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Can You Spot the Digital Deception?

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Lesson Plan

Digital Deception Detectives Guide

Students will be able to identify misleading information online and apply strategies to evaluate the trustworthiness of digital content.

In today's digital world, it's crucial for students to develop strong media literacy skills to navigate online information safely and responsibly. This lesson equips them with the tools to discern fact from fiction, protecting them from harmful or incorrect content.

Audience

4th Grade Class

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Interactive activities and discussions will help students practice critical evaluation.

Materials

Digital Deception Detectives Guide (lesson-plan), Spotting the Sneaky Stuff, Fact or Fiction Funhouse, My Trusty Source Checklist, and What Do We Trust Online?

Prep

Review Materials

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up: Digital Dilemmas (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Begin with a quick discussion using prompts from the What Do We Trust Online? discussion guide to activate prior knowledge about online information.
    * Introduce the concept of digital deception and why it's important to be a 'Digital Deception Detective'.

Step 2

Mini-Lesson: Spotting the Sneaky Stuff (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Present the Spotting the Sneaky Stuff slide deck, focusing on key indicators of unreliable information (e.g., sensational headlines, blurry images, lack of author/source).
    * Engage students with examples and ask guiding questions to encourage critical thinking.

Step 3

Activity: Fact or Fiction Funhouse (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Fact or Fiction Funhouse activity.
    * Students work individually or in small groups to identify deceptive content using the strategies learned.
    * Circulate to provide support and facilitate discussions.

Step 4

Wrap-Up & Reflection: My Trusty Source Checklist (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Introduce the My Trusty Source Checklist worksheet.
    * Guide students through filling out the checklist, reinforcing key concepts of source evaluation.
    * Conclude with a brief class discussion about one thing they learned and how they can apply it online.
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Slide Deck

Welcome, Digital Detectives!

Are you ready to become a super-sleuth of the internet?
Today, we're learning how to spot sneaky tricks online!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of digital deception. Ask them if they've ever seen something online that didn't seem quite right. Introduce the idea of being a 'Digital Deception Detective'.

What is Digital Deception?

It's like a trick or a puzzle online!
Sometimes, what we see isn't always what it seems.
It can be sneaky pictures, tricky words, or even fake news.

Explain what digital deception means in simple terms. Give examples like misleading ads or exaggerated headlines. Emphasize that not everything you see online is true.

Clue #1: Crazy Headlines!

Do headlines ever try to trick you?
Look out for words like

Introduce the first clue: sensational headlines. Discuss how they try to grab attention and often exaggerate. Show examples of a normal headline versus a sensational one.

Clue #2: Weird Pictures!

Sometimes, pictures can be a clue.
Are they blurry? Do they look fake?
Good sources usually have clear, real pictures.

Discuss how blurry, pixelated, or oddly cropped images can be a sign of deception. Explain that clear, professional images are usually found on trustworthy sites.

Clue #3: Missing Names and Places!

Who wrote it? Where did it come from?
If you can't find an author or where the information came from, be a detective and question it!

Explain the importance of checking who wrote the information and where it came from. Emphasize that reliable sources usually have clear authors and website information.

Be a Digital Detective!

Remember our clues:
1. Crazy Headlines
2. Weird Pictures
3. Missing Names and Places
Now, let's play in the Fact or Fiction Funhouse!

Summarize the clues and reiterate that being a digital detective helps them stay safe online. Introduce the 'Fact or Fiction Funhouse' activity.

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Activity

Fact or Fiction Funhouse: Are You a Digital Detective?

Instructions: Read each scenario below. As a Digital Deception Detective, decide if the information is likely Fact (true) or Fiction (false). Circle your answer and explain why you think it's fact or fiction using the clues we learned!

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## Scenario 1: The Giant Talking Dog!

You see a post online that says, "Amazing! Scientists discover a dog that can talk and sing opera! Click here to see the video!" The picture shows a very blurry dog with a microphone. There's no name of the scientist or the place where this happened.

Fact or Fiction? (Circle one)     Fact     Fiction

Why?













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## Scenario 2: Super Speedy Sneakers!

An advertisement pops up for "Super Speedy Sneakers" that promise to make you run faster than a cheetah! The ad has a clear picture of a cool-looking shoe and says, "Designed by Olympic runners at 'Speedy Feet Inc.". You can see their website link at the bottom of the ad.

Fact or Fiction? (Circle one)     Fact     Fiction

Why?













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## Scenario 3: The Moon is Made of Cheese!

Your friend shares a funny article from a website called "Totally Not Real News" that has a picture of the moon looking like a big block of cheddar. The headline says, "Breaking News: Astronauts Confirm Moon is Delicious!"

Fact or Fiction? (Circle one)     Fact     Fiction

Why?













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## Scenario 4: School Lunch Menu Update

You see an announcement on your school's official website about next week's lunch menu. It clearly lists the dates and the meals, and it's signed by the School Cafeteria Manager. The pictures of the food are clear and look like real school lunches.

Fact or Fiction? (Circle one)     Fact     Fiction

Why?













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Worksheet

My Trusty Source Checklist: Be a Smart Surfer!

Instructions: When you see something online, use this checklist to decide if it's a trusty source or if you need to be a digital detective and investigate more! Put a checkmark (✓) next to each question you can answer "Yes" to. The more checks, the more trusty the source!

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## The Checklist

1. Does the headline sound too crazy to be true?
(e.g., "Aliens Adopt My Neighbor!")
✓ Yes (This might be a red flag!)


2. Are the pictures clear and look real, not blurry or fake?


3. Can I easily find who wrote this information? Is there an author or a clear organization?


4. Does the website look professional and well-organized?
(e.g., no flashing ads everywhere or strange spelling mistakes)


5. Does the information make sense with what I already know or what my teacher/parents have told me?


6. Can I find this same information on other trusty websites or from other trusted people?


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## My Detective Notes:

Think about something you saw online recently. Use your checklist! Was it trusty? Why or why not?















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Discussion

What Do We Trust Online? A Class Discussion

Instructions: Let's talk about what we see online! Your teacher will ask some questions, and we'll share our ideas and experiences. Remember to listen to each other and respect everyone's thoughts.

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## Discussion Questions:

1. What are some things you like to look at or do online? (e.g., watch videos, play games, learn new things)





2. Have you ever seen something online that made you wonder if it was real or fake? What was it?





3. Who are some people or websites that you always trust when you get information online? Why do you trust them?





4. What might happen if we believe something online that isn't true?





5. How can we be careful and smart when we are looking at things on the internet?





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## Our Class Agreements for Online Trust:

(As a class, we can write down some ideas we agree on about being smart online!)

*

*

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