Strong Lines Guide Strong Lines
Facilitator Guide: Online & Offline Boundaries
Duration
45 MIN
Audience
5th Grade
Objective
Setting and Enforcing Clear Boundaries
Focus
Digital Citizenship & Safety
Prep & Setup
Estimated Time: 15 Minutes
Review Boundary Scripts slide deck for key scenarios.
Set up 4 Carousel Activity stations around the room.
Copy Support Triangle worksheets for every student.
Review Screenshot/Report Protocol discussion guide.
Materials List
Boundary Scripts Slides
Boundary Carousel Cards
Support Triangle Worksheet
Screenshot Protocol Guide
Why This Matters
Understanding and enforcing personal boundaries empowers students to stay safe, respect others, and seek appropriate help both offline and online, fostering responsible digital citizenship.
Lesson Flow
1
Intro to Boundaries
10 MIN
Ask: "What is a boundary? Why do we need them?"
Present in-person and online scenarios using the slide deck.
Model a class boundary statement (e.g., "Please stop messaging while I'm doing homework").
Define boundaries as "Limits for personal space, feelings, and time."
2
Boundary Script Carousel
10 MIN
Divide students into 4 small groups for station practice.
Groups spend 2 minutes at each station practicing scripts.
Focus on tone, clarity, and respectfulness.
Ensure every student practices both "Speaker" and "Listener" roles.
3
Support Triangle Activity
10 MIN
Students map their escalation support network.
Identify one helper at Home , one at School , and one in the Community .
Write why they are trusted and what to say when asking for help.
Encourage students to think of helpers who "listen, act, and keep them safe."
4
Digital Triggers Reflection
10 MIN
Focus on the Screenshot/Report Protocol.
Discuss: "What online situations make you uncomfortable or upset?"
Pairs reflect on protective steps: blocking, screenshotting, and reporting.
Introduce the "Evidence Expert" mindset: Capture before you delete.
5
Share and Closure
5 MIN
Volunteers share one boundary statement and one helper.
Reinforce clear language and seeking help.
Takeaway: Strong lines keep our digital and physical worlds safe.
Differentiation Strategies
English Learners
Provide sentence starters (from the slide deck) on index cards. Use the visuals in the deck to anchor vocabulary like "boundary" and "support."
Confidence Building
Pair more vocal students with those who need support. Practice scripts in "low-stakes" whispers before saying them to the group.
Advanced Learners
Ask students to create their own "Station 5" scenario for a complex digital situation (e.g., "someone you don't know tries to friend you").
Cultural Relevance
Incorporate scenarios that reflect diverse social dynamics. Remind students that different families may have different house rules for digital use.
Teacher Reflection & Observation Notes
Strong Lines Presentation Strong Lines
Boundary Scripts and Digital Scenarios
What Is a Boundary?
A boundary is a clear message that tells others what’s OK and not OK with your:
Personal Space
Feelings
Your Time
Why set them?
To keep us safe .
To show respect for ourselves and others.
To ask for what we need.
In-Person Boundaries
“Please don’t tap my shoulder when I’m reading. I need quiet to focus.”
“I’m not OK with jokes about my lunch. Please stop.”
“Can you wait until I finish my turn before interrupting me?”
Speak with Confidence & Respect
Digital Boundaries
“Please stop tagging me in memes when I’m doing homework.”
“I’m uncomfortable with those messages. Please don’t send them again.”
“I’d rather chat about school, not sports. Let’s stick to that.”
Written words stay on screens—be clear!
Boundary Starters
“Please stop __________.”
“I’m not comfortable with __________.”
“I need you to __________.”
“When you __________, I feel __________.”
“Let’s keep this conversation to __________.”
Pro Tip
Be firm but kind. Your boundary is your power!
Visual Signals
Speech Bubble
Remind others of your limit
Stop Sign
Signal when you need space
Phone Icon
Set digital boundaries
Practice Time!
Four Simple Steps:
1
Choose one scenario (in-person or online).
2
Pick a sentence starter.
3
Fill in the blank with your own words.
4
Say it with confidence and respect!
Boundary Practice Activity Boundary Practice Carousel
Activity Guide & Station Cards
10 Minutes
Overview
Students rotate through four stations—two in-person scenarios and two online scenarios—practicing clear boundary statements and giving peer feedback.
Roles
Speaker
Reads the scenario and uses a sentence starter to state a clear boundary.
Listener
Offers feedback: one positive "I liked..." and one "You could also..." suggestion.
Teacher Steps
Post the 4 scenario cards (on the next page) around the room.
Divide students into pairs or small groups at each station.
Set a timer for 2 minutes per station.
Signal rotation with a bell or clap after feedback is shared.
Circulate to prompt "Strong Lines" (clear, firm, respectful).
Student Instructions
1
Read
Speaker reads scenario aloud.
2
Respond
Use a script to state your boundary.
3
Feedback
Listener gives a tip for tone or words.
4
Swap
Switch roles and repeat scenarios.
01
In-Person
The Shoulder Tap
"A classmate taps your shoulder repeatedly while you’re reading."
Try Saying:
• "Please stop tapping me."
• "I need quiet to focus right now."
02
In-Person
The Lunch Critic
"A friend keeps making jokes about your lunch."
Try Saying:
• "I’m not comfortable with jokes about my lunch."
• "Please stop making fun of my food."
03
Online
The Meme Tagger
"A friend tags you in memes while you’re doing homework."
Try Saying:
• "Please stop tagging me when I'm doing homework."
• "I need space to focus on work."
04
Online
The Uncomfortable Chat
"Someone sends messages that make you uncomfortable."
Try Saying:
• "I’m uncomfortable with these messages."
Support Triangle Worksheet My Support Triangle
Name:
Date:
When you feel unsafe or need help, it’s important to know who you can turn to. Think of three people you trust —one at home, one at school, and one in your community. These helpers are people who listen, act, and help keep you safe.
1
Home Helper
Name
Relationship (e.g., Parent, Guardian)
Why I trust them
What I could say when I need help
"I need to talk about something that happened..."
2
School Helper
Name
Relationship (e.g., Teacher, Counselor)
Why I trust them
What I could say when I need help
"Something online made me feel uncomfortable..."
3
Community Helper
Name
Relationship (e.g., Coach, Mentor)
Why I trust them
What I could say when I need help
"Can I ask you for some advice on a problem?"
You don’t have to face difficult situations alone.
Your support triangle is there to help keep you safe and listened to.
Screenshot Protocol Guide Evidence Experts
Screenshot & Report Protocol
GOAL: Capture digital evidence safely and effectively
Discussion Prompts
1. What kinds of messages, images, or posts online make you feel upset, threatened, or unsafe?
2. Why might you choose to screenshot a conversation instead of just deleting or ignoring it?
The Expert Protocol
1
Recognize
Notice triggers: bullying, threats, or scary content.
2
Capture
Screenshot evidence with names & timestamps.
3
Select
Pick a helper (Parent, Teacher, Counselor).
4
Report
Send evidence and describe what happened.
5
Follow Up
Check for action and update your helper.
Scenario Practice
Scenario A
"You get a mean message from a classmate that might be a joke."
What would you screenshot?
Who would you report it to?
Scenario B
"You find a group chat sharing private photos without permission."
What steps do you take?
Reflection
How does having a screenshot help you feel safer when asking for help?
What challenges might you face when reporting online issues? How can you overcome them?
Document before delete
Use factual language
Reach out to your triangle
