Writing

"We teach writing every week in our classrooms, it provides a perfect opportunity to explore digital citizenship.

Through modelled and then independent writing, class discussions can open up and continue important conversations around the online world. Have you considered persuasive, narrative and information text types as your mediums to teach digital citizenship?"

Narrative

  • Write about a character who comes across a problem (online or offline) and uses their trusted adults to help. Make sure to describe their ‘early warning signs’ they felt.

  • Write about a character who has too much screen time and through the help of his friends discovers some new green time activities!

  • Write a story that has two alternate endings - one where the character does not “consider other’s perspective” before doing something online AND one where they do.

Persuasive (Opinion Pieces)

  • The internet does more good than harm.

  • Our society is addicted to screens. Agree or disagree.

  • We should think twice before posting.

  • Is social media more good than bad?

  • Is gaming good for you?

Information Report

  • What is the internet? And how does it work? (see video below as a reference)

  • Balancing Screen Time & Green Time

    • Paragraph 2: What is screen time?

    • Paragraph 2: What is green time?

    • Paragraph 3: Why is it important to have balance?

  • Online scams and phishing - what are they and how to look out for them

  • How does using screens late at night affect our sleep? (see video below as a reference)

  • How-to Guide

    • Choose your favourite game/app and write a guide to help others with tips and tricks to succeed. Make sure you include tips for making it safer (blocking/reporting, looking out for scams etc.)

    • *NB. You will want to vet what games/apps they write about & have a discussion about age suitability (ie. social media is 13+). There are many games they may be allowed to play at home that aren’t fit for school!

Recount

  • Write about something you have done online that is awesome, fun or amazing and then write about something you have done offline that is awesome, fun or amazing.

  • Write about all the green time activities from the last week. Which one was your favourite?

Procedural

  • How to evaluate a website for credibility (step by step)

  • Write a "how-to" guide to make devices safer (iPad, laptop, phone etc). Focus on the settings that help make it more secure - screen lock, location etc.

  • Write the instructions/steps/rules for your favourite green time game or activity.