Publication Credibility

This worksheet helps students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 build media literacy, critical thinking, and research skills by evaluating different publication types that report on a solar eclipse. After reading an informational passage, learners compare an academic journal, a newspaper, a personal blog, and a social media post, analyzing how editorial standards, evidence, purpose, and audience affect the reliability of each source.

Learning Goals

• Publication Type Evaluation (Grades 6-8)
  Analyze how different types of publications influence accuracy and credibility.
• Media Literacy Skills
  Identify strengths and limitations of academic, journalistic, and informal sources.
• Evidence-Based Judgment
  Use clear reasoning and details to justify which sources are most or least reliable.
• Research Awareness
  Understand the role of editorial review, expertise, and audience in information quality.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource
  Designed by educators to support ELA, research, and media literacy standards.
• Real-World Application
  Prepares students to evaluate sources they encounter in school research and online reading.
• Clear Comparison Structure
  Guides students through ranking and explaining credibility differences.
• Flexible Classroom Use
  Suitable for independent work, partner discussion, homework, or assessment.
• Low-Prep Format
  Print-and-go worksheet for classroom or homeschool instruction.

This printable worksheet strengthens students’ ability to evaluate publication credibility and make informed judgments about information quality. By comparing how different sources present the same scientific event, learners gain essential skills for responsible research, critical reading, and thoughtful media consumption. It’s a practical, engaging resource for both classroom instruction and homeschool learning.

This worksheet is part of our credibility of sources worksheets collection.