CyberSmart! : Lesson Plans and Activity Sheets

Educators share how they use the CyberSmart! Curriculum.

Grades K-1 | Grades 2-3 | Grades 4-5 | Grades 6-8

Table Grid alternative view of same info

Teacher Lesson Plans printable by grade level

Student Activity Sheets printable by grade level

Quick Audio-Visual Overview of Lesson Units

Curriculum Fact Sheet (PDF)

= Internet connection required

= No computer needed

We encourage schools to consider The CyberSmart! Curriculum because it covers all aspects of responsible and effective technology use in a package that is easy for all teachers to use in the classroom. We applaud CyberSmart! for taking the initiative to addresss appropriate computer and Internet use with a professionally developed curriculum.

Ann Flynn, Ed.D., Director, Education Technology, National School Boards Association

Grades K-1

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	Safety:	Private Identity Information Go Places Safely Children go on a virtual field trip and learn that, just as when traveling in the face-to-face world, they should always take an adult with them when traveling in cyberspace.
	Manners:	Computer Ethics Is this yours? Children learn that computers, like other objects, are property and should be respected.
	Advertising:	Recognizing Commercial Intentions Find the Ad Children learn that the purpose of advertisements is to encourage people to buy something; children also practice differentiating ads from content on Web sites.
	Research:	The Nuts and Bolts of Searching A-B-C Searching Children search for animal pictures online by clicking letters of the alphabet. They then print the pictures and, in an offline activity, color them and arrange a display. Evaluating Web Sites Good Sites Children explore and evaluate a children's Web site, concluding that people's opinions about the quality and usefulness of a site will vary. What about the library? The Library Children learn that the library houses many forms of media for both research and leisure activities. They also learn that an important resource in the library is the librarian.
	Technology:	Communications Spread the News! Children learn what it means to communicate, recognize the computer as a communication invention, and plan their own way to communicate a message. What is Cyberspace? Cyberspace at School Children explore the concept of cyberspace as a means of communicating with real people within their school.

Grades 2-3

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	Safety:	Private Identity Information What's private? Children learn about the power of the Internet to facilitate collaboration among students worldwide. While co-writing a story online, students learn an important safety rule: Before sharing private information in cyberspace, they must get permission from a parent or teacher.
	Manners:	Computer Ethics Whose property is this? Students extend their understanding of "property" to include not only computer equipment but also the work of others, and then discuss rules for respecting such property. Netiquette Good Manners Everywhere Students discuss good manners in the face-to-face world and learn some dos and don'ts for using E-mail in cyberspace.
	Advertising:	Recognizing Commercial Intentions Things for Sale Students learn that some Web sites are advertising environments intended to promote good feelings about products. Privacy Filling Out a Form - Ask First Students learn that many Web sites have enticing offers in exchange for information and discuss how to responsibly handle such offers.
	Research:	Search Engines and Directories Subject Category Searching Selecting subject categories is one of two main search tools used on the Internet. Students learn how to best select subject categories in a directory and explore the concept of narrowing their search. The Nuts and Bolts of Searching Using Keywords Keyword searching is an effective way to locate information on the World Wide Web. Students learn how to select keywords to produce the best search results. Evaluating Web Sites Finding Good Sites Students explore, evaluate, and compare several children's informational Web sites, and conclude that people's opinions about the quality and usefulness of sites will vary. What about the library? Ask a Librarian Students learn the library is the best place to begin research, because the librarian can help them find information in all kinds of media.
	Technology:	Communications What's the big idea? Students recognize people's need and desire to communicate as they describe and classify past and present communications inventions. What is Cyberspace? My Cyberspace Neighborhood Students explore the concept of cyberspace as a means of connecting people and explain how the ability to communicate can unite a neighborhood.

Grades 4-5

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	Safety:	Private Identity Information Private Information By examining and identifying actual online requests for private information, students learn to apply the same safety rules in cyberspace as they use when encountering strangers in the face-to-face world. CyberPals Safety with Cyberpals Students learn that they can develop rewarding online relationships, but should never reveal private identity information to a person they know only in cyberspace. Feeling Comfortable Be Comfortable Students consider some online scenarios and examine their personal comfort levels. They learn to recognize feelings of discomfort and responsibly manage their actions in cyberspace. Chat and Message Safety Safe Talking in Cyberspace Students explore positive aspects of online chatting and messaging, consider a potentially uncomfortable scenario, and learn to apply safety rules that protect their private identity information. E-mail Safety Handling E-mail and IM too! Students consider the positive uses of E-mail and IM and identify safety strategies for responsibly managing unsolicited messages.
	Manners:	Cyber Citizenship Citizens of CyberSpace Students learn that Internet users are citizens of a global community with the power to share ideas with people around the world. Understand Your Acceptable Use Policy Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) contracts encourage responsible behavior by students and staff and give administrators enforceable rules for acceptable use of school computers. Students will interpret and make inferences about their school's AUP. Speak Out Students learn that, as citizens of their country, they have a responsibility to speak out on important issues and that the Internet provides easy ways to do so. Respecting the Law Whose is it anyway? Students learn that, although the Internet makes it very easy, copying others' work and presenting it as one's own is unethical. They also learn about circumstances in which it is permissible to copy others' work. Computer Ethics Do the Right Thing Students learn that they should apply the same ethical principles in cyberspace that guide them in face-to-face situations. Netiquette Good E-mail Manners Students learn good manners dos and don'ts when sending E-mail.
	Advertising:	Recognizing Commercial Intentions A Place to Advertise Students explore how some Web sites are designed as advertising environments to entertain visitors while promoting advertisers' brands and products. Privacy Privacy Rules! Students learn that children's Web sites must protect their private information, and look for privacy policies and privacy seals of approval.
	Research:	Search Engines and Directories Choosing a Search Site Through online observations, students record and compare the features of four children's search sites. They then construct a lift-the-flap poster that will guide them in selecting appropriate search sites. Evaluating Web Sites Rating Web Sites Students discuss and apply criteria for rating informational Web sites, compare their results, and infer that all Web sites are not equally good sources of research information. Homework Help Homework Help in a Hurry Students learn strategies for getting immediate help with their homework, including going online with an adult to homework help search services and reference databases. E-mailing for Homework Help Students visit sites where, with a parent or guardian, they can ask a homework question and receive an answer from an expert over the Internet. They find out that such personalized help takes time and is not suitable if they need an immediate answer. What about the library? What's at the Library Students learn that libraries offer easy-to-use resources for researching a topic for a school report.
	Technology:	Communications Great Communicators Students consider great communications inventions, including the Internet, and assess advantages and disadvantages of each. What is Cyberspace? Cyberspace Country Students contrast cyberspace with actual and fantasy places, learning that cyberspace is where real people connect using computers and real experiences take place. They then visually express their conception of the geography of cyberspace in the U.S. How does the Internet work? What is a network? Students model a network and learn that the Internet consists of many computer networks that are able to communicate with one another. Into the Future Imagining the Future Students are presented with emerging computer and Internet technologies, and predict how such changes might directly affect the lives of kids in the future.

Grades 6-8

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	Safety:	Private Identity Information Private and Personal Information Students learn they can converse and share ideas and opinions with others in cyberspace. They adopt a critical thinking process to protect themselves as they visit sites requesting private identity information. Protecting Private Identify Information Students review examples of private identity information and recall the safety rule about giving out such information in cyberspace. They also explore private identity information in the context of selecting passwords and look at some students' personal Web sites, evaluating how well each protects or reveals private identity information. CyberPals Play it Safe with Cyberpals Exploring the concept of anonymity in cyberspace, students learn that cyberpals remain strangers to them and that they must ask a parent or guardian before revealing private identity information or planning to meet. Feeling Comfortable Dealing with Online Bullies Students reflect on the rewards of cyberspace and then consider bullying scenarios in which they examine their personal comfort levels. They learn to recognize such feelings and responsibly handle the unacceptable behavior of others. Chat and Message Safety Savvy Talk Students explore the benefits of online chatting and messaging and consider scenarios in which they might feel uncomfortable or, inadvertently, give away private identity information. They discuss safety rules to apply when sending message in cyberspace. E-mail Safety Smart E-mailing and IMing too! Students consider the challenges of using E-mail and IM, discussing ways of handling them safely and responsibly.
	Manners:	Cyber Citizenship Power and Responsibility Students consider the power of the Internet to disseminate positive and negative ideas of individuals, as well as large organizations. They relate the privileges and responsibilities of cyber citizenship to their school's Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). Respecting the Law Considering Copying Students consider possible ways to copy others' works using the Internet and learn that many forms of copying are illegal or unethical. Computer Ethics Can You Hack It? Students learn that computers and electronic files are property and explore the reasons for, consequences, and ethics of teen hacking. Netiquette Good Messaging Manners Students learn guidelines for good manners in cyberspace, including tips for E-mail, instant messages, chat, and message boards.
	Advertising:	Recognizing Commercial Intentions Sticky Sites Students explore why and how commercial Web sites attempt to attract and keep visitors. Privacy Check the Privacy Policy Students evaluate Web site privacy policies with a checklist based on Federal Trade Commission rules for compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Privacy - What's the big deal? Students explore the concept of privacy in their everyday lives and as it relates to visiting Web sites.
	Research:	Search Engines and Directories Investigating Search Engines and Directories Students learn how search engines, directories, and meta-search engines work and compare and contrast their features. The Nuts and Bolts of Searching Smart Keyword Searching When you know the specific information you need, keyword searching is the most effective method of searching on the World Wide Web. Students learn strategies to increase the accuracy of their search. They compare the number and kinds of sites obtained and make inferences about the effectiveness of the strategies. Making Search Decisions Students interpret some powerful decision-making tips to increase their searching efficiency and then apply them in school research scenarios. They also learn to look for advance search strategies offered at most search sites. Evaluating Web Sites Identifying High-Quality Sites Students learn that, because anyone can publish on the Web, they must carefully evaluate the sites they use for research. They review evaluation criteria and use a checklist to "grade" informational sites. Homework Help How to Cite a Site Students learn how to write bibliographic citations for online sources following the style recommended by the Modern Language Association. What about the library? Online @ the Library Students learn that there are often advantages to using the Internet from a school or public library and investigate the specific services offered by their own library.
	Technology:	Communications Great Moments in Communications Students assemble a timeline to understand how communications technology has evolved, and relate the invention of the Internet to earlier inventions. What is Cyberspace? Cyberspace World Students consider the concept of cyberspace as a place and learn that it can be defined as real people communicating through computers connected to the Internet. They create a map to visually represent that definition, taking into account the influences of population, language, and geography around the world. How does the Internet work? Information Highways Students model how information travels on the Internet and discover how the design of the Internet allows it to grow easily and never completely break down. Into the Future Debating the Future Students analyze social issues related to the future use of the Internet, decide if they agree or disagree with one another, and support their views in a debate.