Media Lab Launch Teacher Guide Media Lab Launch
Fluency Intervention | Lesson 1 of 2
Duration
25 Minutes
Learning Objectives
Identify and define prefixes re-, in-, and pro- in context.
Increase reading accuracy and rate through repeated 1-minute readings.
Establish a baseline Words Correct Per Minute (WCPM) score.
Preparation
Print "Burger Battles" text for each student.
Prepare Lesson 1 Slide Deck.
Stopwatch or timer for 1-minute intervals.
Lesson Flow
5 MIN
Introduction & Media Hook
"Welcome to the Media Lab. Today, we're dissecting how big companies talk to us. We're reading 'Burger Battles'—a text about the war between fast food and health."
Distribute the text.
Briefly discuss: "Who do you think is winning the 'Burger Battle' in your neighborhood?"
5 MIN
Prefix Decoding: re-, in-, pro-
Display slides for definitions.
re-: again / back
e.g., research, report
in-: in / into
e.g., impact, increase
pro-: forward / in favor
e.g., promote, produce
Have students circle these words in the first two paragraphs of the text.
12 MIN
Fluency Rounds (3 Attempts)
Teacher Instructions:
Cold Read (Attempt 1): Set timer for 1 min. Students read from the beginning. Mark stop point.
Review: Briefly echo-read the first paragraph together, focusing on multi-syllabic words like "advertising" or "research."
Practice Read (Attempt 2): Repeat 1-min read. Encourage faster pace.
Final Read (Attempt 3): Focus on accuracy and natural phrasing.
Pro Tips for High School
Respect the Vibe
High schoolers may feel self-conscious about timed reading. Position this as "voice coaching" or "speech analysis" for a presentation rather than "learning to read."
Accuracy Over Speed
If a student is racing but skipping endings or prefix boundaries, remind them to "keep the resolution high"—accuracy is the foundation for speed.
Morphology Reference Guide
Prefix Code Key Word from Text Analysis re- research / report Looking again at data / carrying info back. in- insulin / increase Hormone in the body / growing into a larger amount. pro- promote / produce Moving an idea forward / leading forward a product.
Media Lab Launch Slides Deck Project: Media Lab
Launch Phase
Morphology & Fluency Reconnaissance
SESSION_01 // V.1.1
The Burger Battle
Fast food giants vs. Health experts.
For decades, a "food fight" has been occurring across the U.S.
1/3 of U.S. kids eat fast food daily.
Billions spent on advertising to teens.
Mission Briefing:
Prefix Dossier: RE-
Meaning
Again or Back
"There is a lot of research showing that eating fast food is harmful..."
research
To look (search) again.
report
To carry (port) back info.
Prefix Dossier: IN-
Meaning
In or Into
"...to highlight the impact of fast-food advertising."
*Note: "In" often becomes "Im" before P or B.
impact
Striking into something.
increase
To grow into more.
Prefix Dossier: PRO-
Meaning
Forward
"...signed a voluntary agreement to help promote healthier choices."
promote
To move forward.
produce
To lead forward.
Mission: Fluency
01
Accuracy
Don't guess. Look at every prefix and ending.
02
Rate
Find a smooth, consistent rhythm.
03
Prosody
Read with expression, like you're talking.
Round 01: Cold Read
1 MINUTE
Start at the beginning:
"For several decades, there's been a huge food fight going on across the United States! On one side are the fast-food giants—Wendy's, Burger King, McDonald's... On the other side are many health experts who say that too much fast food has been impacting..."
Round 02: Practice
1 MINUTE
Push the pace:
"The Yale team discovered that one-third of U.S. kids at the time ate some type of fast food every day. To Harris, the findings amounted to a serious health crisis for kids and teens... There is a lot of research showing that eating fast food is harmful..."
Round 03: Performance
1 MINUTE
Smooth & Expression:
"Despite such warnings, fast food continues to be popular among kids. In 2008, Yale University completed a study to highlight the impact of fast-food advertising on children and young people. The team, led by Jennifer Harris, spent a year studying..."
Deep Dive Analysis Teacher Guide Deep Dive Analysis
Fluency Intervention | Lesson 2 of 2
Duration
25 Minutes
Learning Objectives
Review and apply knowledge of prefixes re-, in-, and pro-.
Improve reading prosody (expression) and rate through repeated readings.
Analyze the impact of media advertising as described in the text.
Preparation
Return "Burger Battles" texts to students.
Prepare Lesson 2 Slide Deck.
Timer (1 minute).
Lesson Flow
5 MIN
Prefix Review: Word Detective
"Welcome back to the Lab. Let's see if you can still spot the codes."
Review meanings: re- (again/back), in- (in/into), pro- (forward).
Word Hunt: Students scan "Big Advertising" and "Where Are We Now?" for at least two words using these prefixes.
Focus: promote, increase, insulin, report, research.
15 MIN
Fluency Performance (3 Attempts)
Teacher Instructions:
Shift focus to the "Big Advertising" section to vary the passage.
Attempt 4 (Warm-up): 1-min read from "Big Advertising." Watch for the word "voluntary."
Attempt 5 (Prosody Focus): 1-min read. Strategy: "News Anchor Voice." Emphasize the data (e.g., "$5 billion," "19.7%").
Attempt 6 (Final Challenge): 1-min read. Compare with Attempt 1 (Lesson 1) for growth.
5 MIN
Media Lab Debrief
Position the discussion around the prefix words:
"How does advertising promote fast food? Why does the Yale report call this a crisis that needs an increased focus on health?"
Monitoring Growth
Automaticity: Observe if students are reading prefix-heavy words like "promote" or "increase" without hesitation. Fluid reading of these units signals morphological mastery.
Feedback: "I noticed you hit 'increase' and 'promote' flawlessly. Your speed is picking up because you're recognizing the codes in these big words."
Target Word Sample
...the impact of fast-food advertising...
Deep Dive Analysis Slides Deck Project: Media Lab
Analysis Phase
Morphological Mastery & Voice Control
SESSION_02 // V.1.1
The Prefix Codes
RE-
Again / Back
report / research
IN-
In / Into
impact / increase
PRO-
Forward
promote / produce
Detection Challenge
Scan the sections "Big Advertising" and "Where Are We Now?"
Find 2 words that use our codes. Circle them in your text.
PRO____ IN____ RE____
Mission: The Voice
Focus: Prosody.
Read like a News Anchor reporting an urgent story. Emphasize the data and the crisis.
Round 04: Warm-Up
1 MINUTE
Start at "Big Advertising":
"If eating a lot of fast food is bad for a person’s health, why were so many kids rushing off to McDonald’s, Burger King... The restaurants all had tasty, low-cost food, for sure. But Harris said that advertising also played a big role..."
Round 05: Anchor Voice
1 MINUTE
Emphasize the data:
"In 2006, 44 food and beverage companies spent $2.1 billion on marketing towards children and teens. According to the Yale report, 6 to 11-year-olds saw 3.5 ads each day. Most appeared on television..."
Round 06: Peak Performance
1 MINUTE
Total Fluency Mastery:
"Since 2008, fast-food advertising has continued to increase. In 2019, fast-food companies spent $5 billion on advertising. Many of these ads have been directed towards Black and Hispanic children..."
Lab Findings
How do companies use ads to promote unhealthy choices?
Why does the Yale report call this a crisis that needs a better response?
Final Debrief
Compare Round 1 vs. Round 6.
Accuracy
UP
Confidence
UP
Mission Complete
Media Lab: Burger Battles Intervention
Encryption Secure // Final Report Logged
