Lesson plan

Welcome to the Jungle:  Visual Literacy in Lower Elementary

Grade Level: First and Second

Subject

• Social Studies
• Visual Arts
• Computer Class

Theme:

• Visuals are used to stimulate emotions to manipulate needs and wants.

Objectives and Goals:

• Understand the three elements that are used to create an ad: symbolic, written, and technical.
• Create an ad using the three elements.
• Develop critical thinking skills for visual media

Required Materials and Equipment:
- images
- commercials
- movie title sequences
- print images for students

Anticipatory Set (approximate time):

Direct Instruction (5 minutes):

1. Show the students various dynamic, and potent advertisements.  
2. Pose questions about the advertisements that encourage critical thinking skills (i.e., what do you see, what words do you see, what do you think they are selling, how do you know what they are selling, would you buy this product - why or why not, how would you change this ad - why?).
3. Show the students several images and video commercials

Images:

         

Video Links:

The Force: Volkswagen Commercial

Gap Stripes

Movie title sequences:

The Avengers

kung fu panda

wall-e

Independent Practice (30 minutes):

1. In groups, students choose one print image provided by the teacher.
2. In groups, students transform that image into an advertisement for a product of their choice. They must create:
1. A catch phrase/slogan
2. Font type
3. Color of font type

Closure (approximate time):

• Students will gather in a circle and present their advertisement.  The audience will decide if they want to “buy” the product the students are selling.

Assessment and Follow-Up:

• Have students select three images from magazines in their home to bring in. The next day, students will individually:
1. identify the catch phrase/slogan
2. explain how image connects to the slogan
3. explain how the image and slogan connect to manipulate the audience to buy the product.