Rework, Reuse, Remix
Rework, Reuse, Remix
UNIT 3
Estimated time: 45 minutes
Standards Alignment
Lesson Overview
Students explore the concept of fair use, apply it to case studies, and
create an original work of fair use.
Students learn how to judge whether something is protected by fair use
by using the Four Points of Fair Use Student Handout. They
apply the four points of fair use to two case studies, a remixed video and
a mash-up song, to judge whether or not they fall under fair use.
Students then create an original work of fair use by reworking
copyrighted material to create a collage or a remix video.
Common Core:
grade 6: RI.2, RI.3, RI.7, RI.8,
RI.10, W.6, SL.1a, SL.1b, SL.1c,
SL.1d, SL.2, SL.5, SL.6, L.6
Learning Objectives
Key Vocabulary
judge whether or not the two case studies can be called fair use.
Internet access to show public domain and fair use case studies to the
class
reporting, criticizing or
comedy/parody)
Copy the Four Points of Fair Use Student Handout, one for
each student.
Preview the case study video options in Teach 2 and prepare to
show one of them to students.
Family Resources
Send home the Respecting Creative Work Family Tip Sheet
(Middle & High School).
2012 www.commonsense.org
introduction
Warm-up (10 minutes)
DEFINE the Key Vocabulary terms as a class.
EXPLAIN to students that there are only two ways they can use copyrighted work without permission: (1) public
domain, and (2) fair use.
SHOW students examples of public domain works:
Project Gutenberg is a collection of free e-books (electronic books) that are in the public domain.
Visit www.gutenberg.org/catalog for a list.
The Commons on Flickr is an archive of photos in the public domain.
Visit www.flickr.com/commons to explore.
ASK:
If you wanted to use any of these works
in the public domain, what could you do
with them?
teach 1
Learn About Public Domain and Fair Use (15 minutes)
DIVIDE students into discussion groups of four to six.
DISTRIBUTE the Four Points of Fair Use Student Handout. Students can refer to this handout
throughout the lesson.
DISCUSS the definition of fair use in the Four Points of Fair Use Student Handout. Have students take
turns reading aloud the directions and the definition of fair use. Explain to students that the four points help
them judge whether something can qualify as fair use, as long as it falls into one of the situations listed inside the
diamond.
Note: The term fair use means exactly what it says. It is a fair use of a copyrighted work without getting
permission from the creator. It allows you to use copyrighted work without permission or paying a license fee
in certain situations.
HAVE students look at the center of the diamond on the Four Points of Fair Use Student Handout.
EXPLAIN that fair use can be applied in only these four specific situations.
ASK:
What are some examples of schoolwork
and education?
2012 www.commonsense.org
HAVE students examine at the four points of the diamond. Explain that fair use can be used in these certain
ways. Ask students to add their own examples.
Use a small amount
(not the whole thing)
For example:
Using a little bit of a song in a mash-up, not the whole song
For example:
Remixing clips from different movies to tell a whole
new story
For example:
Using a copyrighted photo image as the basis for a painting
For example:
Using a clip from a song in a student public service
announcement about recycling (nonprofit use)
Creating a remix video DVD and selling it on the Internet
(for-profit use)
EXPLAIN to students that if they use a copyrighted image, video, piece of writing, etc. without reworking it
enough to have new meaning and make it original, they could be breaking copyright law.
2012 www.commonsense.org
POINT OUT that the four points of fair use are just guidelines and not rules. People need to think critically,
and proceed on a case-by-case basis, to decide whether or not something is fair use. Also point out that even if
something is fair use, it is always a good idea to give credit to the creator of the work you used.
teach 2
Judge the Fair Use of Case Studies (10 minutes)
KEEP students in their groups.
TELL students they will view examples of a video and a song in which the creator has reworked copyrighted
material. They will then have to judge whether or not the new work is fair use.
SHOW students one or both of the case studies below.
HAVE student groups discuss whether or not they believe the case study is fair use, referring to their Four
Points of Fair Use Student Handout. Have a representative from each group share their groups final
answers with the class.
Note: There are no right or wrong answers to each case study. These examples are meant to spark discussion.
Students should support their decisions with sound reasons, drawing from the four points of fair use.
case study 1
Scary Mary
SHOW students the video Scary Mary (www.scarykidsgames.com/scary-mary/scary-mary-video.html).
Scary Mary is a video remix of a fake film trailer. The creator, Chris Rule, reworked footage of the Disney film
Mary Poppins and combined it with scary music, sound effects, and words on the screen that make it look like a
horror film trailer. Note that Chris Rule acknowledged the copyrighted creative work he used at the end of the video.
ASK:
Do you think this video falls under fair use?
If so, why? If not, why not?
2012 www.commonsense.org
case study 2
Note: This case study features a variety of clips from different artists music videos. We recommend that you
review this video in its entirety before showing it to students. If you are only comfortable sharing the first part
of the video, feel free to do so.
SHOW students the video United State of Pop 2012 (Shine Brighter) (www.youtube.com/watch?v=6q0dsG8fT
HY&feature=youtube). DJ Earworm is a mash-up artist. He is known for his United State of Pop mash-ups in
which he gives tribute to the top songs of the year. He creates both audio and video mash-ups. In his United
State of Pop (Shine Brighter) mash-up from 2012, he used clips from 25 different songs, including Wide
Awake, by Katy Perry and What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction. On his website DJ Earworm says,
Basically, what I do is take a bunch of songs apart and put them back together again in a different way. I end up
with tracks called mash-ups, which I post to this website. He also says that he doesnt make money from his
mash-ups because he doesnt sell them, and theyre free to download from his website. But he does get credit, and
sometimes earns payment, for his songs through top ratings on YouTube, airplay on the radio, and when hes
featured on the Billboard music charts (which lists the top songs in the country).
ASK:
Do you think this video falls under fair use?
If so, why? If not, why not?
teach 3
Make It Fair Use! (10 minutes)
TELL students to apply what theyve learned by making a creative work using copyrighted materials that can be
called fair use. Have students refer to their Four Points of Fair Use Student Handout for guidance. Follow
the instructions for either the low-tech or high-tech option. Note that both options could extend the amount of
time needed for the lesson. This step can be made into a homework assignment.
Option 1: Low Tech Fair Use Collage
Have students cut out (copyrighted) images from magazines. Using glue and construction paper, have students
mix images together into a collage. They should rework and change the images to create a new, original work that
can be called fair use. Have students tape their collages on the classroom walls and have everyone look at the work.
Students can examine how well each collage fits the key points of fair use. Then they can vote for the best fair use
collage in class.
REWORK, REUSE, REMIX / LESSON PLAN
DIGITAL LITERACY AND CITIZENSHIP IN A CONNECTED CULTURE
2012 www.commonsense.org
closing
Wrap-up (5 minutes)
You can use these questions to assess your students understanding of the lesson objectives. You may want to ask
students to reflect in writing on one of the questions, using a journal or an online blog/wiki.
ASK:
What does it mean when we rework
copyrighted material?
Extension Activity
Have students explore Creative Commons by being a Copyright Detective. Distribute copies of the Copyright
Detectives Student Handout to all students. Refer to the Copyright Detectives Student Handout
Teacher Version for guidance. For this activity, show the video Whose Is It, Anyway? (www.
commonsensemedia.org/video/educators/student-videos). Hit pause at the very end of the video, when the
Creative Commons license appears. Have students complete the worksheet and share their answers.
At-Home Activity
Have students show their collage or video remix to family members. Students then explain fair use to family
members, showing how they reworked copyrighted material in order to make something new and original.
2012 www.commonsense.org
Schoolwork
and education
News reporting
Add new meaning
and make it original
Criticizing
or commenting
2012 www.commonsense.org
ASSESSMENT
2. Weird Al is an artist who takes popular songs and changes their lyrics to be funny.
Weird Al creates ____________________.
a) parodies
b) mash-ups
c) commercials
as fair use?
a) Because TV shows arent copyrighted
b) Because Rubys video criticizes, or comments on, reality TV shows
c) Because Rubys video is a parody
2012 www.commonsense.org
ASSESSMENT
TEACHER VERSION
1. Fair use allows you to use copyrighted work without permission or payment, but
only in certain situations. Which of the following is NOT a fair use situation?
a) Chelsea uses a copyrighted photo for a school presentation
b) A journalist shows a copyrighted video clip in a news report
c) Jordan remixes a copyrighted song and charges people for it
Answer feedback
The correct answer is c. Jordan is trying to make money off someone elses copyrighted work. Thats
not fair use.
2. Weird Al is an artist who takes popular songs and changes their lyrics to be funny.
Weird Al creates ____________________.
a) parodies
b) mash-ups
c) commercials
Answer feedback
The correct answer is a. A parody imitates an original work in order to be funny or poke fun at it.
as fair use?
a) Because TV shows arent copyrighted
b) Because Rubys video criticizes, or comments on, reality TV shows
c) Because Rubys video is a parody
Answer feedback
The correct answer is b. If you rework copyrighted material in order to critique, or make a
statement, about it, then your project counts as fair use.
2012 www.commonsense.org