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lenny

Online Safety Stars: Girl Power!

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Lyndal Nicholson

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Session 1: Welcome to Web World: Be a Smart Explorer!

Students will be able to identify what the internet is and recognize it as a place for learning and fun, while understanding the importance of asking a grown-up for help before going online.

Understanding the internet's basic nature and the rule of "ask a grown-up" is the foundational step for safe online exploration, preventing accidental exposure to inappropriate content or risks.

Audience

6-9 year old girls

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, story-telling, and a collaborative rule-making activity.

Materials

  • Session 1 Slide Deck, - Warm Up: Online or Offline?, - Activity: My Smart Explorer Rules, - Large chart paper or whiteboard, and - Markers

Prep

Gather Materials & Review Content

15 minutes

  • Review the Session 1 Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Session 1 Slide Deck, Warm Up: Online or Offline?, and Activity: My Smart Explorer Rules.
  • Gather large chart paper or prepare a whiteboard and markers.
  • Ensure projector/screen is ready for the slide deck.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Online or Offline?

5 minutes

Begin the lesson with the Warm Up: Online or Offline? activity.

  • Show pictures or call out activities, and ask students if they are done "online" (using the internet) or "offline." Examples: playing outside (offline), watching a video on a tablet (online), reading a book (offline), talking to grandma on a video call (online).

Step 2

Introduction: What is the Internet?

5 minutes

  • Display the Session 1 Slide Deck (Slide 1 & 2).
  • Introduce the internet as a vast, exciting "Web World" where we can learn, play, and connect.
  • Ask: "What do you think the internet is? What kinds of things can we do in the Web World?"

Step 3

The Golden Rule: Ask a Grown-Up!

5 minutes

  • Continue through the Session 1 Slide Deck (Slides 3-4).
  • Emphasize the most important rule: Always ask a grown-up before you go online! Explain why this rule is so important (grown-ups help keep them safe from things that aren't for kids).
  • Discuss: "Who are your trusted grown-ups who can help you with the internet?"

Step 4

Activity: My Smart Explorer Rules

10 minutes

  • Introduce the Activity: My Smart Explorer Rules.
  • On large chart paper or whiteboard, brainstorm together a few simple "Smart Explorer Rules" for using the internet, focusing on asking a grown-up and staying on approved sites.
  • Have students draw one of the rules on their activity sheet.

Step 5

Wrap-up: Share & Stay Safe

5 minutes

  • Invite a few students to share their drawings or one of their brainstormed rules.
  • Conclude by reiterating the excitement of the Web World and the importance of being a "Smart Explorer" by always asking a grown-up.
  • Preview next session: "Next time, we'll talk about what kinds of things are okay to share and not share in our Web World!"
lenny

Slide Deck

Welcome to Web World!

Be a Smart Explorer!

Introduce the exciting topic of the internet.

What is the Web World?

A super big place online for learning, playing, and connecting with grown-ups you know!

Explain the internet in simple terms, emphasizing its positive uses with grown-up supervision.

The Golden Rule!

Always ask a grown-up before you go online!

Introduce the most important rule. Ask students who their trusted grown-ups are.

Why Ask a Grown-Up?

Grown-ups help us find fun and safe places!
They help us if we see something not for kids.

Explain the reasoning behind the rule, focusing on protection and guidance.

Being a Smart Explorer!

We follow rules to stay safe and have fun.

Connect to real-world rules and safety.

Activity Time!

Let's create our Smart Explorer Rules!

Transition to the collaborative activity.

lenny

Warm Up

Warm Up: Online or Offline?

Objective: To help students differentiate between activities that require the internet (online) and those that do not (offline).

Instructions:

  1. Introduce Online/Offline: "Today we're going to talk about the 'Web World' or the internet. Some things we do use the internet (that's called online), and some things don't use the internet (that's called offline)."


  2. Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down Game: "I'm going to say an activity. If you think it uses the internet (it's online), give a thumbs up! If you think it does NOT use the internet (it's offline), give a thumbs down!"


  3. Activities:
    • Playing tag with friends (Offline - Thumbs Down!)
    • Watching a cartoon on a tablet (Online - Thumbs Up!)
    • Building a tower with blocks (Offline - Thumbs Down!)
    • Talking to a friend who lives far away on a video call (Online - Thumbs Up!)
    • Drawing a picture with crayons (Offline - Thumbs Down!)
    • Playing a game on a computer (Online - Thumbs Up!)
    • Reading a physical book (Offline - Thumbs Down!)
    • Looking up how to draw a dog on a computer (Online - Thumbs Up!)



      Briefly discuss why some activities are online and others are offline.
lenny
lenny

Activity

Activity: My Smart Explorer Rules

Objective: To collaboratively establish simple, positive online safety rules and for students to internalize one key rule.

Materials:

  • Paper (one sheet per student)
  • Markers or crayons
  • Large chart paper or whiteboard (for whole-class brainstorming with the teacher)

Instructions:

  1. Brainstorm Rules Together: "As a class, let's think of some important rules to be 'Smart Explorers' in the Web World. Remember, the first rule is always to ask a grown-up! What other rules can help us stay safe and have fun?" (Teacher writes down 2-3 simple rules on chart paper/whiteboard, such as: 'Always ask a grown-up', 'Stay on grown-up approved websites', 'Don't click on things you don't know').












  2. Choose Your Rule: "Now, look at the rules we thought of together. Choose one rule that you think is super important for being a Smart Explorer online. Or, if you have another idea for a smart rule, you can use that one!"












  3. Draw Your Rule: "On your paper, draw a picture that shows your chosen rule. For example, if your rule is 'Always ask a grown-up,' you might draw a picture of yourself asking your mom or dad before going on a tablet."












  4. Write Your Rule (Optional): "If you can, try to write your rule under your drawing. Don't worry if it's not perfect!"












Be ready to share your Smart Explorer Rule and drawing with the class if you'd like!

lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Session 2: Secret or Share? What Belongs Online?

Students will be able to differentiate between information that is safe to share online and information that should be kept private, and understand the difference between online friends and real-life friends.

Understanding personal information and online privacy is crucial for young children to prevent accidental sharing and protect their identity and safety.

Audience

6-9 year old girls

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, story-based scenarios, and a sorting activity.

Materials

  • Session 2 Slide Deck, - Warm Up: Online Me, Offline Me, - Activity: Secret or Share? Sorting Game, - Pictures or cards for sorting activity (e.g., your name, your favorite color, your address, your pet's name, your phone number, your school), and - Two large hoops or designated areas labeled "Secret" and "Share"

Prep

Gather Materials & Review Content

15 minutes

  • Review the Session 2 Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Session 2 Slide Deck, Warm Up: Online Me, Offline Me, and Activity: Secret or Share? Sorting Game.
  • Prepare pictures or cards with various information for the sorting activity.
  • Set up two designated areas or hoops labeled "Secret" and "Share."
  • Ensure projector/screen is ready for the slide deck.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Online Me, Offline Me

5 minutes

Begin the lesson with the Warm Up: Online Me, Offline Me activity.

  • Ask students to think about things that make them "them" when they are playing outside with friends (offline) and things that make them "them" when they are online (e.g., their username, avatar).
  • Facilitate a brief discussion about how some things are personal and only for close grown-ups.

Step 2

Introduction: Secret or Share?

5 minutes

  • Display the Session 2 Slide Deck (Slide 1 & 2).
  • Briefly recap Session 1: "Last time, we learned about the Web World and the golden rule: always ask a grown-up before going online! Today, we're going to talk about what information is a 'secret' and what is okay to 'share' in the Web World."

Step 3

Discussion: Personal Information & Online Friends

5 minutes

  • Continue through the Session 2 Slide Deck (Slides 3-7).
  • Introduce the concept of personal information (full name, address, phone number, school, real photo) and why it's a secret online.
  • Discuss what is generally safe to share (favorite color, pet's name, what you had for lunch).
  • Explain the difference between real-life friends and online 'friends' and why we don't meet online 'friends' in person without a grown-up.

Step 4

Activity: Secret or Share? Sorting Game

10 minutes

  • Introduce the Activity: Secret or Share? Sorting Game.
  • Hold up each card with information (e.g., "Your full name," "Your favorite color") and ask students to decide if it's a "Secret" or okay to "Share" online, placing it in the correct hoop/area.
  • Discuss the reasoning for each choice as a class.

Step 5

Wrap-up: Stay Smart, Stay Safe

5 minutes

  • Invite a few students to share one thing they learned about what to keep secret online.
  • Conclude by reiterating the importance of keeping personal information private and always talking to a grown-up if something feels confusing or unsafe online.
  • Preview next session: "Next time, we'll talk about what to do if we see something online that makes us feel yucky or uncomfortable!"
lenny

Slide Deck

Secret or Share?

What Belongs Online?

Welcome students and introduce the day's topic: what information is safe to share online.

In Our Web World...

Some things are okay to SHARE.
Some things are a SECRET!

Recap Session 1 briefly and set the stage for discussing privacy.

My Personal Info Is A SECRET!

Your full name
Your home address
Your phone number
Your school
A picture of just YOU

Introduce the idea of 'personal information' and give examples.

Why Keep Secrets Online?

To keep YOU safe and sound!
Only grown-ups you know need this info.

Explain WHY this information needs to be kept secret for safety.

Okay To SHARE Online!

Your favorite color
Your pet's name
What you had for lunch
Your favorite game

Give examples of information that is generally safe to share online.

Online 'Friends' vs. Real Friends

Real friends you know from school or home.
Online 'friends' are people you only know on the internet.

Distinguish between real-life friends and online 'friends'.

Never Meet Online 'Friends'!

Always, always, ALWAYS check with a trusted grown-up before you talk to anyone new online or meet them in person!

Emphasize the rule about never meeting online strangers.

Time to Sort!

Let's play Secret or Share?

Transition to the sorting activity.

lenny

Warm Up

Warm Up: Online Me, Offline Me

Objective: To get students thinking about their identity and presence in both the physical and digital worlds, and the idea of personal information.

Instructions:

  1. Offline Me: "When you are playing outside with your friends or at home with your family, what are some things that make you, YOU?" (e.g., your loud laugh, how you like to run fast, your favorite game to play, your hair color).


  2. Online Me: "Now, when you go online to play a game or watch a video with a grown-up, what are some things that make you, YOU, in that Web World?" (e.g., your game character's name, your favorite show to watch, your avatar).


  3. Discuss Personal Info: "Great thinking! Some things about 'Offline Me' are super special and private, like your full name, where you live, or your phone number. These are things only your grown-ups and very close family need to know. We don't share these 'secret' things in the Web World!"



    Briefly reiterate the difference between general information and personal, private information.
lenny
lenny

Activity

Activity: Secret or Share? Sorting Game

Objective: To practice identifying and categorizing different types of information as either safe to share online or private.

Materials:

  • Pre-made cards with pictures or words (one item per card) representing different types of information. Examples:
    • Your full name (Secret)
    • Your favorite color (Share)
    • Your home address (Secret)
    • Your pet's name (Share)
    • Your school name (Secret)
    • What you had for lunch (Share)
    • Your phone number (Secret)
    • Your favorite animal (Share)
    • A picture of your whole family (Secret - could reveal location or identity)
    • A picture of your favorite toy (Share)
  • Two designated areas or hoops on the floor, clearly labeled "Secret" and "Share."

Instructions:

  1. Introduce the Game: "Alright, Smart Explorers! We're going to play a game called 'Secret or Share?' We have two special spots: one for things that are a SECRET and one for things that are okay to SHARE in our Web World."


  2. Explain the Rules: "I will hold up a card with some information. As a class, we will decide if this information is a 'Secret' that we should never tell online, or if it's okay to 'Share' online. Then, we'll place it in the correct spot!"


  3. Play the Game: Hold up each card one at a time. Ask questions to guide discussion:
    • "Is this something only your grown-ups should know?"
    • "Could someone use this information to find you in real life?"
    • "Is this something fun and general that many people know about you, like your favorite color?"
    • Place the card in the agreed-upon area.












Encourage all students to participate in the discussion and decision-making for each card.

lenny
lenny