Lesson Plan
Digital Citizenship Crew Lesson Plan
Students will develop crucial digital citizenship skills, including online safety, cyber etiquette, and responsible information sharing, to make thoughtful choices and advocate for a positive digital environment.
In today's interconnected world, responsible online behavior is essential for students' safety, well-being, and academic success. This lesson empowers students with the knowledge and skills to navigate digital spaces confidently and ethically.
Audience
5th-6th Grade
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, scenario analysis, and collaborative problem-solving.
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the Digital Citizenship Crew Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content and talking points.
- Read through the Online Responsibilities Discussion Guide to prepare for facilitating the class discussion.
- Understand the instructions and scenarios for the Digital Dilemmas Activity.
- Ensure access to a projector or interactive whiteboard for the slide deck. If unable to project, print slides or write key points on a whiteboard for students to see.
- Prepare any necessary writing materials or digital devices if students will be taking notes or responding digitally during the discussion or activity.
Step 1
Introduction: What's Your Digital Footprint?
10 minutes
- Begin with a quick Warm-Up to gauge students' current understanding of online presence.
- Use the first few slides of the Digital Citizenship Crew Slide Deck to introduce the concept of digital citizenship and its importance. Use the provided script to guide your introduction.
- Pose an engaging question to spark initial thought, such as: “What does it mean to be a good citizen in our town? How might that be similar or different when we’re online?”
Step 2
Exploring Online Responsibilities
15 minutes
- Transition to the core concepts of online safety, cyber etiquette, and responsible information sharing using the Digital Citizenship Crew Slide Deck.
- Facilitate a class discussion using the Online Responsibilities Discussion Guide. Encourage students to share their experiences and ask questions.
- Guide students to identify the benefits and potential risks of online interactions.
Step 3
Digital Dilemmas: Problem-Solving Scenarios
20 minutes
- Introduce the Digital Dilemmas Activity. Explain that students will work in small groups to analyze common online situations and propose responsible solutions.
- Divide students into small groups and distribute the activity materials.
- Circulate among groups, providing support and encouraging critical thinking as students work through the scenarios.
Step 4
Group Share & Reflection
10 minutes
- Bring the class back together for groups to share their solutions and reasoning from the Digital Dilemmas Activity.
- Facilitate a brief class discussion, comparing different approaches and reinforcing key digital citizenship principles.
- Use a Cool-Down activity to prompt individual reflection on what they've learned and how they plan to apply it.
Step 5
Conclusion: Becoming Digital Leaders
5 minutes
- Conclude the lesson by summarizing the main takeaways from the Digital Citizenship Crew Slide Deck.
- Emphasize the role students play in creating a positive and safe online community.
- Encourage students to be proactive digital citizens and to share their knowledge with others.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Welcome, Digital Citizens!
What does it mean to be a good citizen in our town? How might that be similar or different when we’re online?
Welcome students and introduce the topic of digital citizenship. Ask them what 'citizen' means in their community and bridge it to online spaces. Use the Digital Citizenship Crew Lesson Plan as a guide for your introduction and initial questions.
What is Digital Citizenship?
It means being a responsible, respectful, and safe user of the internet.
Why is this important for YOU?
Explain that being a digital citizen means being a responsible, respectful, and safe user of the internet. Highlight why this is important for everyone. Refer to the Digital Citizenship Crew Lesson Plan for key talking points.
Online Safety: Protect Your Privacy
What kind of information should you keep private online?
- Full Name
- Address
- Phone Number
- School Name
- Passwords
Who are you really talking to online? Think before you share!
Discuss online safety. Talk about private information (full name, address, phone number, school name, passwords) and stranger danger online. Emphasize that not everyone online is who they say they are. Connect this to the Online Responsibilities Discussion Guide.
Cyber Etiquette: Be Respectful Online
Just like in real life, manners matter online!
- Be kind and respectful in your comments and messages.
- Think before you post or share.
- Don’t say anything online that you wouldn’t say in person.
Introduce the concept of cyber etiquette, or 'netiquette.' Compare it to manners in real life. Discuss respectful communication, avoiding cyberbullying, and thinking before posting. This is a good lead-in for the Online Responsibilities Discussion Guide.
Responsible Sharing: Is It True? Is It Kind?
Sharing is caring, but online it's also about being smart!
- Is the information true? (Fact-check!)
- Is it appropriate? (Does it follow rules?)
- Is it kind? (Will it hurt anyone?)
- Did you get permission to share someone else’s photo/video?
Talk about responsible information sharing. This includes checking if information is true, asking permission before sharing photos or videos of others, and understanding copyright. Prepare students for the Digital Dilemmas Activity by highlighting the need to evaluate online information.
Your Turn: Digital Dilemmas!
Work in groups to solve real-life online challenges.
Think about:
- What's the problem?
- What digital citizenship rules apply?
- What's the best solution?
Set up the 'Digital Dilemmas' activity. Explain that students will work in groups to solve problems related to digital citizenship. Refer to the Digital Dilemmas Activity for specifics. Encourage teamwork and critical thinking.
Become a Digital Leader!
Your choices online make a difference.
Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible!
Spread positivity and help others be great digital citizens too!
Facilitate group sharing and discussion. Emphasize that everyone contributes to a positive online community. Conclude by reiterating the main points about being a safe, respectful, and responsible digital citizen. Use the Digital Citizenship Cool Down for final reflection.
Discussion
Online Responsibilities Discussion Guide
Introduction: Our Online World (5 minutes)
- Warm-Up Question: How many of you spend time online? What are some of your favorite things to do online?
- Connecting to Real Life: We talk about being a good citizen in our school and community. What does that usually mean? How might those ideas of being a good citizen also apply when we are online?
Section 1: Online Safety - Protecting Ourselves (10 minutes)
- Personal Information: What kind of information about yourself should you never share online? Why is it important to keep this information private? (e.g., full name, address, phone number, school, passwords)
- Stranger Danger Online: In real life, we learn not to talk to strangers. How does this apply online? What should you do if someone you don't know tries to talk to you or asks for personal information?
- Recognizing Red Flags: What are some signs that something online might not be safe or trustworthy?
Section 2: Cyber Etiquette - Being Respectful (10 minutes)
- Online Manners: What does it mean to have good manners when you're communicating online (like in games, chats, or comments)?
- The Golden Rule Online: We often say, "Treat others how you want to be treated." How can you apply this rule to your online interactions? What happens if people forget this rule online?
- Cyberbullying: What is cyberbullying? Why is it hurtful, and what should you do if you or someone you know experiences it?
Section 3: Responsible Sharing - Thinking Before We Post (10 minutes)
- The Internet Remembers: Have you ever heard the phrase, "The internet never forgets"? What do you think that means for the things you post or share?
- Fact or Fiction?: We see a lot of information online. How can we tell if something is true or false? Why is it important not to share false information?
- Permission to Share: Is it okay to post a picture or video of a friend online without asking them first? Why or why not? What if it's something embarrassing?
Conclusion: Your Role as a Digital Citizen (5 minutes)
- Making Good Choices: What are some actions you can take to be a responsible digital citizen every day?
- Seeking Help: Who are the trusted adults you can talk to if you encounter a problem or something uncomfortable online?
- Positive Impact: How can you use your digital citizenship skills to make the online world a better place for everyone?
Activity
Digital Dilemmas Activity: Solve the Case!
Objective: Work with your group to analyze the online scenarios below and come up with the most responsible and helpful solutions. Apply what you've learned about online safety, cyber etiquette, and responsible sharing.
Instructions:
- Read each scenario carefully as a group.
- Discuss the situation: What's the problem? What digital citizenship rules apply?
- Brainstorm possible solutions. Consider the consequences of each solution.
- Choose the best solution and explain your reasoning.
- Be ready to share your solutions with the class!
Scenario 1: The Embarrassing Photo
Your friend, Maya, took a silly picture of you making a funny face during an online video call. She thought it was hilarious and posted it on her social media account without asking you. Now other classmates are commenting and laughing, and you feel embarrassed and a little angry.
Discussion Questions:
- What is the main problem in this scenario?
- Which digital citizenship principles did Maya forget?
- What should you do? What should Maya do?
- What could be the consequences if nothing is done?
Our Group's Best Solution:
Scenario 2: The Mysterious Message
You receive a message from someone you don't recognize. They say they go to a school nearby and want to be friends. They ask for your full name and what time you usually walk home from school so they can meet you.
Discussion Questions:
- What are the red flags in this message?
- Why is sharing personal information with strangers online dangerous?
- What should you do immediately after receiving this message?
- Who should you tell about this message?
Our Group's Best Solution:
Scenario 3: The Rumor Mill
During an online game, you see several players spreading a mean rumor about another student in your class, Alex. The rumor isn't true, but other players are starting to believe it and are making fun of Alex in the chat.
Discussion Questions:
- How does this scenario relate to cyberbullying and cyber etiquette?
- What responsibilities do you have when you see something like this happening online?
- What are different ways you could respond to this situation?
- What could happen if the rumor continues to spread?
Our Group's Best Solution:
Scenario 4: The Game Cheats Video
You find a video online that claims to show you how to get free items and cheat in your favorite online game. It asks you to click a link and enter your game username and password. You really want the free items, but something feels a little off.
Discussion Questions:
- What are the potential risks of clicking this link and entering your information?
- Which digital citizenship principles are important to remember here?
- What steps should you take before deciding to click or not click?
- What are the possible consequences of giving away your game login information?
Our Group's Best Solution:
Warm Up
Digital Footprint Check-In
Instructions: Take a few minutes to think about your online activities. Answer the questions below honestly.
- If you were to search your name online right now, what kinds of things do you think you would find? (e.g., pictures, comments, game profiles, school projects)
- What does the phrase "digital footprint" mean to you? How do you think you create your own digital footprint?
- Is there anything about your digital footprint that you would want to change or manage differently? Why or why not?
Cool Down
My Digital Citizenship Promise
Instructions: Reflect on what you learned about digital citizenship today. Complete the sentences below to make your own promise about how you will behave online.
- One thing I learned about online safety that I will remember is:
- To practice good cyber etiquette, I promise to:
- Before I share information or a picture online, I will always ask myself:
- If I see something online that makes me feel uncomfortable or is mean to someone else, I will:
- I will be a positive digital citizen by: