Zone Mapping Game

Objective: Students will categorize personal information and online activities into Public, Friends-Only, and Private zones to practice defining digital boundaries.

Materials Needed:

• Printed Zone Mapping Cards (one set of 15–20 cards per group)
• Zone Header Cards: Public, Friends-Only, Private
• Table or floor space for sorting
• Timer or stopwatch
• (Optional) Digital whiteboard for remote/virtual sorting

Setup and Roles (2 minutes):

1. Divide class into small groups of 3–4 students.
2. Distribute one set of Zone Mapping Cards and header cards to each group.
3. Assign each student a role:
   • Reader: Reads the card aloud
   • Sorter: Places the card under a zone
   • Timekeeper: Keeps track of time
   • Reporter: Shares the group’s reasoning with the class

Sorting Phase (5 minutes):

1. Reader draws a card and reads the item (e.g., “My home address,” “My favorite movie”) aloud.
2. Group discusses: Which zone does this belong in—Public, Friends-Only, or Private?
3. Sorter places the card under the chosen header.
4. Timekeeper ensures the group moves steadily through the cards.
5. Continue until all cards are sorted or timer ends.

Group Discussion (2 minutes):

1. Reporter selects one card from each zone and explains the group’s rationale:
   • Why is “” Public but “” Private?
2. Teacher circulates to ask prompting questions:
   • “What might happen if you shared this in the wrong zone?”
   • “How could respecting someone else’s boundary look different?”

Formative Assessment:

• Observe and note which items groups debate most—signal a need for clarification.
• Use thumbs-up/thumbs-down to check if students agree with each presented rationale.

Variation & Extension:

• Advanced Groups: Create 3 of their own digital items and decide where they’d place them.
• Remote Option: Use a shared digital whiteboard with drag-and-drop cards.
• Flip the game: Give students an item and ask them to write 2–3 examples of content that belongs in each zone.

Next Steps:
After this activity, transition to the Respectful Rooms Slides discussion to explore how respecting boundaries differs across various online spaces.

Boundary Reflection

Take a moment to think about what you learned today about digital boundaries. Complete each part below.

1. My Personal Boundary
Write one clear boundary you will set online (what you will share and with whom):

2. Respecting Others’ Boundaries
Write one way you will honor a friend’s digital boundary when you’re online together:

3. Draw Your Boundary in Action
On the lines or space below, illustrate a short scene showing you following your boundary or respecting a friend’s boundary.