Digital Citizenship Lessons in Middleton Public Schools

Students in Middleton Public Schools learn digital citizenship skills starting in Kindergarten and continue through sixth grade. We embed these topics in our day-to-day lessons as well as full lessons in library classes. Our Digital Learning Specialist Dierdre Baker works closely with librarians Eileen Mulligan and Rachel Grodman. Teaching digital citizenship to students in grades K-6 is essential as they start using digital devices and the internet for learning and personal use. Our digital citizenship programs include topics such as:

Respectful and responsible behavior using the devices and taking care of them.

Online Safety: Understanding safe online behaviors, like not sharing personal information (name, address, phone number), recognizing suspicious links or messages, and knowing to inform an adult if something feels off.

Privacy and Security: Learning basic privacy rules, understanding passwords, and respecting personal boundaries online.

Digital Footprint: Teaching that what they post online can stay online forever, including how their actions online can affect their reputation.

Respectful Communication: Fostering positive interactions, understanding kindness and empathy in digital communication, and avoiding cyberbullying.

Research and Information Literacy: Encouraging kids to question and verify information they find online, recognizing trustworthy sources, and identifying misinformation.

Screen Time Balance: Understanding the importance of balancing online activities with offline life, including healthy screen time habits and taking breaks.

Early exposure to these concepts helps students develop good habits, critical thinking, and responsible behaviors for when they are older and their online activities become more independent.

October 2024 EdTech at Fuller Meadow by Dierdre Baker

Digital Citizenship by Dierdre Baker

We had Katie Greer, a nationally recognized expert in internet safety. speak to our 5th and 6th grade students as well as our parents to teach about safe digital practices.

Learn more about Katie Greer.

Digital Citizenship at Fuller Meadow

Students in Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade at Fuller Meadow school met with me, Middleton's Digital Learning Specialist, for a lesson on "Digital Citizenship". Teachers are continuously reinforcing Digital Citizenship and Digital Safety skills to make sure it's always on the top of our students' minds. In Middleton Public Schools we focus on "The 4 Bees" for all activity in our schools. In this class, we used these "Bees" in relation to handling our devices and working online.

Check out our presentation.

ISTE Standards for Students - Digtial Citizenship

Technology is anything that helps us solve a problem or do a task. by Dierdre Baker

Digital Citizenship at Howe Manning School

Digital Learning and Computer Science Standards (DLCS) Grades 3-6 Computing and Society (CAS) Understand safety and security concepts, safe and appropriate use of technology,and how to deal with cyberbulling. Demonstrate responsible use of technology, digital content, and interactions. Observe and describe how technology can influence people.