Grade 3

Upon receipt of GCS-loaned devices, all students will be taught the lessons in the Responsible Use of GCS Technology Canvas course. The lessons in this course cover how to use a GCS device responsibly as well as the digital citizenship topics required by the Children's Internet Protection Act. 

All students must have a completion grade in this course within a month of receiving their GCS device.

It's essential that students learn to think critically about the news and media they encounter every day. Students will demonstrate the ability to identify, evaluate, and use information effectively, find credible and trustworthy sources, and give proper credit. They will recognize how individuals and society are influenced by the media and the misrepresentations and stereotypes they sometimes promote. Students will reflect on their responsibilities and rights as creators in the online spaces where they consume, create, and share information. Read more about this topic on the Common Sense Education website.

Today, we live in a world overflowing with digital media and technology. All of us -- adults and kids -- have constant access to real-time information from around the globe. But do the benefits of being ever-connected also come with risks to our mental health? It's an important question to ask -- especially for our kids. Our Media Balance & Well-Being lessons give students the space to reflect on their own media use. Plus, they'll get the tools they need to think critically about how digital media affects our communities and society overall.  Read more about this topic on the Common Sense Education website.

In a time of 24/7 connectivity, do the benefits of online sharing outweigh the risks? Lessons will prompt students to consider how sharing information online can affect them and others and will support them in learning to reflect before they reveal, as well as encourage others to do the same. Students will also learn the pros and cons of having different personae and explore how presenting themselves differently online can affect their sense of self, their reputations, and their relationships. Read more about this topic on the Common Sense Education website.

As the line between online and offline continues to blur, students will reflect on how they can use intrapersonal and interpersonal skills to build and strengthen positive online communication and communities. Lessons on this topic will explore common digital stressors and their influences on relationships. Students will also gain an understanding of how to communicate effectively online and how and why some topics and conversations can best lend themselves to certain mediums. Read more about this topic on the Common Sense Education website.

Lessons on this topic will teach students about the effects of digital drama, cyberbullying, and hate speech on both themselves and their larger communities. They will explore the roles people play and how individual actions -- negative and positive, intentional and unintentional -- can affect their peers and their broader communities. They are encouraged to take the active role of upstander and build positive, supportive online communities, and they will learn how to cultivate empathy, compassion, and courage to combat negative interactions online. Read more about this topic on the Common Sense Education website.

This topic introduces students to the concept of online privacy and the potential implications of sharing private information with a range of people: friends, the public, app providers, and more. Sharing information about yourself can be a natural and healthy activity, and it can lead to positive connections and personal growth. However, it can also present safety risks, and students need to be aware of potentially harmful consequences such as identity theft and financial exploitation. Read more about this topic on the Common Sense Education website.