Curriculum

Lessons by Grade Level

Grades 6-8

Free to educators, the CyberSmart! Student Curriculum empowers students to use the Internet safely, responsibly, and effectively.

Safety and Security

Lesson Title	Lesson Overview	Codes^*
Private and Personal Information^Updated!	Students learn they can converse and share ideas and opinions with others in cyberspace. They adopt a critical thinking process that empowers them to protect themselves and their families as they visit sites requesting private identity information.
Savvy Online Talk and Messaging^Updated!	Students explore the benefits of online talk and messaging and consider scenarios in which they might feel uncomfortable or be asked to give away private identity information. They identify situations in which flirting and sexual talk is risky and discuss safety rules to apply online.
Protecting Private Identity Information	Educators have asked us why this lesson is no longer part of the CyberSmart! Student Curriculum. The reason: We've replaced it with several new and updated lessons that address the latest research related to protecting private identity information in greater depth. If you used this lesson to explore password security with your students, consider a newer lesson called Strong Passwords. If you used this lesson to review the various types of private identity information, consider the updated Private and Personal Information. In our update we've addressed the most recent recommendations for preventing identity theft—yes, even kids have their identities stolen. If you used this lesson to help students avoid unwanted sexual solicitations, the latest research shows that revealing private identity information online does not put youths at greater risk, but that flirting or talking about sex with people they meet online does. Our updated lesson, called Savvy Online Talk and Messaging, addresses this issue.
Smart, Safe, and Secure Online^Updated!	Students consider some security challenges related to e-mail, instant messaging, and free downloads—spam, malware attachments, electronic chain letters, and phishing—discussing ways of handling them safely and responsibly. Then they create cartoons and comics to educate others about cyber security.
Strong Passwords^New!	Students learn how to create secure passwords in order to protect their private information and accounts online.
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.

Manners, Cyberbullying, & Ethics

Lesson Title	Lesson Overview	Codes^*
Cyberbullying: Not a Pretty Picture^New!	Students explore a scenario in which a friendly relationship turns to a bullying one involving cell phones and computers. Then they create a glossary of abbreviations that will give contextual clues to text messages.
Cyberbullying: Who, Me? Why Should I Care?^New!	Students explore the roles and responsibilities of bystanders to cyberbullying. Then they develop a plan for peer mentoring to prevent cyberbullying situations.
Cyberbullying: Crossing the Line^New!	Students learn that when cyberbullying includes threats to safety, they must involve trusted adults. They develop a plan to enable students to report cyberbullying to school authorities anonymously.
Dealing With Cyberbullying^Updated!	Students reflect on the rewards of cyberspace, consider how to respond to cyberbullying scenarios, and learn how to take action when confronted with online situations that make them uncomfortable.
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).
Considering Copying	Students consider possible ways to copy others' works using the Internet and learn that many forms of copying are illegal or unethical.
Can You Hack It?	Students learn that computers and electronic files are property and explore the reasons for, consequences, and ethics of teen hacking.
Good Messaging Manners	Students learn guidelines for good manners in cyberspace, including tips for E-mail, instant messages, chat, and message boards.

Authentic Learning and Creativity

Lesson Title	Lesson Overview	Codes^*
Using Real-time Data	Students use a guide to locate quantitative and qualitative real-time data on the Internet, develop essential questions, plan collaboration, identify an audience, and decide how to communicate the results of their investigation.

Research and Information Fluency

Lesson Title	Lesson Overview	Codes^*
Investigating Search Engines and Directories	Students learn how search engines, directories, and meta-search engines work and compare and contrast their features.
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 advanced search strategies offered at most search 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.
How to Cite a Site	Students learn how to write bibliographic citations for online sources following the style recommended by the Modern Language Association.
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.
Sticky Sites	Students explore why and how commercial Web sites attempt to attract and keep visitors.

Twenty-First Century Challenges

Lesson Title	Lesson Overview	Codes^*
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.
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.
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.
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.

No computer required =
Optional Web 2.0 tool activity =
Internet connection required =