Digital Citizen Launch

Abigail Dudley

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Digital Citizen Launch

Students will launch their lifelong digital portfolio by creating a Google Site and define what citizenry means in their school and community, setting the stage for ongoing civic learning.

Establishes a personal digital space for tracking growth and fosters early understanding of citizen roles, empowering students to see themselves as active members of their community.

Audience

5th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Hands-on site creation paired with guided discussion.

Materials

Student Devices with Internet Access, Google Sites Tutorial Guide, Introduction to Citizenry Slide Deck, and Projector or Interactive Whiteboard

Prep

Teacher Setup

15 minutes

Ensure all students have active Google accounts and devices are connected to the internet
Preview the Introduction to Citizenry Slide Deck and note discussion prompts
Review the Google Sites Tutorial Guide to anticipate student questions
Test the projector or interactive whiteboard for slide display

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

Display the first slides from the Introduction to Citizenry Slide Deck
Ask: “What does it mean to be a citizen of our school?”
Prompt students to share examples of how they help or participate in our school community
Record key ideas on the board

Step 2

Google Site Launch

20 minutes

Share steps from the Google Sites Tutorial Guide
Guide students to go to sites.google.com and start a new site
Instruct them to name their site “My Citizen Portfolio” and add a Homepage with:
- A title
- A brief introduction of themselves
- Their definition of “citizenry” in school
Circulate to support layout choices and troubleshoot login issues
Encourage students to explore themes and add page sections

Step 3

Reflection & Close

5 minutes

Have students take a screenshot of their homepage and share one new thing they learned today
Remind them this site will grow over 3 years as they add projects, reflections, and community partnerships
Preview that next session they’ll explore local civic systems and add a “Community Map” page

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Slide Deck

What Is a Citizen?

Think about the people who make our school community special.

What actions or qualities make someone a valuable citizen?

Welcome students to the lesson. Ask: “What actions or qualities make someone a good citizen of our school?” Invite 2–3 volunteers to share before moving on.

Defining Citizenry

Citizenry means being an active member of a community by taking responsibility, helping others, and working to make positive changes.

Introduce the term “citizenry.” Read the definition aloud and check for understanding. Clarify any unfamiliar words.

Citizenry in Action

In our school community, being a citizen can look like:

Helping classmates with schoolwork
Recycling and keeping spaces clean
Joining a club or team
Speaking up respectfully when you see a problem

Share these examples, then prompt students to name one more way they’ve seen someone act as a citizen at school.

Your Citizen Portfolio

Today you’ll launch your lifelong digital portfolio by creating a Google Site called "My Citizen Portfolio."
On your Homepage you will:
• Add a title with your name
• Write your personal definition of citizenry
• Provide one example of how you’ve been a citizen at school

Explain today’s hands-on activity. Demonstrate briefly how to start a new Google Site. Emphasize the title “My Citizen Portfolio.”

Next Steps

Go to sites.google.com and click “Create new site.”
Name it “My Citizen Portfolio.”
Build your Homepage with the three required sections.

In our next lesson, we’ll explore local community systems and add a “Community Map” page to your portfolio.

Review each step slowly and pause for questions. Remind students this site will grow over the next three years.

Reading

Google Sites Tutorial Guide

This guide will walk you through creating your very own Google Site for your “My Citizen Portfolio.” Follow each step carefully. If you get stuck, use the Tips & Troubleshooting section at the end.

Getting Started

Before you begin:

Make sure you’re signed into your Google account on your device.
Open a web browser and check your internet connection.
Have your ideas ready: site title, a brief introduction of yourself, and your personal definition of citizenry.

Step 1: Access Google Sites

In your browser’s address bar, type sites.google.com and press Enter.
You should see the Google Sites home page with a list of any sites you’ve created (if any), and a + button labeled “Create New Site.”

Click the + button to start a new site.

Step 2: Name Your Site

In the top-left corner, click where it says Untitled site.
Type My Citizen Portfolio and press Enter.
Hover over the site title in the header area, click to edit, and add your own name after the title if you’d like (for example, My Citizen Portfolio – Alex).

Step 3: Build Your Homepage

Your Homepage will have three main parts:

Your Title
- Click the header section and type your name.
Introduction
- Below the title, click Click to add text and write 1–2 sentences about yourself (e.g., your hobbies or favorite subject).
Definition of Citizenry
- Add a new text box by clicking the Text box button () on the right toolbar.
- Type your personal definition of citizenry in school (for example, “Citizenry means helping others and taking responsibility in our community”).

Step 4: Customize Your Design

Themes: On the right panel, click Themes to choose a look that reflects you.
Layouts: Click Layouts to add images or section headers.
Background Image: Hover over the header, click Change image, and select a photo or color that fits your style.

Tip: Keep your design simple so your writing stands out!

Step 5: Add Additional Sections (Optional)

If you finish early, consider adding:

Image Section: Show a photo of you helping in your community.
Embed Section: Insert a link to a short video you made or a map of your school.

Use the Insert menu on the right to explore more options.

Step 6: Preview and Publish

Click the Preview button (the eye icon) at the top to see how your site looks on different devices.
When you’re happy, click Publish in the top-right corner.
Choose a unique web address or accept the suggested one.
Click Publish again to make your site live.

Tips & Troubleshooting

• Page Not Loading?

Refresh the browser or check your internet connection.

• Can’t Find a Button?

Make sure you’re in Editing mode, not Preview mode.

• Text Box Not Appearing?

Click the Text box icon in the right toolbar, then click where you want it on your page.

• Need More Help?

Ask a classmate or your teacher for support.
Review your steps slowly, one at a time.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully created the foundation of your digital portfolio. Remember, this site will grow with you as you learn more about citizenry and community systems over the next three years.

Cool Down

Citizen Reflection Exit Ticket

What is one new thing you learned about being a citizen of our school today?
What part of your “My Citizen Portfolio” homepage are you most proud of or excited about? Explain why.
What is one question you still have about citizenry or our next steps in this class?

Lesson Plan

School Systems Explorer

Students will explore and identify the different systems that operate within their school community and create a visual map to represent how these systems interconnect and support student life.

Helps students understand the structure and processes that keep their school running, fostering deeper civic awareness and preparation for future community engagement.

Audience

5th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided exploration and collaborative mapping.

Materials

Student Devices or Chart Paper, School Systems Map Template, Markers or Colored Pencils, and Projector or Interactive Whiteboard

Prep

Teacher Prep

10 minutes

Review the layout of school systems (e.g., administration, library, cafeteria, sports, clubs).
Print or project the School Systems Map Template.
Arrange students in small groups and provide chart paper or devices.
Preview key discussion questions about each system’s purpose and key players.

Step 1

Introduction & Brainstorm

5 minutes

Remind students of their “My Citizen Portfolio” and the upcoming “Community Map” page.
Ask: “What systems help our school run smoothly?”
Prompt volunteers to name systems (e.g., bus routes, lunch service, library, clubs).
Record their ideas on the board.

Step 2

Group System Investigation

15 minutes

Divide students into small groups, assigning each a different school system to explore.
Provide devices or printed materials for research: what services does this system provide, who runs it, when and where it operates?
Ask groups to note key functions, roles, and how this system connects to daily student life.

Step 3

Mapping Activity

8 minutes

Distribute the School Systems Map Template.
In their groups, students sketch their assigned system on the template, labeling components (people, places, processes) and using arrows to show connections to other systems.
Encourage use of different colors or symbols to represent distinct parts of the system.

Step 4

Gallery Walk & Reflection

2 minutes

Groups post their completed maps around the room.
Students walk around, review peers’ maps, and write one new insight on a sticky note.
Collect notes for a brief debrief at the start of the next lesson.

Worksheet

School Systems Map Template

Use this graphic organizer to explore and map a school system. Identify its parts, roles, and connections.

System Name: ____________________________________________
Key People Involved (roles or job titles):

Key Places or Locations (rooms, buildings, areas):

Main Processes or Services Provided:

Draw Your System Map Below

• In the center, write the system name.
• Around it, draw and label the people, places, and processes.
• Use arrows to show how each part connects or depends on another.