In the Spotlight
Ashley Campion
Created on March 21, 2024
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START
In the Spotlight
How can television shows help us understand the world around us?
16
PRESENTATION
Television
8.6(H)
8.5(G)
8.5(e)
8.5(B)
8.6(c)
8.5(F)
8.6(B)
8.6(E)
8.5(c)
8.1(d)
lesson standards
8.1(A)
8.5(i)
WRITE YOURTITLE HERE
Identify and discuss specific examples of how television shows can provide insights into different cultures, societies, and perspectives.
Learning Intention
The intention of this lesson is for students to understand the potential of television shows in broadening their understanding of the world.
Language Objective
I will effectively communicate my ideas and opinions about television shows using appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures.
WhAt will our lesson look like?
Do you feel represented in the TV shows you watch?
- A. Yes. I see people like me.
- B. Sometimes. It depends on the TV show.
- C. Sometimes. I see people like me, but they are never the main character.
- D. No. I never see people like me.
Quikpoll:
- Think about a television show you've watched recently.
- What themes or issues did it address?
- How do you think television shows can influence our understanding of the world?"
Do Now:
You might have fond memories of your favorite children’s TV shows. You might remember the silly songs. Some jokes may still make you laugh. Maybe a beloved character reminded you of yourself. Now, two popular British children’s TV shows are welcoming new characters to their lineup. These characters will allow more kids to see themselves reflected on screen. In September 2022, “Thomas & Friends” introduced its first autistic train character. The “Thomas & Friends” producers hoped that autistic kids could see themselves in Bruno. Especially as he navigated different situations. “Bruno is a Brake Car, and he is a new friend for Thomas and his friends, and he’s also autistic, like me,” said 9-year-old Elliott Garcia. Garcia voices the character for the British show. Garcia told NPR that Bruno is funny. Bruno is also smart. But Bruno can also get overwhelmed. He can also get worried. “He can flap his ladders to tell you if he’s upset or if he’s really excited, so he can use his items to show you how he’s feeling,” Garcia pointed out. The show wanted to ensure the most accurate portrayal of autism. So, autistic writers contributed to Bruno’s character. Advocacy groups also helped. “Bruno rolls in reverse at the end of the train, which gives him a unique perspective on the world,” a press release from Mattel said. “Detail-oriented Bruno enjoys schedules, routine, and knows where all the tracks lead on Sodor.” Characters like Bruno are opening up opportunities for autistic artists. Just take a look at Garcia. They get to help share their experiences with a large audience. Garcia says he can relate to Bruno’s ear defenders. When there is a really loud noise, Garcia says he has trouble coping. He also relates to Bruno because he gets quite worried about things too. Bruno allows autistic kids to see themselves on screen. He also allows autistic kids to see their experiences on screen. And these characters show others what those experiences are. “I hope that Bruno will provide viewers with meaningful examples of inclusion in everyday life,” Zoe Gross told CBS News. Gross is the director of advocacy for the Autistic Self Advocacy Network.
In September, the popular British show “Peppa Pig” also made a new stride in representation. The show featured same-sex parents. The character Penny Polar Bear shares that she has two mothers in an episode of the show. “Peppa Pig” decided to introduce a same-sex couple after a petition for greater diversity. The petition garnered 25,000 signatures. The petition pointed out that children watching Peppa Pig are at an impressionable age. The petition said excluding same-sex families will teach them that only families with either a single parent or two parents of different sexes are normal. Why is diversity in entertainment so important? Young people watched an average of two hours of TV per day in 2019. What young people see on TV can shape their perception of the world. Jordan Levinson wrote an article for Psychology In Action. Levinson said what young people see in media shapes their beliefs about themselves. It also shaped what they believe about others. This can “become problematic when considering the underrepresentation or negative portrayal of certain identities.” Some young people do not see themselves represented. That can lead to lower self-esteem. Some people watch negative depictions of certain identities. That can make young people feel invisible. They may feel unimportant. Levinson said audiences lose the opportunity to see people they can identify with portrayed in a positive way. With increased diversity comes increased positivity. It can show kids how people with their experiences react to situations. Viewing and normalizing differences can also help children better understand their peers. “Peppa Pig is not just for entertainment, children are inevitably learning from it too,” the petition to add LGBTQ diversity to “Peppa Pig” said. What do you think? Why is diversity in TV important? How can television shows help us understand the world around us?
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