Grades 3-5
Help upper elementary students learn to balance the responsibility that comes with accessing our ever-evolving digital world. The lessons in these units revisit the fundamentals of Internet safety, privacy, security, and information literacy covered in the units for grades K-2, while weaving in the challenges and opportunities of collaborating in online communities. These 45-minute lessons put more emphasis on the concepts of becoming a responsible and respectful communicator online than those designed for lower elementary school students.
6 lessons are highlighted and the lesson materials provided below in the suggested lessons section.
Additional Lessons May Be Found on the Common Sense Media Website: Click Here
Each lesson includes:
- Full lesson plan with alignment to Common Core State State Standards
- Any required student handouts
- Referenced parent handouts
- Extension activity
- Checking for understanding questions/assessment handouts
- Any appropriate lesson videos
Suggested Lessons: see below for lesson materials
3rd Grade:
- 01 The Power of Words
- 02 Whose is it, Anyway?
4th Grade:
- 03 Digital Citizenship Pledge
- 04 You've Won a Prize!
5th Grade:
- 05 Talking Safely Online
- 06 Super Digital Citizen
Digital Citizenship Pledge — Digital lesson link. How do you create a positive online community? Students will establish group norms to create a positive online community that promotes responsible and respectful digital behavior within their classroom.
Super Digital Citizen — Digital lesson link. How can people help others to be good digital citizens? Students explore what it means to be responsible and respectful to their offline and online communities as a step toward learning how to be good digital citizens.
Super Digital Citizen Video.mp4
Talking Safely Online — Digital lesson link. What’s the difference between Internet friends and in-person friends? Students learn that, while people can develop rewarding friendships online, they should be cautious with online-only friends and never reveal private information without asking a parent or trusted adult for permission.
Talking Safely Online Video.mp4
The Power of Words — Digital lesson link. What should you do when someone uses mean or scary language on the Internet? Students consider that they may encounter online messages from other kids that can make them feel angry, hurt, sad, or fearful. They explore ways to handle cyberbullying and how to respond in the face of upsetting language online.
Whose Is It, Anyway? — Digital lesson link. How can I show respect for people’s work? Students learn that although the Internet makes it very easy, copying the work of others and presenting it as one’s own is called plagiarism. They also learn about circumstances in which it is permissible to use the work of others.
You've Won a Prize! — Digital lesson link. What is spam, and what can you do about it? Students learn what spam is, the forms it takes, and then identify strategies for dealing with it.