Why Teach Coca-Cola in the Classroom?
By teaching the history of Coca-Cola advertising in the classroom, students will get a better understanding of how history as changed over time through visuals and audio. Using primary sources like advertisements can provide a snapshot of what history was like at that particular moment, and helps tell the story of history in the 20th century. Coke is a product that children today are very familiar with, and it can be a first connection for students who struggle with historical information. Making connections is one of the best ways students learn and retain information.
Also, studying the history advertisements like Coke can help reach across the curriculum to other subjects, like health. It may be common knowledge that Coca-Cola is excessive amounts is bad for your body, but a concept like this could help lead to discussions of why it is bad for your body. It can also lead to meaningful discussions and investigations to how marketers try to work around common conceptions. It can help students to become investigators of the ads they see everyday, and think critically about them.
And probably most importantly, studying advertisements like those created by Coca-Cola develops children's skills in visual literacy, especially through mediums like the Internet. Students today are asked to think even more critically than previous generations to be careful of what they see, read, and absorb through different media outlets. A study like this can help shape their opinions of products and the world. It can also help teach students research skills for finding advertisements, whether it is for Coca-Cola or another product.
Children absorb information about products from the parents to as early as preschool age. Coke in particular is0 known for being important parts of childhood memories for different reasons like social gatherings and connecting with parents and friends. A project like this could be another memory for children in regards to Coca-Cola, but it can be an educational memory as well.
Also, studying the history advertisements like Coke can help reach across the curriculum to other subjects, like health. It may be common knowledge that Coca-Cola is excessive amounts is bad for your body, but a concept like this could help lead to discussions of why it is bad for your body. It can also lead to meaningful discussions and investigations to how marketers try to work around common conceptions. It can help students to become investigators of the ads they see everyday, and think critically about them.
And probably most importantly, studying advertisements like those created by Coca-Cola develops children's skills in visual literacy, especially through mediums like the Internet. Students today are asked to think even more critically than previous generations to be careful of what they see, read, and absorb through different media outlets. A study like this can help shape their opinions of products and the world. It can also help teach students research skills for finding advertisements, whether it is for Coca-Cola or another product.
Children absorb information about products from the parents to as early as preschool age. Coke in particular is0 known for being important parts of childhood memories for different reasons like social gatherings and connecting with parents and friends. A project like this could be another memory for children in regards to Coca-Cola, but it can be an educational memory as well.
Relevant Virginia SOLs
Health 5.1: The student will analyze the impact of positive health behaviors and risky behaviors on personal health.
f) Identify the influence of marketing techniques on food and beverage choices
Computer/Technology 3-5.7: Plan and apply strategies for gathering information, using a variety of tools and sources, and reflect on alternate strategies that might lead to greater success in future products.
A. Collect information from a variety of sources (Conduct research using various types of text- and media-based information.
B. Apply best practices for searching digital resources. (Apply effective search strategies that will yield targeted information and Identify basic indicators that a digital source is likely to be reliable.
Can connect to any United States SOL in the 20th century, especially for using primary sources like pictures!
f) Identify the influence of marketing techniques on food and beverage choices
Computer/Technology 3-5.7: Plan and apply strategies for gathering information, using a variety of tools and sources, and reflect on alternate strategies that might lead to greater success in future products.
A. Collect information from a variety of sources (Conduct research using various types of text- and media-based information.
B. Apply best practices for searching digital resources. (Apply effective search strategies that will yield targeted information and Identify basic indicators that a digital source is likely to be reliable.
Can connect to any United States SOL in the 20th century, especially for using primary sources like pictures!
Possible Lesson Ideas!
- Have students conduct their own research on a time period during Coca-Cola's marketing history.
- Analyze a product of the child's choice and their marketing techniques (different visual mediums, content, persuasiveness, etc.)
- Create their own advertisement for Coca-Cola, based on an example that stood out to them