Making or Breaking Democracy
Who's it for?
High School and College/University
Contributing Author:
Stephanie A. Hallock, Ph.D.
We’ve created a community space for sharing lesson plans and curricula built around the Ground News tool—freely adaptable to each institution’s needs. While the Ground News platform fuels these materials, the Ground News company itself remains neutral and does not sponsor or author this content. LibraryUp is the facilitator, bringing together librarians and educators and this powerful news-comparison tool to advance media literacy.
Making or Breaking Democracy
The Media and Your Vote.
Objective:Â Â
Students will be able to understand the effects that media has on citizens/government and their actions.
Downloads:Â
Lecture Slides PowerPoint / PDF
Standard(s):Â
Not applicable Â
Vocabulary:Â Â
Media
Blind spots
Materials:Â Â
Access to Ground.NewsÂ
Lecture Slides PowerPoint / PDF
Implementation:Â Â
Prior to LessonÂ
Ensure students have access to Ground.NewsÂ
Pass out student response worksheets.Â
Guided PracticeÂ
Present Making or Breaking Democracy Lecture Slides to students.
Review Vocabulary with students.
Allow students access to Ground.News.
Complete the activity on Slides 5 - 6, Let's Try It, and record the student's findings as a whole group.
Independent Practice Â
Instruct students to complete the activity on Slide 8 independently.
Provide student response worksheet for students to record their findings.
ClosingÂ
Have students share their findings and discuss them with the whole group.
Assessments:Â
Students will complete the activity on the student response worksheet and be able to utilize Ground News to view media and its impacts.
Downloads:Â
Lecture Slides PowerPoint / PDF
Your Contributing Author
Stephanie A. Hallock, Ph.D.
Dr. Stephanie Hallock, a professor of political science and coordinator for global education and engagement at Harford Community College, integrated the innovative tool, Ground News, into her coursework starting in 2022. With over 22 years of experience in higher education, she is dedicated to advancing news literacy and empowering educators and students through experiential learning. Ground News, with its unique approach, is a key part of her strategy.