Lesson Plan - Can You Trust What You See on TikTok?

Watch a Video: News or Not?
Discuss: Why do you think it is easy to be fooled by false information we see online?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know. 

• influencers
• skeptical

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about ways to stop the spread of false information online. 

1. Why did Kit Atteberry and three other students at Williams Middle School post fake videos?
Kit and the other students posted videos of a fake fight and arrest because they wanted to find out how easily outrageous videos can spread on social media.
^{R.5 Cause and Effect}

2. What is misinformation, according to the article?
According to the article, misinformation is false information that is often meant to trick people.
^{R.4 Word Meaning}

3. According to the sidebar, “Don’t Fall for a Fake,” what are two steps you could take to avoid being tricked by a video on social media?
Sample response: According to the sidebar, one way to avoid getting tricked is to read the comments to see if someone has already flagged the video as fake. Another is to see if you can find the same information or video on a trustworthy news site.
^{R.7 Text Features}

FEATURED SKILL: Media Literacy
The Skill Builder “Fact or False?” helps students evaluate the reliability of information they see on social media. 
^{R.10 Close Reading}