RI CONFERENCE

March 7, 2014

Ms. Christina Louth

North Providence High School

1828 Mineral Spring Ave

North Providence, RI 02904

Re: Cutting up Curriculum: Using Magazine Advertisements to Teach Content Area Subjects

Dear Ms. Louth,

      I recently attended your workshop hosted by the Rhode Island Writing Project at Rhode Island College. Your refreshing approach to keeping lessons relevant was not only engaging, but extremely simple and cost effective.  You prefaced the activity by showing us a Ted’s Talk video where the take home message was that it was time for students to stop learning and start thinking.  This could not have been more true. Often times we become so focused on covering content and performing on high stakes tests that we forget to give students adequate time to digest what they’ve already been taught. 

            One of the things that really stood out for me was how easily I could incorporate the idea of cutting up magazine ads into my content area. Even more so how quickly the activity transformed into a interdisciplinary project because as I analyzed the advertisements, I paid closer attention to what the companies were trying to sell us and why. It quickly stirred up my emotions to see that Toyota was claiming that the Prius would keep our environment safe and “green”. At least that was my interpretation of the picture, but the fact that it was “My” interpretation, and no one else’s, made it resonate even more with me. Now I’m wondering if consumers really believe that the only cause of the climate changes we’re experiencing are due to vehicle emissions and that shelling out an extra $20k for a hybrid car will really fix the problem.  It now takes the scientific issue and turns it into a social/humanities issue, effortlessly.

            While I quietly created my own advertisement, it gave me time to process all the things I knew about climate change and also made me ask additional questions. For example, “How much is this vehicle really helping to reduce pollution versus perhaps riding a bike to school?” “What would be a better way of reducing my carbon footprint?” Perhaps having students create a list of additional questions that pop into their heads and engaging in group conversations, will add another dimension to the activity that will also aid in their understanding of concepts. This is definitely and idea that I will add to my toolbox. Thanks for sharing!

Sincerely,

Brigette Banta-Cain