CyberSmart! : Lesson Plans : Speak Out

Speak Out

Download Student Activity Sheet(s) for printout in PDF Format

Overview
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.

Objectives

		Explain how the Internet makes it easier to be a good citizen
		Explain how to use E-mail to communicate with community leaders
		Recall safety rules for protecting private information when using Web mail

ISTE^® National Technology Standards

Performance Indicators # 2, 3 and 6

Site Preview

		Congressional Email Directory
		U.S. House of Representatives

Online Resources

Visit sites providing background information on Cyber Citizenship.

Materials

		Activity sheets (1)
		Online computer access
		Printer access

Introduce (offline)

		Have students brainstorm specific problems affecting their community, region, or country (for example, problems related to hunger, homelessness, unemployment, crime, water shortages, or air pollution).
		Ask: If you could choose one problem to do something about, which one would it be? Have the class select one problem.

Teach 1 (online)

		Distribute Activity Sheet 1 and read and discuss the page. Have students check each step as they complete it.
		Take students to www.becybersmart.org and click on the triangle. Find the title of this lesson, and open its links. Choose a site to explore with the class.
		Guide students to locate the names and E-mail addresses of their elected officials, helping them decide which one to contact.

Teach 2 (online)

As a class, compose a letter to the selected official, describing the problem or issue chosen. Add supporting details about how the problem affects their community. Include what the class thinks should be done to help resolve the issue.

Teach 3 (online)

		Have one student enter the text of the letter as an E-mail message. This may be done at the site provided or by using the E-mail software your school provides. Remind students never to give out private information in cyberspace without permission of their parent or teacher. Use your name and E-mail address to represent the class so that students do not have to submit private identity information.
		Describe the process of writing an elected official before the Web was available (going to the library to find the names of officials and research current legislation, obtaining officials' correct addresses, typing letters, obtaining postage and envelopes, and so on). Have students compare that process to using the Web.
		Tell students that most elected officials will reply to mail, but that it may take several weeks. Show students the reply when it arrives.

Close (offline)

		Ask: How does the Internet make it easier to be a good citizen?
		Ask: What steps do you take to E-mail an elected official?
		Ask: What should you do if a site asks for private information?

Extend (online)
The following activity can be added for students who completed this lesson in a previous grade.

Have students use the same Web site to locate a newspaper or other media in their community and compose a letter to the editor about an issue important to them.