities

Building a NewsHour: Part 6

PBS

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 6

This is Module 6 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

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Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 9-12

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

7 Activities

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 9-12

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

5 Hours 15 Minutes

Discover Collection

The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 2-6

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

7 Activities

The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 2-6

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

9 Hours

This module supports students in developing a healthy relationship to the news rooted in curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, and empowerment.

Are you looking for media literacy activities for upper middle and high school learners? Check out The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 7-12, also on Mizzen.

Discover Collection

From Concept to Screen: Building Your Own News Show

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

21 Activities

From Concept to Screen: Building Your Own News Show

PBS

3 - 5

10 Hours 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Hour.

Discover Collection

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 3-5

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives