Week 2 Lesson 4
CS + ME: The Power of Words
Today we will learn what to do when someone uses mean or hurtful language on the internet.
30 minutes
1 - UCSD Does (1 min)
2 - Warm Up (2 min)
3 - We Do (2 min)
4 - Turn & Talk (5 min)
5 - You Do (10 min)
6 - We Do (10 min)
The following lesson was originally published by Common Sense Media: The Power of Words
UCSD DOES
1
(1 min)
WARM UP
2
(2 min)
Imagine when you walked in, I said to you [in a friendly tone, with a big smile] "Hello!"
Which emoji would fit? Share by holding up fingers (1, 2, 3, or 4). If anyone holds up a number other than 1, can you share?
I will say hello differently this time: once with an angry tone and a scowl, and once with a nervous or scared tone.
Which emoji would fit? Share by holding up fingers (1, 2, 3, or 4). If anyone holds up a number other than 1, can you share?
What about if you're just reading it? How does it make you feel now?
WE DO
3
(2 min)
As a class, let's read the vocabulary below.
Because words can be interpreted differently by different people, it's important to think about the words we use and how they affect people.
We might say something just to be funny, but someone might take it seriously, and it might hurt their feelings.
This can happen in person, and it can also happen online. It may even happen more online, because the words are just text -- we're not actually face-to-face with other people.
Turn & TALK
4
(5 min)
Who has heard of the saying "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me"?
We're going to watch a video now called "The Power of Words." As we watch, continue to think about whether that statement is true or not.
Why do you think those other players said those things to Guts?
What does Guts do in response to the mean words?
Guts talked to someone he trusted, who was able to empathize with him and give him some good advice.
Let's review the acronym S-T-O-P for responding to mean words online.
you do
5
(10 min)
Read the story below:
Feet loves a website where you can play in a virtual world and chat with other players. Lately, Feet has been playing in a new area. They started receiving some mean messages from the other players.
Now work with a partner to answer the questions. Be ready to share with the class.
WE DO
6
(10 min)
There is string going across the length of the classroom. One half of the room is "OK." The other half is "Not OK."
Let's all start on the OK side of the line.
For each statement that is read, think about whether it would be OK or not to send that as a message to someone in a video game or as a comment.
If you think it's OK, move to or stay on the OK side.
Be prepared to share your thinking.
If you think it's not OK, move to or stay on the Not OK side.
What could you do if you received that message from someone?
If you're not sure, stand on top of the line.
If you think it's OK, move to or stay on the OK side.
Be prepared to share your thinking.
If you think it's not OK, move to or stay on the Not OK side.
What could you do if you received that message from someone?
If you're not sure, stand on top of the line.
If you think it's OK, move to or stay on the OK side.
Be prepared to share your thinking.
If you think it's not OK, move to or stay on the Not OK side.
What could you do if you received that message from someone?
If you're not sure, stand on top of the line.
If you think it's OK, move to or stay on the OK side.
Be prepared to share your thinking.
If you think it's not OK, move to or stay on the Not OK side.
What could you do if you received that message from someone?
If you're not sure, stand on top of the line.
If you think it's OK, move to or stay on the OK side.
Be prepared to share your thinking.
If you think it's not OK, move to or stay on the Not OK side.
What could you do if you received that message from someone?
If you're not sure, stand on top of the line.
Remember, kids like to go online to chat, watch videos, send messages, play games, and do homework. Sometimes people say mean or scary things.
Messages that make people feel bad cross the line.
Lesson Materials
Piece of String (to divide the room into 2 sections)
Lesson Quiz (Google Classroom Assignment, Quiz as text with answers highlighted)