Activity Introduction

shark-frame-260x300 fixedQuick summary: In this activity students work in groups to analyse media stories and stories from scientific agencies about Great White Sharks. The aim is to see if the media portrays scientific research on sharks in a particular way that differs from the message provided by the scientific agencies. They present the results of their analysis for discussion and comparison.

earth-hour-160x160

This activity has been created in partnership with WWF-Australia. Earth Hour is the world’s largest community-driven climate change campaign. At the centre of Earth Hour is switching off lights to show a commitment to taking action. Thousands of teachers use Earth Hour’s education program to enrich their curriculum and provide pathways for young people to create change in their world.

For the most up to date Earth Hour dates, times, and events, check here.

Learning goals:

  • Students understand that the media uses a range of strategies and techniques to portray Great White Sharks, and can recognise some of these strategies and techniques.
  • Students understand some of the science behind Great White Shark research.

General capabilities: Literacy, Critical and creative thinking, Ethical understanding.

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.2, OI.5.

Australian Curriculum content description:

Year 9 English

  • Interpret, analyse and evaluate how different perspectives of issue, event, situation, individuals or groups are constructed to serve specific purposes in texts (ACELY1742)
  • Use comprehension strategies to interpret and analyse texts, comparing and evaluating representations of an event, issue, situation or character in different texts (ACELY1744)
  • Explore and explain the combinations of language and visual choices that authors make to present information, opinions and perspectives in different texts (ACELY1745)
  • Create imaginative, informative and persuasive texts that present a point of view and advance or illustrate arguments, including texts that integrate visual, print and/or audio features (ACELY1746)
  • Use a range of software, including word processing programs, flexibly and imaginatively to publish texts (ACELY1748)

Syllabus Outcomes: EN5-1A, EN5-2A. 

Topic: Biodiversity

Time required: 60 mins

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – Facilitate discussion around the comparison between newspaper articles and facts.

Resources required: Internet access, library access (optional) student worksheet, lists of scientific sites and newspaper articles (see students worksheet).

Digital technology opportunities: Internet based research, Prezi, Word cloud

Keywords: Sharks, media, science, news.

 

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

great-barrier-reef-biodiversity-hero-260x300 fixedTeacher preparation:

Overarching learning goal: Students understand that the media uses a range of strategies and techniques to portray Great White Sharks, and can recognise some of these strategies and techniques. They also understand that it is the author that makes the choices about information is presented. Students understand some of the science behind Great White Shark research.

Teacher content information: We often hear people say that the media is responsible for exaggerating the truth, embellishing a story, or presenting a biased view to sell more newspapers. But is this what really happens? Does the media report on Great White Sharks differently to scientific agencies? If there is a difference, what does this difference look like?

About Earth Hour: Earth Hour is a WWF-Australia initiative, and is the world’s largest community-driven climate change campaign. At the centre of Earth Hour is switching off lights to show a commitment to taking action. Thousands of teacers use E

...
 
- or - to view worksheets

Student Worksheet

Thought starter - How do sharks breed?

Sharks in the news - List some of the stories you have heard or read about in the news that relate to sharks. What is the general tone of these stories?

 

Article analysis - Pick 3 sites or articles to read and analyse. Use these questions to help with the analysis of each site or article on Great White Sharks.

Article 1.

Name of article

Author

Source
1. What is the main message of the site or article?

 

2. Does the site or article use any particular language to get its message across (i.e. does it use emotive language)? Include examples.

 

3. How are the sharks portrayed in the site or article?

 

4. How are people portrayed in the site or article?

 

5. Do you think this site or article presents a balanced view of all its subjects? Why or why not?

 

6. How are images used to support the message of the article?

Article 2.

Name of article

Author

Source
1. What is the main message of the site or article?

 

...
 
- or - to view worksheets

Leave your Feedback

We appreciate your feedback. Let us know what you like or don't like about this activity:

Sorry. You must be logged in to view this form.