Health educators have a tough job in the face of a media culture that promotes junk food consumption over thoughtful nutrition, and that depicts highly sexualized or violent behaviors as typical or normal. Parents have a huge role to play in guiding children through the tidal waves of unhealthy media messages, but teachers play an important role, too.

In schools, media literacy can be integrated into classes variously termed Health, Life Skills or Consumer Skills. This Q&A will guide you in that effort. If you're new to media literacy, take our introductory tour for health educators and professionals, then return here for more information.

What are the health, life or consumer skills standards on media literacy in my state?

More than 75% of American states incorporate at least one reference to media literacy in the health or life/consumer skills curriculum.  Media literacy consultant Frank Baker has built a matrix showing where all 50 states' curriculum standards incorporate media studies. For California educators, here's a printer-friendly, two-sided document listing all the California state curriculum standards that incorporate teaching media literacy, including health education standards for middle and high school.

How do I begin integrating media education into my daily teaching?

For a fast start in this subject area, the CD-roms from the New Mexico Media Literacy Project are packed with examples of media advertising and other health-related messages, for classroom analysis and learning.

You can also just jump in by incorporating filmmaking into your classwork. Check out this outstanding site at The Director in the Classroom for why and how this can engage students and enhance learning like nothing else you might try.

Excellent articles on media and health are in the Reading Room of the Center for Media Literacy. Over the longer term, check out their excellent CML MediaLit Kit™ , It provides “a blueprint for building an inquiry-based media literacy program based on principles developed and honed through years of research and use both in the United States and around the world.” The kit's free 25-page Orientation Guide provides a "guided tour" of the media literacy process for teachers, curriculum designers and those who want to integrate media literacy into an educational setting, and is available FREE on their website.

Is there a textbook?

There are many U.S. textbooks that include lessons on deconstructing media messages related to health (alcohol, tobacco, body image, etc), but they do not necessarily use the phrase "media literacy" to describe the lesson.

What other resources are available?

• The Center for Media Literacy (CML), utilizing its MediaLit Kit framework, provides curricula, professional development, implementation and research "to prepare educators, parents and children with the media literacy skills necessary to be enlightened, engaged citizens of a global media culture."
• Media Education Foundation Thought-provoking videos (also in DVD format), most with printed discussion guides, primarily for older teens, college-age and adults. Topics include consumer culture, media portrayals of race and sexual orientation, media violence, bullying, images of women in advertising and more.
• New Mexico Media Literacy Project   CD-ROM teaching resources, study guides and other materials, primarily around media influence on young people through alcohol and tobacco advertising.
• See also the Health & Behavior section of this website for many links to organizations and individuals doing media literacy work in the health area.

Are there online lesson plans relevant to health and life skills issues?

• Media Awareness Network See The Lesson Library on the right sidebar, with search capability by topic area and grade level. Topics include consumerism, nutrition, tobacco advertising and violence. This is an outstanding site, and demonstrates how far the U.S. has to go in integrating media education into our curricula.
• PBS Teacher Source has a huge collection of lesson plans and activities on health and fitness.
• Media Literacy Clearinghouse has a wealth of information and links. Topics include health, alcohol advertising, tobacco advertising and more.

What are the best overall media education websites, and how can I most easily find information on them?

The advanced search function on this website allows you to search what we consider to be the top media literacy sites on the web. Just enter your search term(s) and you'll get results from the best on the web.

How can I locate a media education speaker for a workshop or conference?

That one's easy! Visit our Media Literacy Speakers Bureau™ here on this website.

Are there organizations and professional development opportunities to help me with my media literacy teaching?

Yes. Check  out our Community page, and review our Calendar of conferences & events

Is there a media literacy list serve or discussion group I can join to network with others like me?

Yes, our Community page has that information.

Once you learn to look and listen with media-literate eyes and ears, and to create your own messages in new media formats, your life will never be the same. That's good! Enjoy the journey.

Many thanks to media literacy consultant/speaker Frank Baker (editor of Media Literacy Clearinghouse and advisor to MediaLiteracy.com), for his help with this Teaching section.