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Lesson

Clicks for Cash

How does internet advertising contribute to the spread of disinformation?

Grade

11

Time

45 mins.

Well-crafted headlines benefit everyone. They help readers digest information and publishers sell news stories. But what if the headline is misleading? What if it's crafted just to get clicks or even to spread disinformation? "Clickbait" headlines may benefit advertisers and publishers, but they don't benefit readers. Help students recognize and analyze clickbait when they see it.

Objectives:
  • Describe how advertisers and publishers make money through online advertising.

  • Describe how clickbait can contribute to the spread of fake news and disinformation.

  • Use the Take a Stand thinking routine to consider different perspectives about whose responsibility it is to fight fake news and disinformation.

Vocabulary Show definitions
clickbait · advertisement · advertiser · publisher (website) · disinformation

clickbait – an image or headline that tries to get you to click on it, usually for advertising purposes
advertisement – a message that promotes a product, service, opportunity, or event using television, the internet, billboards, or other public spaces
advertiser – a person or company who is hired to create advertisements
publisher (website) – the person or company who created the website and its contents
disinformation – false or inaccurate information intended to deceive
STANDARDS
This lesson meets standards for  Common Core ELA,  ISTE,  CASEL, and  AASL .  See standards
Lesson slides
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Topics 1

STANDARDS
This lesson meets standards for  Common Core ELA,  ISTE,  CASEL, and  AASL .  See standards
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Key Standards Supported

Common Core ELA

RI.9-10.1, RI.9-10.10, RI.9-10.2, RI.9-10.4, RI.9-10.7, L.11-12.1, L.11-12.3, L.11-12.4, L.11-12.6, RH.11-12.1, RH.11-12.10, RH.11-12.2, RH.11-12.4, RH.11-12.7, RH.11-12.8, RH.11-12.9, SL.11-12.1, SL.11-12.1a, SL.11-12.1b, SL.11-12.1c, SL.11-12.1d, SL.11-12.2, SL.11-12.4, SL.11-12.6, W.11-12.1, W.11-12.10, W.11-12.4, W.11-12.8, W.11-12.9, WHST.11-12.10, WHST.11-12.4, WHST.11-12.8

ISTE

1d, 2b, 3a, 3b, 3d, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d

CASEL

4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 5a, 5b, 5e, 5f

AASL

I.A.2, II.A.1, II.A.2, III.A.1, III.A.2, IV.A.1, IV.A.2, IV.A.3, V.A.1, V.A.2, V.A.3, VI.A.1, VI.A.2, VI.A.3, I.B.1, II.B.1, III.B.1, III.B.2, IV.B.1, II.C.1, II.C.2, III.C.2, I.D.1, I.D.2, I.D.3, I.D.4, II.D.1, II.D.2, II.D.3, III.D.1, VI.D.1, VI.D.2

Lesson Plan

45 mins.

Consider: Clicks for Cash

10 mins.

Explore: All About the Money?

10 mins.

Take a Stand: Whose Fake News

20 mins.

Wrap Up: Disinformation Infestation

5 mins.

Additional Resources

Creative Commons Attribution, Non Commercial,No Derivatives
© Common Sense Media. Lessons are shareable with attribution for noncommercial use only. No remixing permitted. View detailed license information at creativecommons.org. Lesson last updated: July 2020

What You'll Need

In Class

  • Lesson Slides
  • Whose Fake News
    Handout
    Teacher Version
  • Lesson Quiz

For Families

  • Family Activity
  • Family Tips
    English Spanish More languages
    Open
  • Family Engagement Resources
Select a resource, then open in English or Spanish.
Creative Commons Attribution, Non Commercial,No Derivatives
© Common Sense Media. Lessons are shareable with attribution for noncommercial use only. No remixing permitted. View detailed license information at creativecommons.org. Lesson last updated: July 2020

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