Lesson Plan
Click Smart Lesson Plan
Students will learn to recognize safe online behaviors, understand basic privacy principles, and practice respectful digital communication through scenario analysis and personal reflection.
Building strong digital citizenship early helps students navigate online spaces responsibly, protecting their privacy and promoting kindness to prevent risks like oversharing and cyberbullying.
Audience
4th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive scenarios and guided reflection
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and laminate Digital Citizenship Intro Poster for display
- Print and cut apart sets of Online Safety Scenario Cards for each small group
- Make enough copies of the Respectful Communication Reflection Worksheet for each student
- Review all materials and become familiar with scenario answers and key discussion points
Step 1
Introduction to Digital Citizenship
5 minutes
- Display the Digital Citizenship Intro Poster at the front of the room
- Ask students to share what they think "digital citizenship" means and list their ideas on the board
- Highlight and define the key concepts: safe, responsible, and respectful online behaviors
- Explain that today they will explore these ideas through activities and reflections
Step 2
Scenario Sorting Activity
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups of 3–4
- Distribute one set of Online Safety Scenario Cards to each group
- Instruct groups to read each card aloud and sort scenarios into “Safe” and “Unsafe” piles
- Encourage groups to discuss their reasoning and select one scenario from each pile to share with the class
- Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion of selected examples
Step 3
Mini-Lesson on Respectful Communication
5 minutes
- Ask: “Why is respectful communication important online?” Record student responses
- Present examples of respectful vs. disrespectful messages (from scenarios or teacher-created)
- Emphasize tone, word choice, and empathy when communicating digitally
- Connect this back to staying safe and building a positive online community
Step 4
Reflection and Wrap-Up
10 minutes
- Hand out the Respectful Communication Reflection Worksheet
- Prompt students to recall one scenario (safe or unsafe) and write how they would respond responsibly and respectfully
- Invite a few volunteers to share their reflections
- Summarize the lesson’s key takeaways: safety, privacy, respect online
- Encourage students to practice these skills every time they go online
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Slide Deck
Click Smart: Digital Citizenship
Grade: 4th • Time: 30 minutes
Let’s explore what it means to be a good digital citizen!
Welcome students! Introduce yourself and explain that today’s lesson is called “Click Smart.” We will learn how to be safe, responsible, and respectful online.
What Is Digital Citizenship?
A digital citizen uses technology in three key ways:
- Be Safe: Protect your information and privacy online.
- Be Responsible: Make smart choices and think before you click.
- Be Respectful: Treat others with kindness and empathy.
Display the Digital Citizenship Intro Poster (#digital-citizenship-intro-poster). Ask students: What does each word—safe, responsible, respectful—mean when we’re online? Jot their ideas on the board.
Scenario Sorting Activity
- Form groups of 3–4 students.
- Read each Online Safety Scenario Card.
- Sort cards into “Safe” and “Unsafe” piles.
- Choose one safe and one unsafe scenario to share with the class.
Divide students into groups of 3–4. Give each group a set of Online Safety Scenario Cards (#online-safety-scenario-cards). Let them sort scenarios into “Safe” and “Unsafe.” Circulate and prompt discussion.
Respectful Communication
Why does tone and word choice matter online?
Example – Respectful:
“Thank you for your idea! I like it because…”
Example – Disrespectful:
“Your idea is stupid. I don’t care.”
After the scenario sharing, ask: Why is respectful communication important? Highlight tone and word choice. Show students the Respectful Communication Reflection Worksheet to preview.
Your Reflection
- Think of one scenario from your sorting activity.
- Write how you would respond in a safe and respectful way.
- Be ready to share your reflection.
Hand out the Respectful Communication Reflection Worksheet (#respectful-communication-reflection-worksheet). Remind students to pick one scenario they discussed and write how they would respond safely and respectfully.
Key Takeaways
- Protect your privacy by keeping personal information private.
- Think before you click: make responsible choices.
- Communicate with kindness and respect online.
Be a Click Smart digital citizen every day!
Invite a few volunteers to share their reflections. Summarize the day’s lesson, reinforcing safety, responsibility, and respect. Encourage students to practice these skills every time they go online.
Reading
Digital Citizenship Intro Poster
🔒 Be Safe
- Keep personal details private (name, address, phone number)
- Use strong, secret passwords and never share them
- Ask a trusted adult before clicking on unknown links or downloading files
🤔 Be Responsible
- Think before you post: Is it true? Is it helpful?
- Follow classroom and website rules when you’re online
- Respect others’ work—ask permission before sharing or copying
🤝 Be Respectful
- Use kind words and emojis to show your feelings
- Treat others online the way you’d like to be treated
- Remember that words can hurt—choose messages that build others up
When You Log On, Ask Yourself:
Am I being… Safe? Responsible? Respectful?
Let’s all be Click Smart digital citizens every day!
Activity
Online Safety Scenario Cards
Cut these cards apart and give each small group a set. Each card describes a scenario. Discuss whether it’s Safe or Unsafe, then sort accordingly.
1. Emma shares her full birthday and pet’s name on a public forum.
– Hint: Personal details can help someone guess passwords or find you.
2. Alex creates a strong password and keeps it secret.
– Hint: Strong, private passwords protect your accounts.
3. Jordan clicks a link in an email from someone they don’t know without asking an adult.
– Hint: Unknown links can install viruses or steal info.
4. Mia leaves positive, kind comments on her classmates’ blog posts.
– Hint: Encouraging others builds a positive online community.
5. Ryan uses a fun nickname online and never shares his real last name.
– Hint: Limiting personal info helps keep you safe.
6. Lily agrees to meet up in person with someone she only met online without telling an adult.
– Hint: Meeting strangers in real life can be dangerous.
7. Noah sees a mean comment in a chat and reports it to the teacher.
– Hint: Reporting harmful content is a responsible choice.
8. Sophie copies her classmate’s photo from social media without permission and posts it.
– Hint: Sharing others’ images without consent can violate privacy and respect.
9. Ben shares his exact location (via map) while live streaming to everyone.
– Hint: Broadcasting location can put you at risk.
10. Zoe asks her friend for permission before sharing a selfie they took together.
– Hint: Always get consent before posting others’ images.
After sorting, choose one Safe and one Unsafe card to share with the whole class, explaining your reasoning.
Worksheet
Respectful Communication Reflection Worksheet
Use this worksheet to think about how to communicate safely and respectfully online. Choose one scenario you discussed during the Scenario Sorting Activity and complete the prompts below.
1. Scenario Description
Write a brief description of the scenario you chose (safe or unsafe).
2. Why Is It Safe or Unsafe?
Explain in your own words why this scenario is safe or why it could be unsafe online.
3. Your Respectful Response
Imagine you are in this situation. Write a respectful and responsible response or action you would take.
4. Tone and Word Choice
Rewrite your response above, focusing on tone, word choice, and empathy. Be sure your message builds others up and follows digital citizenship guidelines.
5. Your Top 3 Reminders for Respectful Communication
List three key reminders you can follow every time you communicate online to stay safe, responsible, and respectful.
Remember: When you log on, ask yourself—Am I being safe? Responsible? Respectful?
Review the Digital Citizenship Intro Poster if you need a reminder of the key ideas.