Cyber Savvy Lesson Plan Cyber Savvy Kids
Lesson Plan • Grade 5
30 Minutes
Objective
Students will learn to recognize online safety risks, protect their digital privacy, and practice secure, responsible internet behaviors through guided discussion and a collaborative board game.
Why This Matters
Strengthens internet safety skills—identifying risks like phishing and privacy breaches, reinforcing secure practices, and fostering responsible online citizenship to prepare for middle school tech environments.
Preparation
Review Slide Deck
Familiarize with Teacher Script
Print Discussion Handouts
Prepare Board Game materials
Check classroom internet devices
Materials Needed
Cyber Savvy Kids Slide Deck
Teacher Script (Focusing on Safety)
Discussion Questions Handout
Online Safety Board Game Kit
Student devices (computers or tablets with internet access)
Lesson Sequence
Intro 5m
Welcome & Hook
Slide 1-2 & Script
Project initial slides. Ask students to share one risky online situation they've heard about and why safety matters in digital spaces.
Direct 7m
Recognizing Risks & Strategies
Slide 3-6
Highlight safety risks (phishing, oversharing). Emphasize: strong passwords, privacy settings, and secure communication. Ask: "How would you spot a phishing link?"
Group 8m
Scenario Analysis
Discussion Handout
Pairs analyze scenario risks and propose protection measures. Prompt with: "What could happen if this risk isn't addressed?"
Game 7m
Online Safety Board Game
Game Kit
Groups of four play the game, identifying risks and discussing strategies. Reinforce correct risk responses as you circulate.
End 3m
Review & Takeaways
Final Slide
Invite volunteers to share one new safety tip. Review main strategies and encourage practicing these habits at home.
Cyber Savvy Presentation Slides Cyber Savvy Kids
A 30-minute journey into digital literacy & online citizenship.
Grade 5 Preparing for Middle School
TEACHER NOTES: Welcome students! Introduce today’s lesson: becoming Cyber Savvy Kids. Use this slide to grab attention and set expectations. Ask: “What do you think being ‘cyber savvy’ means?”
Lesson Objectives
Define digital literacy and online citizenship
Identify safe online behaviors
Practice respectful and responsible digital communication
Apply safety strategies in real-life scenarios
TEACHER NOTES: Read each objective aloud. Emphasize why each skill matters. Ask students to nod or thumbs-up if they’ve heard of them before.
What Is Digital Literacy?
"The ability to find, evaluate, and use online information wisely."
Thinking critically about sources
Making informed online choices
TEACHER NOTES: Explain digital literacy: not just how to use devices but how to think critically about what you see online. Share a quick example: evaluating whether a website is trustworthy.
What Is Online Citizenship?
Behaving responsibly & respectfully in digital communities.
Treating others with empathy
Following digital rules & etiquette
TEACHER NOTES: Define online citizenship. Discuss respect and kindness. Illustrate with a classroom chat example: responding politely to a friend’s opinion online.
Key Online Safety Tips
Protect Your Privacy
Use strong passwords & keep personal details private.
Think Before Clicking
Avoid suspicious links, downloads, and scams.
Be Respectful
Communicate kindly and always report cyberbullying.
Verify Information
Check if your sources are reliable and truthful.
TEACHER NOTES: Highlight each tip and invite students to share their own ideas. Use real-world examples: choosing strong passwords, adjusting privacy settings on social media.
Stay Safe from Predators
Only connect with people you know in real life.
Never share your address, school, or photos with strangers.
Uncomfortable? Tell a trusted adult immediately!
TEACHER NOTES: Explain what online predators are and how to guard against them. Emphasize telling a trusted adult if you feel uncomfortable.
Activity: Scenario Review
Instructions
1 Work in pairs or groups
2 Read your handout scenario
3 Ask: "Safe or Unsafe? Why?"
READY?
Be prepared to share one strategy with the entire class!
TEACHER NOTES: Introduce the discussion handout. Explain that students will work in pairs to review scenarios and decide if actions are safe or unsafe.
Board Game Showdown!
01
Gather in groups of four.
02
Draw a card and discuss the correct response.
03
Advance on the board for each correct answer.
04
Race to earn your Safety Champion Badge!
TEACHER NOTES: Explain the board game rules briefly. Encourage teamwork and reinforce safety strategies as they play.
Stay Cyber Savvy!
Step 1
Protect Privacy
Step 2
Think First
Step 3
Be Kind
"The internet is what we make of it—keep it safe!"
TEACHER NOTES: Invite volunteers to share one takeaway. Reinforce main points. Encourage application of these practices at home and school.
Cyber Savvy Teacher Script Teacher Resource
Teacher Script: Cyber Savvy Kids
Focus Area: Cyberbullying Prevention & Online Safety
Introduction (5 min)
Show Slide 1 & 2
Welcome students. Set the stage for cyberbullying prevention.
“Good morning, Cyber Savvy Kids! Today we’re focusing on one of the biggest safety risks online: cyberbullying . That’s when someone uses technology—like chat, social media, or games—to say mean or harmful things.”
Question:
“Have you ever seen or experienced hurtful messages or posts online? What happened?” (Wait for 2-3 responses)
“Thank you for sharing. Today we learn to Recognize , Respond , and Report harm.”
Direct Instruction (7 min)
Show Slide 3, 4 & 5
Defining Cyberbullying
"Cyberbullying is repeated mean behavior online—texts, posts, or excluding others on purpose. Example: A group chat where someone sends rude memes about a classmate."
Online Citizenship
Being respectful, standing up for others, and reporting harmful content.
Safety Strategies
Protect privacy, think before posting, and stand up safely as a bystander.
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING:
“If you saw someone being teased in an online game, what could you do to help?” (Guide toward support & reporting)
Discussion (8 min)
Show Slide 6
“Now we’ll practice spotting cyberbullying. In your pairs, read the handout and decide: Is this cyberbullying? How could the victim protect themselves?”
Teacher Note: Circulate and prompt groups with: "How would you feel?" "Who would you tell?"
Activity (7 min)
Show Slide 7
“Our board game now includes Cyberbullying Challenge Cards ! Read carefully—is it a safety risk or bullying? Choose your action: support, report, or a safety tip.”
"Remember: Noticing is the first step to stopping harm. Use your voice!"
Conclusion (3 min)
Show Slide 8
“You are now officially Cyberbullying Blockers ! Recap: Recognize harm, Stand up safely, Report to adults, and Practice Respect.”
Stay kind, stay alert, and always report harm!
Cyber Savvy Discussion Handout Scenario Challenge
Cyber Savvy Kids • Discussion Handout
Names:
Date:
Read each scenario with your partner. Discuss: Is this safe or unsafe? Why? How could it be made safer?
Scenario 1
Password Sharing
Alex wants to join his friend’s online game, so he shares his social media password with them.
Safe or Unsafe? Why?
Action Plan for Safety
Scenario 2
Suspicious Link
Jordan receives an email from someone they don’t know offering a free gift and asking them to click a link.
Safe or Unsafe? Why?
Action Plan for Safety
Scenario 3
Hurtful Post
Kai finds a funny meme about a classmate and decides to post it on the class chat, even though it might hurt their feelings.
Safe or Unsafe? Why?
Action Plan for Safety
Scenario 4
Unverified Information
Taylor sees a surprising news story on social media and shares it with classmates without checking if it’s true.
Safe or Unsafe? Why?
Action Plan for Safety
Scenario 5
Stranger Friend Request
Sam receives a friend request from a stranger who asks for Sam's home address and school name.
Safe or Unsafe? Why?
Who to tell? Action Plan?
Cyber Savvy Board Game Activity Safety Champion Board Game
Teacher Guide & Rules
Objective
Students collaborate in groups of 4 to identify safety risks and decide on the best "Cyber Savvy" response to move their piece across the board.
How to Play
Draw a card. Read aloud.
Group discusses: Safe or Unsafe?
Teacher/Answer Key confirms strategy.
Correct? Roll die & move piece.
Incorrect? Stay put. Next player's turn.
Master Answer Key
Unsafe – Never share passwords.
Unsafe – Verify sender; don't click unknown links.
Unsafe – Respect others; don't post hurtful content.
Unsafe – Check reliable sources first.
Unsafe – Only accept known requests.
Unsafe – Close pop-up; never install random tools.
Unsafe – Keep live location private.
Unsafe – Avoid untrusted public networks.
Unsafe – Keep hints private; avoid personal info.
Safe – Report bullying and offer support.
Unsafe – Never send photos to strangers. Block/Tell Adult.
Scenario Cards (Cut Apart)
1. Password Sharing
Alex wants to join a friend’s online game and shares his social media password with them.
2. Suspicious Link
Jordan gets an email from someone they don’t know offering a free gift and asks them to click a link.
3. Hurtful Post
Kai finds a meme about a classmate that might hurt their feelings and posts it in the group chat.
4. Unverified News
Taylor sees a shocking headline on social media and shares it without checking if it’s true.
5. Strange Friend Request
You receive a friend request from someone you’ve never met in real life, asking for personal info.
6. Pop-Up Warning
A pop-up warns your device is infected and prompts you to install a "cleaner" program.
7. Location Tagging
A classmate asks you to enable live location sharing so they can track where you are at all times.