Part I

Purpose:

• to help students distinguish between what is real and what claims to be real

Activities:

1. Give students an assignment. As they work, have them observe the way they're acting.

2. Walk around the classroom with a video camera as students continue to work.

3. Discuss the effect the camera had on the way they acted.
   • How did they feel when they were being recorded?
   • Did they behave any differently than they did when they weren't being taped?

4. Discuss: How might the presence of a camera in shows like COPS and The Real World give the audience a false impression of the truth?

Part II

Purpose:

• to help students recognize the differences between the truth and a reenactment

Activities:

1. Teacher: watch a program such as Rescue 911 or America's Most Wanted that features both interviews with real people and dramatic recreations.
   • record the segments of the show that are dramatic reenactments on one tape
   • record the interviews with the actual people on another

2. Show both tapes to the class and discuss:
   • What are the differences between the actors and the real people?
   • Who did you have more sympathy for?

Questions? Comments? Post them to the Teacher's BBS.