Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 03/03/2026
Subject: Sociology
Lesson Topic: Media representations of class, gender, ethnicity and age groups
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe key sociological theories used to analyse media representations of class, gender, ethnicity and age.
  • Evaluate how media portrayals of these groups reinforce or challenge social hierarchies.
  • Apply critical criteria (accuracy, balance, power relations, audience impact) to a media text.
  • Analyse audience decoding using Hall’s encoding/decoding model.
  • Reflect on the social effects of media representations on attitudes and policy.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Laptop with internet access
  • Printed handouts of media excerpts (news article, advertisement, TV‑clip screenshots)
  • Worksheet with analysis framework (theory prompts, criteria checklist)
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Sticky notes for audience decoding activity
 Introduction:
Begin with a short montage of contrasting media clips that depict different social groups, asking students what first impressions they notice. Connect this to prior learning about media as a social institution and explain that today they will investigate how class, gender, ethnicity and age are constructed. Success criteria: students will identify theoretical perspectives, critique representations, and articulate audience readings.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Think‑pair‑share on a headline that shows a social group and note initial assumptions.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Overview of functionalist, Marxist, feminist, cultural‑studies and intersectional perspectives with brief media examples.
  3. Group analysis (15'): Each group receives a media excerpt; using the worksheet they identify representations of class, gender, ethnicity, age and apply the critical criteria.
  4. Decoding activity (10'): Groups present findings; the class uses Hall’s encoding/decoding model to label dominant, negotiated, or oppositional readings via sticky notes.
  5. Synthesis (5'): Teacher summarises links to media‑effects theories (cultivation, agenda‑setting) and highlights real‑world implications.
Conclusion:
Recap the main ways media shape perceptions of social groups and the analytical tools used today. For the exit ticket, students write one example of how a representation could influence public policy. Homework: write a brief critique of a media piece of their choice using the criteria discussed.