Part of Lesson Plan: Producing the PSA

Activity Overview / Details

Handout the PSA Producer's Guide and ask them to read the first section, stop when they come to the heading "The Message." As they read, start  writing topics/ideas on the board leaving space between the words or post somewhere in classroom, examples: Smoking, Bullying, Environment, Education, etc. Don't write too many, 3 or 4 is fine. The words are purposely vague as to provoke discussion. Pass out two or three post-it notes aka "stickies" to each student as they read.

When they have finished reading ask students to write one word on each sticky note. The words should be what they associate with the topics. When they are done ask them to post the sticky under the topic. Tell the students to write whatever comes into their head first, there are no right or wrong answers.

When they are completed this, read every sticky, no matter what is written, under each topic and try to categorize the ideas. 

When all ideas have been read, go back to the first main topic, choose a category under that topic that has a few stickies associated with it and ask the students," Who is the audience for this message?"

Do not accept answers like "parents" "teachers" "us", ask them for specifics.Use questions on handout to drive discussion.