Primary School Curriculum
This curriculum is designed to introduce primary school students to the fundamental concepts of digital literacy in a fun and engaging way. The focus is on building a strong foundation of critical thinking and responsible online behavior. The lessons are designed to be interactive and activity-based, using age-appropriate language and examples.
Module 1: Navigating the Digital World Safely
- Lesson 1: What is the Internet?
- Objective: To understand what the internet is and how it connects people and information.
- Activities: Create a classroom web of strings to represent the internet, draw pictures of what they think the internet looks like.
- Lesson 2: My Digital Footprint
- Objective: To understand that their online actions leave a lasting trail.
- Activities: Use a “digital footprint” worksheet where students trace their foot and write down online activities they do. Discuss how this footprint can be seen by others.
- Lesson 3: Keeping Personal Information Private
- Objective: To learn the importance of not sharing personal information online.
- Activities: Role-playing scenarios where students are asked for personal information online and practice saying “no” and telling a trusted adult.
Module 2: Thinking Critically About Online Information
- Lesson 1: Is it a Fact or an Opinion?
- Objective: To differentiate between factual statements and personal opinions.
- Activities: “Fact or Opinion?” game with statement cards, creating their own fact and opinion statements.
- Lesson 2: Super Source Sleuths
- Objective: To learn how to identify the source of online information.
- Activities: “Source Detective” activity with different websites and online content, creating a checklist for what makes a source trustworthy.
- Lesson 3: Spotting Fake News
- Objective: To recognize the characteristics of fake news and misinformation.
- Activities: Analyzing silly or obviously fake news headlines, creating their own “fake news” stories to understand how they are made.
Module 3: Being a Good Digital Citizen
- Lesson 1: Online Kindness and Respect
- Objective: To understand the importance of being kind and respectful to others online.
- Activities: Creating a “Kindness Pledge” for online interactions, discussing the impact of cyberbullying through stories and scenarios.
- Lesson 2: Teamwork and Collaboration Online
- Objective: To learn how to work together effectively in a digital environment.
- Activities: Collaborative online projects like creating a class blog or a digital storybook.
- Lesson 3: What to Do When Something Feels Wrong
- Objective: To know how to respond when they encounter something online that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
- Activities: Creating a “Safety Plan” with steps to take, such as telling a trusted adult, logging off, or blocking someone.