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Digital Citizenship Detectives

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Lesson Plan

Digital Citizenship Detectives

Students will learn about online safety, respectful communication, recognizing misinformation, and understanding their digital footprint to promote responsible online behavior.

In an increasingly digital world, it's crucial for students to develop strong digital citizenship skills to ensure their safety, promote positive interactions, and critically evaluate online information.

Audience

Grades 3-5

Time

3-4 sessions (45-60 minutes each)

Approach

Interactive discussions, practical activities, and guided reflections.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Markers/Whiteboard, Digital Detectives Slide Deck, Online Safety Scenario Cards (Activity), Fact or Fiction Worksheet, and Digital Footprint Journal

Prep

Teacher Preparation

30 minutes per session

Step 1

Session 1: Online Safety Superheroes

45-60 minutes

Hook (5 minutes)
- Begin with a quick Warm Up: "What does it mean to be safe online?" Discuss student responses.

### Introduction to Online Safety (15 minutes)
- Present Digital Detectives Slide Deck (Slides 1-5) to introduce the concept of digital citizenship and online safety rules.
- Discuss key terms: personal information, stranger danger online.

### Activity: Online Safety Scenario Cards (20 minutes)
- Divide students into small groups.
- Distribute Online Safety Scenario Cards (Activity).
- Each group discusses scenarios and decides on the safest course of action.
- Share and discuss responses as a class.

### Wrap-up & Reflection (5-10 minutes)
- Cool Down: Students complete an online safety pledge.

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Slide Deck

Digital Citizenship Detectives: Your Mission Begins!

Welcome, Detectives!

  • Your Mission: Learn to be safe, smart, and kind online.
  • Why it matters: The internet is a big place, and we need to know how to navigate it!

Welcome students and introduce the exciting role of a 'Digital Citizenship Detective.' Explain that just like real detectives, they'll learn to look for clues and make smart choices online. Briefly go over what digital citizenship means in simple terms: being a good, safe, and smart citizen in the online world.

Secret Agent Status: Keep Your Information Private!

What is Personal Information?

  • Your full name
  • Your address
  • Your phone number
  • Your school name
  • Passwords
  • Pictures that show where you live or go to school

Detective Rule #1: Don't share personal information with people you don't know online!

Ask students what 'personal information' means to them. Guide them to understand that it's anything that can identify them or their family. Emphasize that this information should be kept private from people they don't know online. Use examples like full name, address, phone number, school name, specific plans. Reinforce that if they're ever unsure, they should ask a trusted adult.

Online Strangers: Who's Behind the Screen?

Just like in real life, be careful of strangers online!

  • People online might not be who they say they are.
  • Never agree to meet someone you only know online.
  • If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult immediately!

Discuss the concept of 'stranger danger' in the online world. Explain that people online might not always be who they say they are. Encourage students to think critically about online requests and to never meet someone they've only met online without a trusted adult. Stress the importance of telling a parent, teacher, or guardian if someone online makes them feel uncomfortable or asks for personal details.

Be a Kind Communicator: The Golden Rule of the Internet

Our words have power, especially online!

  • Think before you type: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
  • Be respectful: Treat others online the way you want to be treated.
  • No cyberbullying: Never say or do anything online that would hurt someone else.

Introduce the idea of respectful communication. Ask students how they show respect in person, and then transition to how that applies online. Discuss the impact of words and actions online, reminding them that behind every screen is a real person with feelings. Emphasize the 'think before you post' rule and the golden rule: 'Treat others how you want to be treated' online.

Fact or Fiction? Spotting Misinformation

Not everything you see or read online is true!

  • Misinformation: Wrong or misleading information.
  • Be a fact-checker detective: Ask yourself:
    • Is this from a trusted source?
    • Does it seem too good to be true?
    • Can I ask an adult if it's real?

Explain what misinformation is and how it can spread online. Use simple examples of things that might seem true but aren't (e.g., 'all cats can fly'). Discuss the importance of checking sources and thinking critically about what they read or see online. Introduce the idea of being a 'fact-checker detective' by looking for reliable sources like trusted news sites, educational websites, or asking an adult.

Your Digital Footprint: What Traces Do You Leave?

Every time you go online, you leave a "digital footprint"!

  • Things you post, comments you make, pictures you share.
  • These footprints can stay online for a long time.
  • Detective Rule #2: Make sure your digital footprint shows the best you!

Introduce the concept of a 'digital footprint.' Explain that everything they do online leaves a trace, just like footprints in the sand. Discuss how these footprints can be seen by others and can stay around for a long time. Emphasize making positive footprints by being kind and responsible. Ask students to consider what kind of digital footprint they want to leave behind.

lenny

Lesson Plan

Digital Citizenship Detectives

Students will learn about online safety, respectful communication, recognizing misinformation, and understanding their digital footprint to promote responsible online behavior.

In today's interconnected world, it's crucial for students to develop strong digital citizenship skills to stay safe, communicate effectively, and make informed decisions online.

Audience

Grades 3-5

Time

Multiple sessions (45-60 minutes per session)

Approach

Interactive discussions, engaging activities, and practical exercises.

Materials

Digital Citizenship Detectives Slide Deck, Online Safety Activity Cards, Digital Footprint Worksheet, and Misinformation Discussion Prompts

Prep

Preparation

30 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What is a Digital Citizen?

10 minutes

  • Begin with Digital Citizenship Detectives Slide Deck - Slide 1-3 to introduce the concept of digital citizenship.
  • Ask students: "What do you think it means to be a good citizen in our town? What about online?"

Step 2

Online Safety Scenarios

15 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups.
  • Distribute Online Safety Activity Cards.
  • Each group discusses their scenario and decides on the safest action. Share with the class.

Step 3

Respectful Communication Online

10 minutes

Step 4

Spotting Misinformation

15 minutes

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Slide Deck

Welcome, Digital Citizen Detectives!

Let's investigate how to be safe, smart, and kind online!

Welcome students and introduce the topic of being a digital citizen. Explain that just like in our community, there are rules and good behaviors to follow online.

What is a Digital Citizen?

A digital citizen is someone who uses technology and the internet responsibly and respectfully.

Introduce the idea that the internet is a vast place and we need to be aware of how to navigate it safely.

Our Mission: Be Digital Detectives!

We'll learn to:

  • Stay safe online
  • Be kind and respectful
  • Spot tricky information
  • Understand our online footprint

Explain that being a detective means looking closely and thinking critically about what we see and do online.

Speaking Nicely Online

Think before you type or post! Would you say it to someone's face? If not, don't post it online.

Discuss the importance of kind words and actions online, just like in person.

Be a Buddy, Not a Bully

Always be kind and helpful. If you see unkindness, report it to a trusted adult.

Emphasize empathy and understanding different perspectives when communicating digitally.

Spotting Tricky Information

Sometimes things online aren't true. How can we tell the difference between facts and made-up stories?

Introduce the concept of misinformation and how to identify it. Use simple language and relatable examples.

Your Detective Tools:

  1. Ask Questions: Who made this? Why did they make it?
  2. Look Closely: Does it look real? Are there strange spellings?
  3. Check with an Adult: If you're not sure, ask a grown-up!

Give students simple tips like checking multiple sources or asking a trusted adult if something seems off.

Your Digital Footprint

Every click, post, and share leaves a trail. This is your digital footprint.

Explain that everything they do online leaves a 'footprint' or a trail.

Make a Good Impression

Your digital footprint can last a long time. Make sure it's something you're proud of!

Discuss the permanence of digital footprints and the importance of thinking long-term.

You Are Digital Detectives!

Remember to be safe, kind, and smart online. You've got this!

Conclude by reiterating the main points and encouraging students to be responsible digital citizens.

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