CMLE and many of our member school libraries are big fans of the site Common Sense Education. And we also recognize the importance of learning good digital citizenship and literacy! One of our fantastic school library members shared that the FREE digital citizenship curriculum provided by Common Sense Education has been very well-received at her school. So we wanted to make sure you know about this resource in case it may be useful to you!

Today we’ll focus on the lessons available for grades K-2. Our world is increasingly online so it’s important for young kids to have digital citizenship skills, too! We love that each of these grade levels includes an introductory song, and also lets educators know up front the time length of each lesson.

Kindergarteners get to learn about balancing media activities with their real-life surroundings. Students learn about the importance of taking breaks when using devices. (This can be a challenge even for grown-ups!) There is also a lesson about transitions from an online activity to one that is offline, as students learn self-regulation and how to be respectful to those around them. And finally, through a virtual field trip, students learn about staying safe while traveling online, just like we stay safe while traveling in the real world.
All of these lessons include slides, a video, handout or coloring sheet, and a take-home family activity.

First-graders get a lesson in learning to pause and think before acting online, another essential skill! Just like in real life, students get to learn to be responsible and respectful when interacting online. There is also a lesson on learning to recognize the way technology makes you feel. Students get to play a game that develops strategies for managing feelings while online. Finally, through a traffic light activity, students get to learn about safety and privacy online, and when to ask for help when they are unsure about a website.

Second-graders start to get more in-depth with a variety of lesson topics. Students learn what information is ok to share online and what is not safe to share, and they also research and compare digital footprints while considering their own online identity. There are also lessons about the importance of enjoying time without devices, behavior when encountering cyberbullying, and learning to credit online sources.

We’ll look at more grades in the weeks ahead. Happy learning!