Grade 3 · Health Education
Quarter 3 · Week 7 · TEKS
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This lesson teaches Grade 3 students how to identify appropriate people to communicate with and what information is safe to share in digital and online environments. It also covers the consequences of cyberbullying and inappropriate online behavior to promote safe and responsible digital citizenship.
Students should understand basic concepts of personal safety and respect in face-to-face communication and have some experience using digital devices or online platforms under supervision.
Appropriate communication in digital and online environments means talking or sharing information only with people who are safe and trusted. Trusted people include family members, close friends, teachers, or other adults the student knows well. Students should avoid communicating with strangers or people they do not know personally online because it can be unsafe.
Safe information to share online includes general things like favorite hobbies, school subjects, or pets. Personal information such as full name, home address, phone number, passwords, or school name should never be shared because it can put the student at risk. Students should learn to recognize private information and keep it confidential.
Cyberbullying means using digital tools like messages, posts, or videos to hurt or embarrass someone. It can cause feelings of sadness, fear, or loneliness and may lead to serious emotional harm. Inappropriate online usage, such as sharing private information or being mean to others, can lead to loss of trust, punishment from parents or school, and harm to relationships. Understanding these consequences helps students make safer choices online.
Teachers should model respectful and safe communication by demonstrating how to respond politely and protect privacy online. Role-playing scenarios where students practice deciding who to communicate with and what to share helps reinforce learning. Discussing real-life examples makes the lesson relatable and memorable.
A student receives a message from someone they do not know asking for their home address. What should the student do?
The student should not share their home address because it is private information. They should tell a trusted adult and not respond to the stranger.
The student should keep their address private, not reply, and tell a trusted adult.
A friend sends a mean message to another student online. What are some consequences of this cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying can make the person feel sad, scared, or lonely. It can hurt their feelings and cause problems at school or home.
The person being bullied may feel sad or scared, and it can cause emotional harm and trouble in relationships.
Begin the lesson by asking students if they have ever talked to someone online or used a digital device to communicate. Discuss briefly what kinds of people they might talk to online and why some people might not be safe to talk to.
Students share their experiences or ideas about online communication and list people they think are safe to talk to online.
This activity activates prior knowledge and sets the stage for understanding appropriate communication in digital environments.
Present scenario cards showing different online communication situations. Guide students to discuss if the communication is appropriate and what information is being shared.
In small groups or pairs, students analyze each scenario and decide if the communication is safe and appropriate, explaining their reasoning.
This hands-on exploration helps students apply concepts of safe communication and appropriate information sharing in realistic contexts.
Explain clearly who is appropriate to communicate with online and what information should be shared or kept private. Discuss what cyberbullying is and the consequences it can have on people.
Students listen and take notes or draw pictures representing safe online communication and the effects of cyberbullying.
Direct explanation clarifies key concepts and vocabulary, reinforcing understanding of safe digital citizenship.
Lead a role-play activity where students practice responding to different online situations, such as receiving a message from a stranger or witnessing cyberbullying.
Students act out scenarios demonstrating safe communication choices and ways to respond to cyberbullying or inappropriate messages.
Role-playing helps students internalize safe behaviors and develop skills to handle challenging online situations.
Ask students to explain or demonstrate who is appropriate to communicate with online and what information is safe to share. Have them describe consequences of cyberbullying and inappropriate online use through a short quiz, discussion, or exit ticket.
Students answer questions or complete a brief task showing their understanding of safe online communication and cyberbullying consequences.
Assessment confirms students have learned the key skills and concepts from the lesson.
In small groups or pairs, students analyze each scenario and decide if the communication is safe and appropriate, explaining their reasoning.
Who is an appropriate person to communicate with in digital and online environments?
A trusted adult like a parent, teacher, or a close family member.
What is an example of appropriate information to share online?
Sharing your favorite hobby or a pet's name, but not your home address or phone number.
What is cyberbullying?
Using digital messages or posts to hurt or embarrass someone.
What are some consequences of cyberbullying?
It can make people feel sad, scared, or lonely and cause emotional harm.
What should you do if a stranger asks for your private information online?
Do not share the information and tell a trusted adult.
Provide sentence starters for students to explain who is safe to talk to and what information is private. Use visual aids and pictures to illustrate safe and unsafe online behaviors. Allow students to work in pairs or small groups for discussions and role-plays.
Use simple language and repeat key vocabulary with pictures. Provide bilingual glossaries for key terms like cyberbullying and privacy. Encourage peer support and use gestures to explain concepts.
Challenge students to create their own scenarios of safe and unsafe online communication. Have students explain the consequences of cyberbullying in their own words. Encourage students to develop a personal digital safety plan.
Encourage students to talk with their family about safe online communication and to identify trusted adults they can talk to if they have concerns about online interactions.
In this lesson, students learned to identify who is safe to communicate with in digital and online environments and what information is appropriate to share. They also explored the harmful effects of cyberbullying and the importance of making safe and responsible choices online. By practicing these skills, students become better digital citizens who protect themselves and others while using technology.
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