“My So-called Social Media Life”

Title of Project: “My So-called Social Media Life”

Schools and Teachers

William T. Rogers Middle School Teachers: Annita Buffa & Mina Laucella

ENL Proficiency Level | ENL Program | Standards | Technology

Entering, Transitioning, Expanding | Stand-Alone | SL.7.1(a,b,c,d), RI.7.2, W.7.10 | Flocabulary, Pear Deck

Assessments

Students were assessed informally throughout the lesson. Teacher will check for understanding by observing student engagement, classwork activity and checking for understanding. Each student’s oral and written responses will provide insight into student comprehension. Students will complete a “Noticing Red Flag Feelings” activity in which they will utilize what they have learned about coping strategies to identify issues and recommend strategies to deal with those problems. Finally, students will tie it all together in a reflective journal response.

Description

This lesson is intended to help students navigate the different feelings they may experience while on social media. For most middle schoolers, being on social media can mean connecting with friends, sharing pictures, and keeping up-to-date. But it can also mean big-time distractions, social pressures, and more. Identifying the positive and negative effects can help students build healthy relationships in their digital lives.

Content

I can identify the role of social media in my life and recognize "red flag feelings".

Language

I can read and respond using the Feelings & Options thinking routine to consider ways to handle those feelings.

Technology

I can reflect on the positive and negative effects social media use has on relationships.

Student work

Procedure

Warm up: Social media bonds - Students and the teacher have a discussion about social media in general. Students take an online poll as to which social medial platforms they engage in. Results are discussed.

Watch and discuss: Sharing it all - Students watch a Common Sense Media video that highlights the benefits and problems or drawbacks of social media. Teacher poses 2 questions for students to reflect on and comment. A Flocabulary video on oversharing is then played. We then discuss what NOT to share on social media. Students are given a Top Ten list of what not to post.

Analyze: Noticing red flag feelings - Talk about the negative feelings described in the Common Sense Media video and how it is important to pause, slow down and think about your feelings. Display the Feeling & Options steps. Explain to students that these are steps they can use to help them in these situations. The students then complete the Noticing Red Flag Feelings handout. Students work independently to complete the handout and then share responses if time allows.

Resources and Other Materials

Reflection

Students were engaged throughout the lesson as they made many connections to their own lives. We were made aware of just how vital digital citizenship lessons are especially in the lives of our ELLs. Some parents lack the education needed to be digital citizens themselves and therefore many have not had conversations with their children about how to navigate the internet safely. Students' verbal and written responses throughout the lesson demonstrated that they understood the task at hand and could synthesize the information and apply it to their own lives. We are looking forward to using more Common Sense Media lessons in the future.