Lesson Plan
Surfing Safely Lesson Plan
Students will learn basic internet safety concepts and identify strategies to handle cyberbullying, focusing on protecting personal information and responding to uncomfortable online interactions.
This lesson equips young learners with essential digital skills, ensuring they understand safe online behaviors and become responsible digital citizens.
Audience
K-2 Students
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, storytelling, and simple activities.
Materials
Prep
Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Cyber Safety Story to understand the narrative and key messages.
- Prepare the Internet Safety Activity materials.
- Familiarize yourself with the key internet safety points and potential discussion questions.
Step 1
Introduction and Discussion
10 minutes
- Introduce the topic of internet safety asking simple questions like "What is the internet?"
- Discuss why it's important to keep personal information safe.
- Explain what cyberbullying is in simple terms and share recognizable examples.
Step 2
Story Time
15 minutes
- Read the Cyber Safety Story aloud, engaging students by asking predictive and reflective questions.
- Pause to highlight parts where characters make safe choices online.
Step 3
Interactive Activity
7 minutes
- Conduct the Internet Safety Activity where students practice identifying safe versus unsafe internet practices.
- Encourage group discussion to reinforce conclusions.
Step 4
Wrap-Up and Review
3 minutes
- Summarize key takeaways about internet safety and dealing with cyberbullying.
- Ask students to share one thing they learned and how they can be safe online.
Reading
The Adventures of Clicky the Crab and the Web of Wonders
Once upon a time, in a bright blue ocean, lived a little crab named Clicky. Clicky loved to explore! One sunny day, a big, shiny box washed ashore. It was a computer!
Clicky carefully touched the screen, and poof! A magical web of colors appeared. This was the internet, a giant, wonderful place filled with games, songs, and friendly fish. But Grandma Coral had told Clicky, "The internet is like the ocean, Clicky. It's full of amazing things, but you must always be safe!"
Clicky remembered Grandma Coral's three golden rules:
Rule #1: Keep Your Shell Closed! (Protect Personal Information)
Grandma Coral said, "Never tell anyone your name, where you live, or your favorite yummy seaweed online. Keep that information tucked safely in your shell, just like your favorite pearl!"
One day, a sneaky-looking squid named Inky tried to trick Clicky. "Hey, little crab! What's your name? Where do you play?" Inky asked. Clicky remembered Grandma's rule and just smiled, waving his claw. He knew not to share his secret shell information.
Rule #2: Only Talk to Known Fish! (Talk to trusted adults)
Grandma Coral always said, "Only talk to fish you know and trust, like your family and teachers. If a fish you don't know tries to talk to you online, swim away and tell a grown-up!"
One afternoon, Clicky was playing a fun game with his friend Starfish, when a grumpy pufferfish popped up. "You're playing that game all wrong!" the pufferfish puffed. Clicky felt a little sad, but he remembered Grandma Coral's rule. He knew the pufferfish wasn't being kind, so he swam away from the game and told his mom about the grumpy fish. His mom said, "You did a great job, Clicky! It's always good to tell a grown-up if someone online makes you feel sad or uncomfortable."
Rule #3: If Something Feels Icky, Tell a Grown-Up Quickly! (Recognize and Report Cyberbullying)
Grandma Coral made this rule extra important. "If you see something online that makes you feel sad, scared, or yucky, tell a grown-up right away! Don't keep it a secret. Grown-ups are there to help you!"
One time, Clicky saw a group of sharks making fun of a little seahorse's drawing online. The seahorse looked so sad. Clicky felt icky inside. He quickly went to his teacher, Ms. Jellyfish, and told her what happened. Ms. Jellyfish thanked Clicky for being brave and helped the seahorse.
So, Clicky the Crab learned to surf the web of wonders safely, always remembering Grandma Coral's golden rules. He knew that with these rules, he could have lots of fun online and stay safe from grumpy pufferfish and sneaky squids. And so can you!"
Activity
Safe Surf or Tricky Current?
Objective: Students will identify safe and unsafe online behaviors by discussing different scenarios.
Instructions: Read each scenario aloud. As a class, decide if the action in the scenario is a "Safe Surf" (meaning it's a good, safe choice) or a "Tricky Current" (meaning it's not a safe choice and could lead to trouble). Give a thumbs up for Safe Surf and a thumbs down for Tricky Current. Discuss why it's safe or tricky, relating it back to Clicky the Crab's rules!
Scenario 1: New Friend Request
Clicky is playing his favorite online game. A new fish, who Clicky has never seen before, sends him a message saying, "Hi! What's your real name and where do you go to school? Let's be best friends!"
Is this a Safe Surf or a Tricky Current?
Why?
Scenario 2: Telling a Grown-Up
Clicky sees a picture online that makes him feel a little bit scared and confused. He immediately tells his teacher, Ms. Jellyfish, about it.
Is this a Safe Surf or a Tricky Current?
Why?
Scenario 3: Sharing Your Secrets
Clicky is chatting with his friend Starfish online. Starfish asks Clicky to share his secret password so they can play games on each other's accounts. Clicky thinks it's okay because Starfish is his friend.
Is this a Safe Surf or a Tricky Current?
Why?
Scenario 4: Kind Words Online
Clicky is playing a game and another little crab is having trouble. Clicky types, "Don't worry, you can do it! Keep trying!" and sends it to the other crab.
Is this a Safe Surf or a Tricky Current?
Why?
Remember: Always keep your shell closed, only talk to fish you know, and if something feels icky, tell a grown-up quickly!"