Page 54 - The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 and 10: English, 2007 (Revised)

Critical Literacy
1.5 identify the perspectives and/or biases evident in both simple and complex media texts and comment on any questions they may raise about beliefs, values, and identity (e.g., identify the characteristics that signal Canadian content and interests in a Canadian television program; explain the messages conveyed through the depiction of gender roles in popular music videos)
Teacher prompts: “To what degree does this program reflect your own interests and iden- tity as a Canadian? Why do you think national identity is promoted? What other types of identity are important to you?” “How do images included in a school newsletter or newspaper reflect values and identity?”
Production Perspectives
1.6 explain how several different production, marketing, and distribution factors influence the media industry (e.g., explain why DVDs include trailers for first-run movies playing in local theatres; explain how a shopping mall is designed and organized to influence consumers)
Teacher prompt: “Why would companies pay to have their products used in films and tele- vision shows?”
By the end of this course, students will:
Form
2.1 identify general characteristics of several dif- ferent media forms and explain how they shape content and create meaning (e.g., a bill- board soft-drink ad presents a static image sug- gesting the product’s thirst-quenching qualities,3 while a television commercial links the product to a lively, interactive social situation)
Teacher prompt: “How does the representation of a doctor in a product advertisement differ from the representation of a doctor in a med- ical drama?”
Conventions and Techniques
2.2 identify several different conventions and/or techniques used in familiar media forms and explain how they convey meaning and influence their audience (e.g., camera angles and sound effects in films can create suspense and evoke fear in the audience; headlines, photographs, and captions in newspaper and magazine layouts draw the reader’s attention to particular stories4)
Teacher prompt: “How is the use of an extreme close-up (say, of a character’s eye) in a horror movie different from the use of an extreme close-up of a diamond ring in a jewellery ad?”
3. Creating Media Texts
By the end of this course, students will:
Purpose and Audience
3.1 describe the topic, purpose, and audience for media texts they plan to create (e.g., a video or photo collage to persuade peers to participate in a favourite sport or club) and identify specific challenges they may face in achieving their purpose
Teacher prompt: “What could you include in your book-promotion poster that would get your classmates’ attention?”
Form
3.2 select a media form to suit the topic, purpose, and audience for a media text they plan to create, and explain why it is an appropriate choice (e.g., explain why a video would be more effective than a brochure to present information about climate change to a science class5)
Teacher prompt: “What forms might you choose to document and celebrate the winning season of a local team? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of each form?”
Conventions and Techniques
3.3 identify several different conventions and/or techniques appropriate to a media form they plan to use, and explain how these will help them communicate meaning (e.g., conventions/ techniques for the home page of a website: menus to identify the main topics covered on the site; visuals to create interest in particular topics; links to other websites)
Teacher prompt: “What types of special effects could you use to create suspense in a short action film?”
Producing Media Texts
3.4 produce media texts for several different purposes and audiences, using appropriate forms, conventions, and techniques (e.g., a TV public service announcement to inform teens about a social issue or health topic; a brochure to inform peers about important figures in Aboriginal history)
Teacher prompt: “What elements will you include in your movie poster? How will you make sure the poster appeals to the movie’s target audience of young children?”
MEDIA STUDIES
2. Understanding Media Forms, Conventions, and Techniques
3. TL Media 7-10 “Reading Between the Lines (Predictions)” 10
4. TL Media 7-10 “Exploring the Key Concepts of Media Literacy” 2
5. TL Media 7-10 “Planning a Public Service Announcement” 14
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English
ENG1D