Digital Citizenship: Think Before You Post

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Study Skills and Advisory · Study Hall / Advisory / SEL
SP-STUDY-010 · Free to print and use in your classroom · substituteplans.com
Page 2
Digital Citizenship: Think Before You Post
Study Skills and Advisory · Study Hall / Advisory / SEL · Grades 9-12 · 50 minutes
Time needed
50 minutes (one class period)
Prep
Copy the 2-page worksheet (one per student). No board work needed.
Technology
None. Students should NOT use phones or computers for this lesson.
Student
independence
High. Students work alone, then compare with a partner.
Copies to make
One 2-page worksheet per student
Materials
Pencils, Worksheet
Goal for today: Students will explain what a digital footprint is, judge online scenarios as safe or risky with reasons,
and write personal guidelines for posting.
Before the bell
☐ Copy the worksheet, one per student (2 pages).
☐ Remind students that phones stay put away, because this lesson is done on paper.
☐ Keep the answer key on your desk. The scenario table has sample answers.
Say this to start
Good morning! Today is about being smart and kind online. Almost everyone posts, messages or shares something
sooner or later, and what we share can last. You will read a short article, make decisions about realistic situations, and
write your own rules for posting. You do not need to share any real accounts or personal information with anyone.
Run of show
Minutes
What you do
What students do
0–5
Take attendance. Hand out the worksheet. Tell students
that phones and computers are not needed.
Settle in and look over the worksheet.
5–13
Ask students to read the passage silently. Then ask: “What
is one thing that can stay online after you delete it?” Take
one or two quick answers.
Read the passage and underline one idea
that surprised them.
13–22
Tell students to answer questions 1–3 (multiple choice) and
4–7 (true/false).
Choose answers alone.
22–32
Tell students to fill in the Scenario Sort table: for each row,
write Post, Do not post, or Ask first, and give a reason. Let
partners compare quietly.
Decide each scenario and write a reason.
32–40
Tell students to complete the fill-in-the-blank questions
8–11 using the word bank.
Fill in each blank with a word from the
bank.
40–50
Tell students to write questions 12 and 13. Read the
multiple-choice and true/false answers from the key if time
allows. Collect all worksheets.
Write their own posting rules and a
response plan. Hand in the worksheet.

SubstitutePlans.com
Study Skills and Advisory · Study Hall / Advisory / SEL
SP-STUDY-010 · Free to print and use in your classroom · substituteplans.com
Page 3
If things go wrong
• If students argue about a specific app or person, bring them back: “We are talking about choices, not about
particular sites or people.”
• If a student uses a phone, remind them quietly that the lesson is on paper and ask them to put it away.
• If a student mentions being treated badly online, listen briefly and keep the class moving. If a student shares
something that worries you, follow your school’s reporting procedure and tell the office right away.
• If students ask whether something is allowed at school, say that the school handbook decides and your job
today is the paper activity.
Early finishers
• Write a five-word slogan that reminds people to think before they post.
• Write a message you could send to a friend who accidentally shared something private.
Support and challenge
• Support: Allow students to answer only the first four rows of the Scenario Sort and tell them the word bank
has everything they need for questions 8–11.
• Challenge: Ask students to explain how a single post could affect three different groups of people (the poster,
the friend and a stranger who sees it).
Notes for the teacher (you fill this in)
Jot a few lines before you leave. A full Daily Sub Report is in the free Sub Survival Kit at SubstitutePlans.com.
How far the class got / what to pick up next:
Students who were especially helpful:
Anything the teacher should know: