Content Area: Health and Physical Education

 

Index: 2.2A Grade 4 CPI 1

 

Standard: 2.2 - Integrated Skills

 

Strand: A -   Communication 

 

Cumulative Progress Indicator: 1 -  The student will explain how to determine the validity and reliability of a health resource.

 

Grade: 4

 

Sample Activities:

 

·    CHECK OUT THIS MESSAGE -  Students locate ads in magazines, newspapers, or on the Internet (e.g., toothpaste, weight-loss products, mouthwash, toys, sports equipment). Focus the students on products that may be harmful if used incorrectly. Divide the class into small groups and give each group one of the ads. Students identify words or pictures that promote the product as safe, fun, trendy, or absolutely necessary. After group discussion, students present their ads to the rest of the class and develop a list of tips for consumers when they look at ads.

Variation: Small groups develop a role-play of one of the ads and present the skit to the class. Students critique the role-play for factual information, false advertising, and gimmicks and then identify ways that the product is promoted as safe, fun, or necessary.
 

·    SOURCES OF ADVERTISING - Brainstorm sources of advertising (e.g., billboards, storefront ads, contests, sporting events, brand name clothing and equipment, T-shirts, balloons, airplanes with banners, comics, signs on buses, planes, and taxis). For one week, students keep a log listing messages from the sources noted above. After completing the logs, students graph the number and types of ads for each category and discuss the accuracy, appeals, and messages in the ads.

Variation: After a discussion of the ads, students list additional sources for information about the kinds of products being advertised (e.g., toothpaste/dentist).
 

·    ADVERTISING TECHNIQUES - Pose the following question: “ Have you ever bought a product, like cereal or candy, and expected it to be really great and then after you tried it, it really wasn’t what the ads said it was?” Explain that advertisers carefully monitor the people who buy their products and look for ways to attract new customers. There are special techniques advertisers use to get people to buy their products. Explain the following advertising techniques and provide examples of each. As you explain each, ask the students to think of an ad that fits the description and note it on a sheet of paper for later discussion. Divide the class into small groups. Each group locates ads from various sources and tries to match the ad with the advertising method. Groups share their findings.