3rd-5th

Our Online Tracks

with Common Sense Education

Essential Question

Warm Up: Follow That Track

Explain to students that this is a fossil. Fossils are parts of an animal that are saved and preserved in the earth for millions of years.

These images are both examples of how animals leave imprints on their world, even after they're gone. We can learn things about animals based on those imprints. In some cases, like with fossils, those imprints last forever. What about humans? What imprints do we leave on the world?

Invite students to share out their responses. Answers may include our bones, our footprints, buildings, etc.

In addition to the physical footprints we leave on the earth, we also leave a footprint when we're online. And that footprint, just like a fossil, can tell a lot about us and can last for a very long time. This is called a digital footprint, and it is a record of what we do online, including the sites we visit and the things we post. It can also include things that others post, like pictures of us or comments about us. Not everything in our footprint is under our control.

Analyze: Feet's Footprint

Have students complete the handout. They can work individually or you can complete it together.

For the last two scenarios, clarify that although Feet has control over whether they plays the video game and hangs out with friends, Feet does not have control over whether the top scorers and the photo get posted.

Feet's digital footprint tells us a lot about them, and it involves things that are both in and out of their control. Their footprint is like a fossil in that it will last for a very long time. Even if they try to delete the activity, it will still be stored somewhere and be accessible to someone.

Evaluate: On Your Honor

Given that our digital footprints last a long time and that we're not always in control of what becomes part of our footprint, there are some responsibilities we have when it comes to being online. A responsibility is something that we should think about before we act. In this case, we have a responsibility to ourselves and to others before we do something online.

Consider these questions and then discuss together. Use this chart to write down the ideas brought up.

Check For Understanding

If you'd like to allow students to complete an online quiz to check their understanding of the lesson, join the Google Classroom here to do so. You can use this Google Classroom for all digital citizenship quizzes throughout the unit.

If you have questions about this or need help joining, email nlcollins@qsd48.org.

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