This topic is very important, and covers a huge area. I just read an article that I think would be a good starting place for almost any age group. Marlene Thier 2008 “Media and Science: Developing Skepticiam and Crtical Thinking”. Science Scope 32(3): 21-23.

Ms. Thier gives several examples of how media can be used to foster student’s critical thinking skills. On page 23, she states: “To be media literate, we must help students become adept at using a full range of literacy skills to navigate the sea of messages that are designed to sway their beliefs and manipulate their emotions.”

Here are some on-line resources that may be helpful.

Center for Media Literacy
http://www.frankwbaker.com/media_messages.htm

Read, Write, Think
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=96

The New Mexico Media Literacy Project
http://www.nmmlp.org/store/free_downloads.html

The New York Times Lesson Plans
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/index.html