These lessons offer guidance and tips for using broadcast TV and video in the classroom. The same is not always true for reading and writing. Get students engaged in a topic or story with TV, then move into reading and writing activities.
TV provides background knowledge and a common experience.
Take advantage of the confidence that your students have in themselves as viewers to teach them reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Let's say you give your class half an hour to read a short story to themselves in class. Of course it is okay for people to understand things on different levels, but for many activities, a common understanding is important. If you have your class watch a half-hour video together, chances are you will all be pretty much on the same page. But watching half an hour of TV is easy for everyone.