Lesson Plan
Stay Safe Online! Lesson Plan
Introduce 3rd grade students to fundamental cyber safety concepts, focusing on protecting personal information and recognizing safe online behavior.
Building early awareness of cyber safety helps students develop responsible online habits and protects them in digital environments.
Audience
3rd Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive whole-group discussions and activities enable practical understanding.
Prep
Review and Plan
5 minutes
- Review the Stay Safe Online! Lesson Plan and associated materials for detailed objectives and instructions.
- Prepare interactive discussion points and a cyber safety scenario for a whole-group activity.
- Ensure all digital devices and presentation tools are ready for the session.
Step 1
Introduction & Whole Group Discussion
10 minutes
- Introduce the concept of cyber safety and explain why it is important.
- Ask the entire class questions about personal information and online safety rules using clear, age-appropriate language.
- Facilitate a whole-group discussion where students share their ideas and experiences, ensuring every student has the opportunity to participate.
Step 2
Interactive Whole-Group Activity
15 minutes
- Present a cyber safety scenario on the slides where a character encounters an online dilemma.
- Engage the whole group in a discussion by asking what the character should do when a pop-up asks for personal information.
- Use probing questions to reinforce safe practices and explain the correct behavior, ensuring that all students understand why asking a trusted adult is important.
Step 3
Wrap-Up, Recap & Quiz
5 minutes
- Summarize the key points from the lesson with the whole class.
- Conduct the Cyber Safety Quiz as a whole-group activity to check understanding.
- Ask students to share one tip they learned about staying safe online and remind them to ask a trusted adult if they are unsure about something online.
Slide Deck
Welcome to Stay Safe Online!
Today, we're going to learn how to be safe when we use the internet!
Welcome the students and introduce the topic. Explain that today they will learn about cyber safety, which means staying safe while using the internet. Use simple language and friendly tone.
What is Cyber Safety?
Cyber safety means protecting yourself and your personal information when using the internet.
Explain what cyber safety means. Ask the students if they know what personal information is. Encourage them to share ideas about what kinds of information should be kept secret online.
Protect Your Personal Information
Remember: Your name, address, and phone number are private. Always keep them safe!
Discuss with the students examples of personal information (e.g., name, address, phone number). Ask them why it might be important to keep this information private.
Interactive Scenario
Imagine you see a pop-up asking for your secret information. What should you do? Discuss with your group!
Introduce an interactive scenario: A character faces an online dilemma. Ask students in small groups what the character should do. Walk around to assist and prompt further discussion.
Wrap-Up & Recap
What did you learn today? Remember: When in doubt, ask a trusted adult about online safety.
Wrap-up the lesson by summarizing the key points. Ask each student to share one thing they learned about online safety. Reiterate the importance of talking to a trusted adult if unsure.
Activity
Cyber Safety Scenario Activity
In this revised whole-group activity, the class will come together to discuss and think about how to stay safe online during a tricky situation. Follow the steps below as a class:
Activity Guidelines
-
Listen to the Scenario:
- The teacher will present a scenario about a character named Alex who, while browsing the internet, sees a pop-up asking for personal information such as his name, address, and school name.
-
Whole Group Discussion:
- As a class, discuss what Alex should do when he sees the pop-up. Consider why sharing personal information can be risky online and why it’s important to be cautious.
-
Guided Questions:
- Question 1: What should Alex do when he sees the pop-up asking for his personal information?
- Question 2: What types of personal information should always be kept private?
- Question 3: Who is a safe person that Alex can ask for help if he is unsure about what to do?
-
Teacher-Led Synthesis:
- The teacher will guide the discussion, summarizing the ideas shared and highlighting key safe online behaviors such as stopping, protecting personal information, and consulting a trusted adult.
-
Reflection:
- Conclude by asking the entire class to share one new thing they learned or one tip they will remember about staying safe online.
Follow-Up Points
- Reflect on Safety: What important piece of advice about online safety do you remember?
- Reminder: Always ask a trusted adult if something online makes you feel unsure or unsafe.
This whole-group activity ensures everyone participates together in learning how to navigate tricky situations online safely.
Quiz
Cyber Safety Quiz
Reading
Cyber Safety Read Aloud
Welcome, students! Today, I'm going to read you a story that helps explain what cyber safety is and why it's important to keep our personal information safe when we're online.
The Story of Alex and the Mysterious Pop-Up
Once upon a time, there was a curious child named Alex who loved exploring fun games and learning new things on the computer. One sunny afternoon, while Alex was browsing the internet, a strange pop-up appeared on the screen. The pop-up said, "Please tell us your name, address, and school information to win a big prize!"
Alex felt a little confused. "Should I tell them my secret information?" Alex wondered.
What Should Alex Do?
Alex remembered a very important rule: Never share personal information online without talking to a trusted adult. Alex stopped scrolling and decided to ask a grown-up for help. Alex found their teacher and shared what the pop-up said. The teacher explained that it was not safe to give out personal details to strangers on the internet and reminded Alex to always ask for help when unsure.
Why is Cyber Safety Important?
Just like you lock the door to keep your home safe, we use cyber safety rules to protect our personal information on the internet. In the digital world, there are many fun things to explore, but we must remember:
- Keep Your Information Safe: Your name, address, and school details are private.
- Ask a Trusted Adult: If something online makes you feel uncomfortable or confused, always talk to an adult you trust, like a teacher or a parent.
- Think Before You Click: If a pop-up or a website asks for personal information, take a moment to remember your safety rules.
Discussion Time
After listening to this story, let's think about what Alex did. What do you think would have happened if Alex had given out the personal information? How can you make sure to stay safe online, just like Alex learned to do?
Remember, staying safe online is just as important as looking both ways before crossing the street. Always be smart and cautious, and if you’re ever unsure, ask a trusted adult for help.
Enjoy the rest of today's lesson as we learn more about staying safe online!