Lesson #14:

Essential Question(s) of this lesson that point to the big idea:

What constitutes an effective example of a media project constructed for social justice
purposes?

By the end of this lesson students will

K:

Constructive criticism constitutes the use of relevant textual evidence to support suggestions about the
strengths and weaknesses of a product in the hopes of helping the author make improvements.

Words, imagery, and sound are all employed by media to elicit a specific emotional response or reaction
from viewers, and influence their thought processes

Construct an original media message for a social justice purpose and present it in a video.

Evaluate the strengths and weakness of their own work and that of their peers.

Decode media texts to uncover biases through identification of codes and conventions.

D:

Plan for Learning Activity(ies) or Tasks, & Check for Understanding/Assessment:

Intro (5 minutes):
Total Time: (3) 50-minute periods
Introduction: (5 minutes)
Before beginning the film screening, inform students that they should be taking quick notes while watching all the
videos to prepare to give a critique to their peers in a discussion format to provide each other with constructive
criticism--including pointing out any biases that may exist in their videos.
Film Screening, Discussions, & Peer-Evaluation (45-75 minutes):
Screen each groups film. Have the group members give a brief explanation of the message and social issue they
chose to explore. The rest of the class will partner up to discuss their notes on the strengths and weaknesses of the
videos and then we will share our thoughts as a class. At the end of each discussion each student will individually

give the group a mark using the rubric.

Reflection (70 minutes):
At the end of the third period, students will complete a self-evaluation reflection where they will assess their
contributions to their groups production, as well as the work of their group members. What might they do
differently if they could start over? What did they do really well? Was the distribution of work even and fair?

Materials Needed:

Smartboard and computer

Copies of rubric

Copies of reflection guidelines

Appendices:
Reflection Guidelines:
Looking back on your experience throughout this project, consider what you have learned and what you have
produced. In 1-2 pages, discuss the following questions: What have you learned about producing media for the
purposes of conveying a message about social justice issues? What was most surprising about the production
process? What was the most difficult part of the production process?

Next, consider yourself as a member of your production team. In 1-2 pages, discuss the following questions: What
was your contribution to the project? Was the distribution of work even and fair? What was your major strength as a
member of the team? What was a major weakness? If you were to redo this project from the start, what might you
do differently?

Video Project Summative Rubric:

Criteria
Production
Value

1
Student has created
their video product
using Final Cut Pro
Video is less than 3
minutes long or more
than 5 minutes long.

2
Video has been
created, edited,and
exported using Final
Cut Pro.
Quality of video is low
resolution and is
appropriately sized to
be viewed on cell
phones and tablets.
Video is between 3
and 5 minutes in
length.

Sequence of the
video is logical and
demonstrates a
familiarity with the
editing functions of
Final Cut Pro.

Editing is deliberate and

meaningful. The
sequence of the video is
logical and demonstrates
an understanding of
Final Cut Pro.

Editing is seamless and

meaningful. The
sequence of the video
demonstrates a mastery
of Final Cut Pro.

Quality of the video

is appropriately
sized to be viewed
on cell phones,
tablets, and
computer screens.

Quality of the video is

high resolution and
appropriately sized to be
viewed on cell phones,
tablets, computer
screens, and through a
projector.
Creative approach to the
video production results
in a visually appealing
product.

Codes and
Conventions
of medium

Sound and silence

are arbitrarily used or
ignored

Sound and silence are

used or ignored with
hazy intentions

Sound and silence

are used or ignored
with inconsistent
intentions

Framing, lighting,
camera angles and
movements are
unimaginative, dull,
and show a lack of
effort

Framing, lighting,
camera angles and
movements show
signs of indifference

Written word is used

multiple times out of
laziness

Written word is used

as a crutch at times
where it could have
been creatively
avoided

Setting, location,
props, and clothing
reflect a rushed and
indifferent production

Setting, location,
props, and clothing
show signs of
unpreparedness

8
Sound and silence are
deliberately used or
ignored

Framing, lighting,
camera angles and
movements show
signs of ignorance

Framing, lighting,
camera angles and
movements show intent
and an understanding of
the medium

Written word is
creatively used,
though it could have
been avoided even
more creatively

Written word is used only

when absolutely
necessary i.e. when
listing contact
information

Setting, location,
props, and clothing
show inconsistent
signs of
preparedness

Setting, location, props,

and clothing are carefully
chosen

Quality of the video is

high resolution,
appropriately sized, and
could be used in a
professional production.
Creativity and technical
knowledge of video
production results in a
sophisticated and
visually appealing
product.

10
Sound and silence are
deliberately and
creatively used or
ignored
Framing, lighting, camera
angles and movements
show signs of inspired
work bordering on
innovation
Written word is used only
when absolutely
necessary and done so
in a subtle way i.e. when
listing contact information
Setting, location, props,
and clothing show signs
of preparedness and
resiliency

Strength of
argument

Message is very
confusing or almost
non-existent; viewers
cannot understand
the big idea of the
media campaign.

There is an important
message or argument,
but it is sometimes
hard to understand.

Little or no research
is used to support the
arguments being
made.

Some research is used

to support the
message, but it is only
from one type of
source, and not always
relevant.

There is no call-toaction; viewers are

not pushed to think,
feel, or do anything.

Viewers are
occasionally
encouraged to act
and/or take a side.

12

Message is clear
and important.

Message is very clear

and powerful.

Multiple sources of
research are used;
all are relevant; only
one type of source
is used.

Multiple sources of
research are used to
support the message; all
are relevant; more than
one type of source is
used (i.e. newspapers,
journal articles, videos,
etc.)

Viewers are
consistently urged
to take a side.

Viewers are consistently

encouraged to take a
side, and might be asked
to consider an alternate
viewpoint as well..

15
Message is very clear,
powerful, and thoughtprovoking; viewers
immediately recognize
the big idea, why it is
important, and why they
should care.
Message is supported by
a large amount of
research; all sources are
relevant; at least 3
different types of sources
(i.e. newspapers, journal
articles, videos, etc.) are
used.

Viewers are consistently

encouraged to take a
side, but also asked to
consider all viewpoints
before making a final
decision.

Voice and
Targeted
Audience

Target audience is
difficult to identify and
insufficient attempts
are made to suit their
expectations.

Target audience is
identified and attempts
are made to shape the
video to suit their
expectations.

Target audience is
identified and video
is shaped to suit
their sensibilities
and expectations.

Target audience is
clearly identified and
video and accurately
reflects their sensibilities
and expectations.

Video demonstrates a
keen awareness of target
audience, deeply reflects
their sensibilities and
goes beyond viewer
expectations.

Voice is vague or
inappropriate and
does not appeal to
the target audice.

Voice is sometimes
inconsistent and
vaguely appeals to the
target audience.

Voice is consistent
and generally
appeals to the target
audience.

Voice is consistent and

thoroughly appeals to the
target audience.

Voice is consistent and

appeals to the target
audience in a highly
developed manner.