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Digital Citizen Superheroes!

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Lesson Plan

Digital Citizen Superpowers! Lesson Plan

Students will understand the importance of digital citizenship, recognize the healthy balance of screen time, identify harmful effects of excessive online communication, and learn how to respond to online disrespect.

In an increasingly digital world, it's crucial for students to develop safe, responsible, and respectful online habits. This lesson helps them navigate the internet positively and protect themselves from potential harm.

Audience

4th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, practical tips, and a reflective activity.

Materials

Smartboard or projector, Digital Citizen Superpowers! Slide Deck, Digital Citizen Superheroes Activity, and My Digital Citizen Pledge Cool Down

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What's Your Digital Life?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "What are some things you love to do online?" Allow a few students to share.
    - Introduce the concept of digital citizenship: "Just like we have rules and ways to be good citizens in our community, we also need to be good digital citizens when we're online!"

Step 2

Slide Deck & Discussion: Super Digital Habits

10 minutes

  • Present the Digital Citizen Superpowers! Slide Deck.
    - Slide 1: Title Slide - "Welcome to Digital Citizen Superpowers!"
    - Slide 2: What is Digital Citizenship? - Discuss being safe, responsible, and respectful online.
    - Slide 3: Screen Time: Good or Not So Good? - Talk about the benefits (learning, connecting) and drawbacks (eye strain, less active play) of screen time.
    - Slide 4: Healthy Tech Breaks! - Emphasize taking breaks, setting timers, and doing other activities. Ask: "What are some fun things you can do instead of looking at a screen?"
    - Slide 5: Too Much Online Talk? - Discuss effects of excessive gaming, texting, and social media (missing out on real-life fun, arguments, feeling left out).
    - Slide 6: Spotting Online Disrespect - Define disrespect (mean comments, excluding others, spreading rumors). Ask: "What does it feel like when someone is disrespectful online?"
    - Slide 7: Your Superhero Move: What to Do? - Introduce the

Step 3

Activity: Digital Citizen Superheroes!

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Digital Citizen Superheroes Activity worksheet.
    - Explain that students will think about scenarios where a digital citizen needs to use their superpowers (like kindness, responsibility, knowing when to ask for help).
    - Students will draw or write about how a digital citizen superhero would handle the situation.
    - Circulate and provide support as students work.

Step 4

Cool-Down: My Digital Citizen Pledge

5 minutes

  • Collect the activity sheets.
    - Distribute the My Digital Citizen Pledge Cool Down.
    - Ask students to complete the pledge, committing to one way they will be a good digital citizen.
    - Conclude by reiterating the importance of their digital citizen superpowers.
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Slide Deck

Digital Citizen Superpowers!

Being awesome online!

Greet students and start with an engaging question about what they love to do online. This helps connect to their experiences.

What is Digital Citizenship?

It's about being a good citizen... but online!

  • Safe: Protecting yourself and your information.
  • Responsible: Thinking before you click or post.
  • Respectful: Being kind to others online.

Explain that just like real life, the internet has rules and ways to be a good person. Emphasize being safe, responsible, and respectful.

Screen Time: Fun or Frazzled?

Screens can be great for learning and connecting!

But too much can make our bodies and brains feel tired.

  • Tired eyes
  • Less time for play
  • Trouble sleeping

Discuss the good things about screen time (learning, connecting with friends/family) and the not-so-good things (tired eyes, less time for playing outside). Ask students to share examples.

💪 Healthy Tech Breaks!

Give your eyes and brain a rest!

  • Set a timer.
  • Go outside and play.
  • Read a book.
  • Draw or create something.
  • Help around the house.

Introduce the idea of 'tech breaks.' Suggest setting timers or having a grown-up help them take breaks. Ask for ideas of non-screen activities.

Is Online Talk Too Much Talk?

Gaming, texting, social media...

Too much can mean:

  • Missing out on real-life fun with friends and family.
  • Arguments or misunderstandings.
  • Feeling left out if you see others online without you.

Talk about the impact of constant online communication. Use examples relevant to 4th graders like missing out on family time, playground games, or real-life conversations.

Spotting Online Disrespect

Someone is being disrespectful online if they are:

  • Saying mean things in comments or messages.
  • Excluding someone from an online game or chat.
  • Spreading rumors or lies about someone.
  • Sharing embarrassing pictures or videos without permission.

Define online disrespect using simple terms. Give examples like mean comments or excluding someone from an online game. Ask students how this might make someone feel.

Your Superhero Move: What To Do?

If someone is being disrespectful online, remember your superhero moves:

  • STOP: Don't respond or get into an argument.
  • BLOCK: Block the person who is being disrespectful.
  • TELL: Talk to a trusted adult (parent, teacher, counselor). They can help!

Introduce the 'STOP, BLOCK, TELL' strategy. Emphasize that it's important to talk to a trusted adult.

Be a Digital Citizen Superhero!

You have the power to make the internet a kind and safe place for everyone! Keep using your superpowers!

End with a positive reinforcement of their role as digital citizens.

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Activity

Digital Citizen Superheroes Activity!

Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________

Just like superheroes have special powers, you have digital citizen superpowers! Read each scenario below. In the box, draw or write about how a Digital Citizen Superhero would use their powers to handle the situation.

Scenario 1: Screen Time Struggle

Your friend has been playing video games for three hours straight and says their eyes hurt. They don't want to stop playing.

Your Digital Citizen Superpower: Healthy Habits and Self-Care

What would a Digital Citizen Superhero do?











Scenario 2: Mean Message Mystery

You see a comment on a classmate's online post that says, "Your drawing is terrible!" and you know it made your classmate feel sad.

Your Digital Citizen Superpower: Kindness and Respect

What would a Digital Citizen Superhero do?











Scenario 3: Too Much Chat!

You and your friends are constantly texting each other, even during dinner and when you're supposed to be playing outside. You feel like you're missing out on other fun things.

Your Digital Citizen Superpower: Balance and Real-World Connection

What would a Digital Citizen Superhero do?











Scenario 4: Online Exclusion

You are in an online game with some friends, and one friend starts telling another, "You can't play with us anymore because you're not good enough."

Your Digital Citizen Superpower: Empathy and Standing Up for Others

What would a Digital Citizen Superhero do?











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Cool Down

My Digital Citizen Pledge

Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________

I am a Digital Citizen Superhero! I promise to use my powers to make the internet a safe, responsible, and respectful place.

Today, I learned about important ways to be a good digital citizen. One way I will show my digital citizen superpower is by:

I pledge to:












Why is this important to me?









My signature: _________________________ Date: _________________________

Teacher signature (optional): _________________________

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