Behind the Screen - ESL Unit (Digital Literacy)

Behind the Screen is a complete, engaging Grade 5 ESL unit that introduces students to the world of social media influencers while developing essential English language skills and media literacy.

Using a topic students already know and care about, this unit guides learners to explore how influencers influence audiences and how to think critically about online content. Students participate in structured discussions, gallery walks with real influencer profiles, reading comprehension activities, critical thinking tasks, and oral interactions.

The unit is carefully scaffolded for English language learners and places a strong emphasis on oral interaction, while also integrating reading and writing. Students conclude the unit by creating an influencer-style oral presentation describing a “day in their life,” followed by a short written task, allowing them to practice the simple present and daily routines in a meaningful context.

This resource is ideal for teachers looking for a modern, relevant, and student-centered ESL unit that combines language learning with digital citizenship and critical thinking.

Skills & Learning Focus

• Oral interaction and communication in English

• Reading comprehension of informational texts

• Writing short opinion and planning texts

• Media literacy and critical thinking

• Use of the simple present (daily routines)

What’s Included

✔ Detailed multi-period unit plan
✔ Real influencer profiles for gallery walk
✔ Discovery and reflection worksheets
✔ Reading texts with comprehension & critical thinking questions
✔ Oral presentation task and peer checklist
✔ Writing task with support and sentence starters