Introducing TV Families

Level: Grades 2 to 5

Overview

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This lesson encourages children to explore the differences between their real families and TV families by imagining how their own families might be portrayed on a television show. The lesson begins with a class discussion about different types of families. Students then assume the role of producers, and create a television show for their own families to star in. To emphasize the constructed nature of television programs, students are encouraged to create a fantasy setting and story for the show.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

understand that the representations made by the media are not always accurate
enjoy investigating family shows on TV
recognise that the media construct reality

Materials and Preparation

Invite students to bring family pictures to class.
Photocopy Producer's Notes.

Procedure

Guided discussion

To help students recognize and accept the diversity of family experiences, discuss:

What is a family?
What kinds of families are there?
What do families do?
Where do families live?
How do people in families communicate?
How do people in families look?

Compile a list of what they know about families. From the discussion the class should create a broad definition for a "real family".

Note: This discussion is not intended to compare family structures which could make some students uncomfortable.

Activity

Have students take out their family pictures. They are now going to become TV producers and create a show starring their family. Ask students to paint or draw a picture of their family as they would appear on TV. Tell students that they must think about the set or background that they would put their family into on the television show (i.e. Where will your family live? In a mansion? In a house or apartment like the one that you live in? In a jungle? In outer space?)

Have students write Producer's Notes on their new show.

Share the pictures and Producer's Notes. Discuss with the students the differences between their real families, and the television version of their families.

Evaluation

Family Pictures
Producer's Notes