Age: 10-11 years

Duration: 70 min

Objectives

• Evaluate online headlines for credibility using a fact-checking checklist.
• Practice verify steps: source, author, date, cross-check, evidence.
• Write a short guide for responsible reading aimed at classmates.

Vocab

• media literacy: "Media literacy means thinking critically about news and online content."
• verify / credible: "Verify means confirm facts; credible sources are trustworthy."
• misinformation: "Misinformation is false or misleading information shared widely."
• claim / fact-check: "Fact-check each claim before you share or cite it."

Warm-up (5min)

Real or fake headline — show 3 headlines (1 satire, 1 reliable, 1 clickbait) — vote credible; discuss clues (ALL CAPS, unknown site, no author).

Main Activity (55min): "TIME for Kids"

"Media Literacy & Fact-Check Lab" — Round 1: Checklist build — author? date? domain? evidence? emotional language? — poster for classroom. Round 2: Headline station rotation — 4 mock web cards — score 1–4 credibility; justify in writing. Round 3: Fact-check steps role-play — Student A shares claim; Student B models verify (cross-check second source on teacher handout). Round 4: Connect to Lesson 08 editorials — opinion ok, false facts not ok. Round 5: Write "Responsible Reading Guide" — 6–8 sentences for classmates: 4 rules + 2 examples of red flags. Round 6: Link to essay — only cite credible sources in final polish. TFK portfolio #4 — pairs with G4 research reliability unit.

Wrap-up (5min)

Share one red flag from today: "I will not trust a source that ___ ."

Teacher Tips

• Use printed mock pages only — no open web browsing in class for safety.
• Fourth TFK unit — media literacy protects essay credibility in Lesson 18.
• Satire confusion is real — one example of joke site vs news site prevents embarrassment.