Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Mass Culture

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage is essential to establish the direction of learning in the lesson. At this moment, the teacher should clearly clarify what students should achieve by the end of the session, guiding their expectations and preparing the ground for targeted engagement. By defining specific objectives, students will be able to focus their efforts and participation in the proposed activities, thus maximizing their time in the classroom.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to identify and analyze different cultural expressions in Mass Culture, with a special focus on media variants.

2. Develop critical skills to evaluate the impact of Mass Culture on society and the formation of individual and collective identities.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage the active participation of students through group discussions and individual presentations, promoting the exchange of ideas and perspectives.

Introduction

Duration: (20 - 25 minutes)

The Introduction serves to engage students and connect them with the content they previously studied about Mass Culture. The proposed problem situations encourage students to apply their knowledge critically and creatively, preparing the ground for a more in-depth discussion in the classroom. The contextualization helps to understand the relevance of the topic in the real world, increasing students' interest and understanding of how Mass Culture manifests in their lives and in society.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine a group of friends deciding to go to the movies, but each one prefers to watch a different recent release. How does Mass Culture influence these friends' entertainment choices?

2. In a department store, various products are highlighted, all associated with celebrities who are current pop icons. How does this association with public figures affect consumers' purchasing decisions, especially among younger ones?

Contextualization

Mass Culture is not just a collection of cultural products, but a phenomenon that permeates the daily lives of all people, influencing tastes, behaviors, and even beliefs. For example, the success of series like 'Stranger Things' is not limited to its plot but extends to the clothing, toys, and even decor markets, shaping what is considered 'cool' or 'retro' for different generations. Understanding these dynamics helps to grasp how Mass Culture shapes and is shaped by society.

Development

Duration: (70 - 80 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to allow students to practically and creatively apply the concepts studied at home about Mass Culture. Working in groups, they will have the opportunity to explore specific themes, create cultural products or presentations, and debate, allowing for collaborative and in-depth learning. This approach not only reinforces understanding of the content but also develops teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Pop Culture in Debate

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop argumentation and critical analysis skills regarding the influence of Mass Culture on different aspects of contemporary life.

- Description: In this activity, students will be divided into groups of up to five people. Each group will receive a topic within Mass Culture to debate and present to the class. The topics include the influence of social networks on culture, the impact of reality shows on the perception of reality, and the relationship between pop music and youth identity. Each group will have 10 minutes to prepare their presentation and 5 minutes to present it, followed by 5 minutes for questions and comments.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of no more than five students.

• Assign each group one of the provided topics.

• Allow 10 minutes for each group to prepare a presentation focused on exploring the theme, using current examples and supplementary research.

• Each group will present their topic to the class in 5 minutes.

• After the presentation, there will be 5 minutes for questions and comments, both from peers and the teacher.

Activity 2 - Creating a Cultural Product

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Encourage creativity and practical understanding of how Mass Culture is constructed and disseminated.

- Description: Students, in groups, will create a cultural product (it can be a commercial, a song, a short film, a meme, etc.) that reflects elements of Mass Culture studied. They will have to consider how their product can be popularized and what its impact on society would be. Each group will present their product to the class, explaining their choices and strategies.

- Instructions:

• Form groups of up to five students.

• Each group chooses a type of cultural product to develop.

• Groups have 10 minutes to plan and 40 minutes to create their product.

• Each group presents their product to the class, explaining the concept, popularization strategies, and expected impact.

• Open space for feedback and discussion about the created products.

Activity 3 - Mass Cultural Festival

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Encourage independent research and creativity in the presentation of content about Mass Culture, as well as promote interaction and dialogue among students.

- Description: Transform the classroom into a small cultural festival, where each group presents an aspect of Mass Culture that they chose to study. It can be an art exhibition, a performance, an interactive quiz game, etc. Students should prepare their presentations at home and perform them in class, followed by time for questions and discussion.

- Instructions:

• Groups choose an aspect of Mass Culture to explore and decide the format of their presentation.

• Each group prepares their presentation at home, with the teacher's supervision.

• In class, each group will have a designated time to present their work.

• After each presentation, there will be a period for questions and discussion with the class.

• At the end, the teacher can summarize the main points discussed and carry out a joint reflection on the festival.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this feedback stage is to consolidate students' learning, allowing them to articulate and reflect on the knowledge acquired during the activities. The group discussion helps to promote a deeper understanding of the topics addressed, as well as developing communication and critical thinking skills through the exchange of ideas and perspectives. This moment also serves for the teacher to assess students' understanding and clarify any remaining doubts, ensuring an effective conclusion to the lesson.

Group Discussion

At the end of the presentations, lead a discussion in which all groups participate. Start by asking how each group approached the theme and what impressed them most in their peers' presentations. Encourage students to compare and contrast the different aspects of Mass Culture that were explored, focusing on similarities, differences, and lessons learned about the influence of media and cultural trends in everyday life.

Key Questions

1. What were the main points that caught your attention in the presentations of other groups and why?

2. How does Mass Culture influence the choices and behaviors of the general public and of yourselves, as young people?

3. What could the groups have done differently to explore the theme even more deeply?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion is to consolidate learning, ensuring that students can relate theoretical content to the practice observed and applied during the lesson. This moment also aims to reinforce the importance of the topic discussed, showing its applicability and relevance in the students' daily lives, as well as preparing them for continuous reflection on cultural influences in their lives and in society as a whole.

Summary

To conclude the lesson, the teacher should summarize the main points discussed about Mass Culture, reinforcing the influences and cultural expressions covered, such as the impact of social networks, reality shows, and pop music. Recapping key concepts is important to ensure that students have a clear understanding of the content.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson connected theory and practice by allowing students to apply concepts of Mass Culture in creative activities and debates. Through activities like 'Pop Culture in Debate' and 'Creating a Cultural Product', students were able to see how sociological concepts are experienced and influence their daily lives.

Closing

Finally, it is crucial to highlight the relevance of Mass Culture in everyday life, how it influences choices, behaviors, and perceptions. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for more conscious and critical participation in contemporary society, where media and cultural products increasingly permeate interactions and decisions.