Elementary: Digital Citizenship Curriculum

What Students Learn: Students explore the importance of finding a healthy balance between using electronic devices and participating in offline activities like playing outside or reading.

Family Discussion Questions:

• Why is it important to have a balance between tablet time and playing outside?
• How do your eyes and body feel when you spend a long time looking at a screen?
• What is a fun activity we can do together as a family that doesn't use any screens?

What Students Learn: Students learn that usernames and passwords are like secret codes for a locked box that help keep their personal accounts and information safe online.

Family Discussion Questions:

• Why is your password like a secret code for a special toy box?
• Who are the only "trusted adults" you should share your passwords with?
• What might happen if someone else found out your secret password?

What Students Learn: Students discover that everything they do online leaves a permanent trace called a digital footprint and discuss how to make kind choices that build a positive reputation.

Family Discussion Questions:

• How is a "digital footprint" similar to footprints left in the sand?
• Why should we "think before we post" anything on the internet?
• What is one example of a kind or helpful comment you could leave online?

What Students Learn: Students identify sensitive data like full names, addresses, and birthdays, understanding that Personally Identifiable Information must be kept private to stay safe.

Family Discussion Questions:

• Can you name three pieces of information that we should never share with strangers online?
• Why is it unsafe to tell someone in an online game where you go to school?
• What should you do if a website asks for your phone number to win a free prize?

What Students Learn: Students learn to identify safe digital spaces by looking for features like age-appropriate content and parental controls, and they practice asking an adult when they are unsure.

Family Discussion Questions:

• What are some things that make a website "safe" for kids to use?
• Why should we be careful about clicking on ads that pop up while we are playing?
• If you want to try a new app or game, what should you do first?

What Students Learn: Students explore the importance of being cautious on social platforms, focusing on recognizing cyberbullying and using privacy settings to protect their personal information.

Family Discussion Questions:

• What is "cyberbullying," and what should you do if you see it happening?
• Why is it important to check and update your "privacy settings" regularly?
• What is the difference between having a "public" profile and a "private" one?

What Students Learn: Students learn the ethical importance of asking for permission before using someone else’s work (like music or art) or sharing photos and videos of others.

Family Discussion Questions:

• Why is it important to ask a friend for permission before posting a photo of them online?
• What are some consequences of using someone else's music or artwork without asking?
• How can you show respect to a creator when you use their work for a school project?

What Students Learn: Students learn how to be responsible for their technology by practicing maintenance habits like having clean hands, using two hands to carry devices, and storing them in safe places.

Family Discussion Questions:

• Why do we need to wash our hands before we touch a tablet or computer screen?
• Where is the "safe home" for your device when you are finished with it?
• Why should we always use two hands whenever we are carrying our school tools?

What Students Learn: Students learn to identify trusted adults and understand that asking for help is a sign of a smart digital citizen when they encounter technical problems or scary content.

Family Discussion Questions:

• What should you do if you see something on a screen that makes you feel scared or confused?
• Who are the "trusted adults" in our family that you can always go to for help?
• If a game or app stops working correctly, is it okay to ask for help right away?

What Students Learn: Students learn how to interact positively and constructively when working with others in digital spaces, focusing on listening to ideas and using respectful language.

Family Discussion Questions:

• What does it mean to "collaborate" with a classmate on a school project?
• How can you show respect if a partner has a different idea than yours in a group chat?
• Why is it important to treat people online with the same kindness you use in person?

What Students Learn: Students learn to find trustworthy information by selecting effective keywords and evaluating whether a website is a reliable source.

Family Discussion Questions:

• What are "keywords," and how do they help you find exactly what you are looking for?
• Why isn't every website on the internet necessarily true or trustworthy?
• What are some signs that a website is a "reliable source" for facts?

What Students Learn: Students learn to identify different digital tools and determine which one is best for a specific job, such as using a search engine for facts or a collaborative tool for group work.

Family Discussion Questions:

• If you were writing a story with a classmate, why would a collaborative tool be better than just a search engine?
• What is your favorite digital tool to use at school, and what task is it best for?
• How is picking the right digital tool like picking the right physical tool for a project?

What Students Learn: Students learn a step-by-step process for solving common technical issues, including staying calm, checking connections, and restarting their devices.

Family Discussion Questions:

• Why is "staying calm" the most important first step when technology isn't working?
• What are two things you can check yourself if your device won't connect to the internet?
• When is it time to stop trying to fix a technical problem on your own and find a trusted adult?

What Students Learn: Students are introduced to the core concepts of privacy and respect, learning to keep personal info safe and treat others kindly in digital environments.

Family Discussion Questions:

• What does "privacy" mean when we are using a computer or tablet?
• How can we show "respect" to our friends when we are playing games online?
• Why shouldn't we share a funny picture of someone else without asking them first?

What Students Learn: Students learn that their words and actions affect others online and practice using kind language while avoiding mean comments.

Family Discussion Questions:

• Why is it important to use "kind words" when sending messages to friends?
• If you wouldn't say something to a friend's face, should you type it in a message?
• How does a mean comment make someone feel, even if you aren't in the same room?

What Students Learn: Students understand the importance of being thoughtful of the feelings and needs of others in digital interactions, focusing on empathy and respectful behaviors.

Family Discussion Questions:

• What does it mean to be "considerate" to someone when you are online?
• Why should you always ask for permission before sharing a photo or video of a friend?
• What can you do if you notice someone being left out or treated unkindly in a digital group?

What Students Learn: Students learn to identify characteristics of reliable and accurate information, distinguishing between credible sources and those that might be misleading.

Family Discussion Questions:

• What does it mean for a source of information to be "credible"?
• Why are websites ending in .gov or .edu generally more trustworthy than random blogs?
• What should you do if you find information online that doesn't have an author or a date?

What Students Learn: Students learn about the legal rights of creators and why it is important to respect intellectual property, including understanding the concept of public domain.

Family Discussion Questions:

• What is "copyright," and how does it help your favorite authors or musicians?
• What does it mean if a book or song is in the "public domain"?
• Why is it important to give credit to a creator when we use their work for a project?

What Students Learn: Students identify where Artificial Intelligence (AI) appears in daily life and learn that it should be a "helper tool" that enhances—rather than replaces—their own critical thinking and creativity.

Family Discussion Questions:

• Where have you noticed AI working "behind the scenes" in your life, like in video recommendations or predictive text?
• Why is "critical thinking" a skill that AI can never replace?
• Is using AI to write your whole homework assignment a "responsible" use of the tool? Why or why not

Visit our AI Guidance page for more information and resources.