Embedded Files
Support middle school students’ desire to experiment and explore online with these fifteen lessons. Empower them to reflect critically on their digital lives: their use of media, their understanding of the broader landscape, and their participation in the always-on community. These developmentally-appropriate lessons encourage middle schoolers to hone their digital literacy and citizenship skills by putting an emphasis on how individuals interact with and impact others in the digital world. Topics include maintaining healthy relationships, communicating respectfully, and developing a positive online reputation.
6 lessons are highlighted and the full 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
6th Grade:
- 01 Scams and Schemes
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- 02 Cyberbullying: Be Upstanding
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7th Grade:
- 03 Safe Online Talk
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- 04 Trillion Dollar Footprint
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8th Grade:
- 05 Cyberbullying: Crossing the Line
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- 06 Reuse, Rework, Remix
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Brain Pop - Digital Citizenship — Access to several lessons on digital citizenship topics
Cyberbulling: Crossing the Line — Digital lesson. When does inappropriate online behavior cross the line to cyberbullying, and what can you do about it?Students learn to distinguish good-natured teasing from cyberbullying. Students learn about serious forms of cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying: Be Upstanding — Digital lesson version. How do you judge the intentions and impact of people’s words and actions online? Students learn about the difference between being a passive bystander versus a brave upstander in cyberbullying situations.
Cyberbullying - Crossing the Line Video — Link to video mentioned in the lesson plan. Video is available in an iPad/Android friendly format.
Digital Passport — Digital Passport is a free, online interactive game for upper elementary that teaches the rules of the road for digital citizenship. (Registration required)
Rework, Reuse, Remix — Digital lesson link. What rights do you have as a creator? Students explore the concept of fair use, apply it to case studies, and create an original work of fair use.
Rework, Reuse, Remix Videos — Link to videos mentioned in lesson plan. Videos available in iPad/Android friendly format
Safe Online Talk — Digital lesson link. How should you handle inappropriate online talk? While acknowledging the benefits of online talk and messaging, students consider scenarios in which they may feel uncomfortable, or may encounter inappropriate behavior on the Internet.
Safe Online Talk Videos — Link to videos mentioned in lesson plan. Video is available in iPad/Android friendly format.
Scams and Schemes — Digital version for Scams and Schemes. What is identity theft, and how can you protect yourself from it?Students learn strategies for guarding against identity theft and scams that try to access their private information online.
Trillion Dollar Digital Footprint Videos — Link to videos mentioned in lesson. Videos available in iPad/Android friendly format
Trillion Dollar Footprint — Digital lesson link. What is a digital footprint, and what does yours convey? Students learn that they have a digital footprint, which can be searched, shared, and seen by a large, invisible audience. Students then learn that they can take some control over their digital footprint based on what they post online.
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