Preparation Instructions for Students

Introduction

This post outlines what second grade students should do to be ready for our lesson on Digital Citizenship and Social Media Safety.  Students will be learning how to safely and respectfully use digital tools as part of our social studies unit.  These instructions help ensure everyone is prepared to participate, explore, and collaborate in a safe online environment.

What Students Should Know Before the Lesson

• The internet is a tool that helps us learn, communicate, and have fun, but we must use it wisely.
• Not all information online is safe or true.
• People online should be treated with the same respect we give to others in real life.
• Social media (e.g. YouTube or Facebook) lets us share, but we must think before we post.

What Students Should Do Before the Lesson

1. Talk with a Parent or Guardian: ask your parents what rules they have about using the internet and social media.
2. Bring your laptop or device charged: students will be exploring an age-appropriate multimedia poster and completing an online safety activity.
3. Be Ready to Share: Think of a time you saw or used the internet to learn something new.  Be ready to share that with a partner.
4. Review Our Digital Citizenship Pledge: We will be creating a class pledge during the lesson, so start thinking of ways to be respectful and safe online.

Activity 1: Product Use + Digital Safety

 Introduction

This activity teaches students how to use a blog post to respond to a social studies prompt while learning about how to stay safe when using social media tools.  The class will discuss safety rules, practice respectful online communication, and learn how to share ideas online in a safe and appropriate way.  This activity builds digital citizenship skills while helping students express their learning in social studies.

Steps for the Activity

1. Whole Group Mini-Lesson:

• The teacher reads a short story or shows a short video on digital safety (e.g. protecting personal information, being respectful online).

• Discuss a class what students should do and NOT do when using blogs or other online tools.

     2. Class Anchor Chart

• As a class, make an anchor chart titled "Our Digital Safety Rules" to hang in the classroom or display on the smartboard.

• Include rules such as Don't share your full name, school, address, or photos without permission, Be kind when commenting.  Ask for help if something online makes you uncomfortable.

      3. Student Writing Prompt (Using Blog or Class Tool)

• Prompt: "What is one way to be safe when using the internet or social media? Why is that important?

• Students write short responses (2-3 sentences) on paper or a shared digital space 

     4. Think-Pair-Share

• Students turn and talk to a partner to share their answer, then a few pairs share with the class.

Digital Tool Used

Class blog (e.g. Google Doc/Padlet) where the teacher can post a few anonymous or sample student responses (with permission) to model digital publishing

Digital Citizenship Connection

This activity gives students a hands-on opportunity to learn about online safety and how to interact responsibly in digital environments. It also teaches students that blogs and social tools are for learning, not for sharing personal information.

Activity 2: Sharing with Digital Responsibility

 Introduction

This activity helps students learn how to share their ideas responsibly and respectfully in a digital environment. Students will create a simple social studies project about community helpers and learn how to comment positively on their classmates’ work. The focus is on understanding how our words affect others online and how to be responsible when using digital tools.

Steps for the Activity

1. Mini lesson on Respectful Sharing

• The teacher models what a respectful digital comment looks like.
• Display two examples on the board: one respectful and one not appropriate.
• Discuss: What makes a comment kind and helpful?
• Create a short list of “Digital Commenting Rules”.

     2. Student Activity - "My Community Helper" Post:

• Students draw or write about a community helper (e.g., firefighter, teacher, mail carrier).
• Each student adds a short sentence about how their helper supports the community.
• Students upload their drawing and sentence to a private class blog space (e.g. classdojo)

     3. Think-Pair-Share Comments

• Students pair up and practice giving a kind comment on their partner’s work.

Digital Tool Used

• Class blog, Padlet, Seesaw, or digital slideshow

Digital Citizenship Connection:

This activity builds digital empathy and responsibility by teaching students how to respond to others online with kindness and respect. Students also practice recognizing how digital communication can affect others.

Assessment: Community Helpers and Digital Responsibility

 Introduction

This post describes how students will be assessed on their learning from the lesson. The assessment focuses on two key areas: understanding community helpers and demonstrating safe and respectful behavior when using digital tools. The assessment methods are designed to be age-appropriate, engaging, and aligned with the goals of second-grade learning.

What Students Will Be Assessed On

1. Social Studies Understanding

• Can the student identify a community helper and explain their role?
• Does the student’s work reflect basic knowledge of how community helpers support the community?

     2. Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

• Can the student explain one or two rules for safe and respectful behavior online?
• Did the student make a respectful and thoughtful comment on a classmate’s work (in person or digitally)?

Assessment Tools and Methods

1. Teacher Observation Checklist

• Used during Think-Pair-Share and digital commenting.
• Checks for respectful language, listening, and thoughtful responses.

      2. Student Work Sample (Drawing or Sentence)

• Reviewed for understanding of a community helper’s role.
• Neatness, effort, and basic grammar may also be considered.

     3. 3-point scale rubric

• 3 - met expectations
• 2 - approaching expectations
• 1 - needs more practice

Multimedia Elements in Our Social Media Safety Lesson

 Introduction

This post features two multimedia elements integrated into the social studies lesson, Digital Citizenship in 2nd Grade Social Studies. These tools help students explore digital safety while building communication and critical thinking skills.

Digital Safety Podcast

Students will listen to a short, kid-friendly podcast episode called “Be Internet Awesome” by Google. It discusses how to stay safe online, including tips about privacy, passwords, and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right.

Link to Podcast

How it is used

Students will listen as a class and then turn and talk with a partner about one new thing they learned and how they can use it. This will lead into a group discussion about digital safety rules.

Social Media Safety Mind Map

Students will help the teacher create a collaborative mind map (on chart paper or using a digital tool like Popplet or Canva) titled “Ways We Can Stay Safe Online.”

Mind Map - Popplet

How it’s used:

The final version of the mind map will be hung in the classroom or posted to a class blog as a reminder of safe online habits.

Summary

These multimedia tools support student learning by reinforcing key digital citizenship concepts through engaging and interactive formats. They help students practice using technology safely, creatively, and responsibly.

One-Page School-Wide Policy: Social Media Use for Elementary Students

 Introduction

This post includes a one-page school-wide policy that outlines how social media should be used responsibly in an elementary school setting. It supports digital safety, responsible communication, and respectful online behavior while addressing consequences for misuse.

Purpose

To ensure that social media is used safely and responsibly as part of classroom learning and communication.

Acceptable Use Guidelines

• Students may use approved digital platforms (e.g., Seesaw, Nearpod, Flip) only under teacher supervision.

• Students may post assignments, comment respectfully, and collaborate through approved classroom tools.

• Social media tools may only be used for educational purposes as directed by the teacher.

Digital Safety Expectations

• Do not share your full name, address, school name, or personal photos without permission.
• Use kind words and treat others with respect online.
• Report any inappropriate behavior or messages to your teacher immediately.
• Log out when you’re finished using a shared device.

Unacceptable Behavior

• Bullying, teasing, or mean comments
• Sharing personal information or someone else’s work without permission
• Logging into someone else’s account
• Using social media tools without teacher permission

Consequences

Depending on the severity of the violation, students may face:

• A verbal warning and reteaching of expectation
• Loss of privileges for using digital tools
• Parent contact
• Behavior referral to the principal

Teacher and Parent Involvement

• Teachers will model appropriate use and monitor student activity.
• Parents will be informed of any major incidents and will receive guidelines for supporting safe digital use at home.

Closing Note

This policy is designed to support a safe and respectful learning environment, both in person and online. It complements our focus on digital citizenship across all classrooms.