LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Identify common clichés used to portray teen life on TV; evaluate the extent to which TV shows accurately represent teens; describe healthy attitudes toward inaccurate portrayals of teen life. 

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 8: Analyze the influence of media and other factors on health behaviors. 

 

CASEL: Social awareness; self-awareness 

KEY VOCAB

immerse

clichés

turbulent

intrigue 

Lesson Plan: Teens on TV vs. IRL

Learn about how TV misrepresents teens—and why you shouldn’t feel bad if your reality doesn’t match. 

Table of Contents:

1. Preparing to Read

2. Reading and Discussing

3. Building Comprehension and Vocabulary

4. Expanding SEL Opportunities

1. Preparing to Read

Before you read the article “Teens on TV vs. IRL” ask your students the following pre-reading question:

To what extent do popular TV shows accurately represent what it’s like being a teenager, and how should you respond to inaccurate portrayals of teen life? 

2. Reading and Discussing

  • Have your students read the article "Teens on TV vs. IRL" independently; read the article out loud to them; or have students partner-read the article out loud.
  • After they’ve read the article, revisit the pre-reading question. Have their answers changed?
  • Next, have your students answer the Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking questions, either working in small groups or independently.


Close-Reading Questions
The following questions can be shared in printable or interactive form from the Resources tab. 

  1. How is homework and learning portrayed in many TV shows about teens, and how does this contrast with real life? 
  2. Which TV shows are the most realistic, according to the article? List at least two shows. 


Critical-Thinking Questions

  1. Have you ever felt affected by any of the inaccurate portrayals of teen life on TV? Explain. 

  2. Why is diverse representation of teens on TV important, in your opinion? 

3. Building Comprehension and Vocab

Check students’ comprehension of and engagement with the story with the following assessment tools:

  • Quiz

  • Vocab Builder

4. Expanding SEL Opportunities

Continue the learning journey with the following extension activity:

In IS THIS REAL LIFE? have students (with parental permission) review one episode of a show mentioned in the article or another show of their choosing that features a portrayal of teen life. They should consider whether any of the clichés they learned about are present in that episode, and evaluate how well that episode represents teen life. 

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