Texting Smart Lesson Plan Texting Smart
Lesson Plan: Digital Citizenship & Etiquette
Duration 30 Minutes
Learning Objective
Students will learn key do’s and don’ts of texting and group chats by analyzing scenarios and engaging in role-play, then demonstrate understanding through discussion and an exit ticket.
Audience
5th Grade Students
Approach
Scenario analysis & role-play practice.
Why This Lesson?
Building digital communication skills—tone, privacy, and respect—helps 5th graders navigate real-life texting and group chats safely, politely, and confidently.
Teacher Preparation
Review all generated materials (Poster, Scenarios, Exit Ticket).
Print/project the Do's and Don'ts Poster .
Copy Texting Scenarios Handout (1 per pair).
Prepare Role-Play Scenario Cards (1 set per group).
Materials Needed
Instructional Procedures
1
Introduction
5 MIN
Activate Prior Knowledge: Ask students to share texting experiences and how "tone" (feeling) can be hard to read in a message.Display Poster: Briefly review the three pillars: Tone , Privacy , and Respect .Goal: Explain that today they will practice identifying good and poor texting choices through games and role-play.
2
Scenario Analysis
10 MIN
Pair Work: Distribute the Texting Scenarios Handout .Task: Students read each scenario, decide if it’s a “Do” or a “Don’t,” and write their reasoning based on the poster.Discussion: Reconvene and discuss selected scenarios. Ask: "How could this person have said this better?"
3
Role-Play Activity
10 MIN
Groups: Divide class into groups of three. Give each group a set of Role-Play Scenario Cards .Roles: One student reads (Texter), one responds (Responder), one observes (Observer).Focus: Focus on tone and respect. Observers should look for specific friendly language or privacy protection.
4
Debrief & Assessment
5 MIN
Whole Class: What did we learn about tone, privacy, and respect? Why are these harder in text than in person?Exit Ticket: Distribute the Reflection Sheet . Students write one "Do" and one "Don't" to remember. Texting Smart Slides Deck Texting Smart
The Do’s and Don’ts of Texting & Group Chats
5th Grade Digital Citizenship
Teacher Note: Welcome students! Say: “Today we’re going to learn how to text smart—using tone, respect, and privacy to communicate safely.”
Today's Goals
Explore what makes a good or poor text message
Practice with real-life scenarios
Role-play texting conversations
"It's not just what you say, but how you say it online."
Teacher Note: Read the objectives. Ask students: "Have you ever had a text message that you misunderstood?"
The Big Three
Tone
Texts can be misread without facial cues and voice.
Privacy
Only share info with people you trust. Ask before sharing others' info.
Respect
Kind words build friendships. Don't say things you wouldn't say in person.
Teacher Note: Emphasize that tone can be misunderstood, privacy keeps us safe, and respect builds trust.
Do's & Don'ts
DO...
• Use friendly greetings and emojis 😀
• Ask before sharing someone else's info
• Pause and re-read before sending
DON'T...
• Use ALL CAPS (it feels like SHOUTING!)
• Share personal info in group chats
• Send mean or teasing messages
Teacher Note: Display the poster. Walk through each point. Ask: "Why does shouting (ALL CAPS) hurt feelings?"
Your Turn: Scenario Analysis
Instructions
Pair up with a partner
Read each texting scenario
Decide: Is this a “Do” or a “Don’t”?
Write your reasons
Collaborate!
Talk it out before you write it down.
Teacher Note: Hand out the worksheet. Model Scenario 1 with the whole class first.
Role-Play Action
The Texter
Reads the scenario card out loud.
The Responder
Acts out a smart, respectful response.
The Observer
Gives feedback on tone and respect.
✨ Rotate roles after each card! ✨
Teacher Note: Remind observers to watch for "tone" cues—did they use emojis? Was their voice calm? Circulate as groups practice.
Texting Smart Poster Reference Texting Smart Reference
Classroom Poster
Do's & Don'ts
TONE
Check how your message "sounds" without your voice.
PRIVACY
Keep secrets safe. Ask before sharing others' info.
RESPECT
Treat people in text the same way you do in person.
DO This
Use Greetings & Emojis
Start with "Hey!" and use emojis 😀 to help show your tone.
Ask Before Sharing
Ask your friend if it's okay before you send their photo or info to someone else.
Pause & Re-read
Wait 10 seconds and read your text again before hitting "Send."
DON'T Do This
Use ALL CAPS
Writing in ALL CAPS feels like shouting at the other person.
Post Info in Group Chats
Never share phone numbers, addresses, or passwords in a group chat.
Send Mean Messages
Don't use texts to tease or say unkind things that hurt feelings.
Remember: If you wouldn't say it to their face, don't text it!
Texting Scenarios Worksheet Texting Scenarios
Digital Citizenship Handout
Name:
Date:
Read each texting scenario below. Decide if it follows the "Texting Smart" rules. Mark it as a DO or a DON'T and explain why.
SCENARIO 1
Choice:
DO
DON'T
Alex
hey can u send me ur locker combination?
Taylor
Sure! It’s 15–9–23.
Explain your reasoning:
SCENARIO 2
Choice:
DO
DON'T
Jordan
congrats on your win!!!
Linh
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Explain your reasoning:
SCENARIO 3
Choice:
DO
DON'T
Pat
Hey! Are you okay? You didn’t come to volleyball yesterday.
Morgan
Thanks for checking on me. I was sick.
Pat
No problem. Feel better soon!
Explain your reasoning:
SCENARIO 4
Choice:
DO
DON'T
Chris receives a long, thoughtful text from Sam about their weekend plans and replies with:
Chris
k
Explain your reasoning:
SCENARIO 5
Choice:
DO
DON'T
Riley adds Sam to the class group chat without asking first:
Riley
Everyone, meet my friend Sam!
Sam
😳
Explain your reasoning:
Role-Play Scenario Cards Activity Role-Play Scenario Cards
Group Activity: Texter, Responder, & Observer
Card 1
Scenario: Privacy
"Hey, can you send me your phone’s unlock code? I need to change my wallpaper."
Responder Task:
How do you reply while protecting your privacy and staying polite?
Observer Feedback:
Card 2
Scenario: Tone
"WHY DIDN’T YOU INVITE ME TO YOUR PARTY???"
Responder Task:
How can you answer without sounding defensive or angry?
Observer Feedback:
Card 3
Scenario: Respect
"Everyone, meet my friend Sam! I just added them to our chat."
Responder Task:
How do you handle introducing someone before checking with them first?
Observer Feedback:
Card 4
Scenario: Tone & Respect
"sorry I didn't text back, I was busy with family stuff!"
Responder Task:
How do you reply to show understanding and keep the tone friendly?
Observer Feedback:
Card 5
Scenario: Feelings
"OMG LOOK AT THIS! 😂 *sends pic of a mutual friend tripping in the hallway*"
Responder Task:
How do you reply in a way that respects your friend’s feelings?
Observer Feedback:
Card 6
Scenario: Conflict
"You suck at this game 😂"
Responder Task:
How can you respond without escalating the situation?
Observer Feedback:
Texting Reflection Exit Ticket Sheet Exit Ticket
Texting Smart
Student Name
1
One “DO” I will remember when texting or chatting online is...
2
One “DON'T” I will remember when texting or chatting online is...
3
How will you use these tips in your daily life (at home or school)? 
