Being Awesome - Digital Citizenship Style

During the start of the year we spend a lot of time discussing expectations in an effort to create successful academic and social learning environments. In today’s world this conversation extends beyond the walls of our school to include student use of the internet and digital tools. This year students in grades three through six will be engaging in Google’s digital citizenship program called “Be Internet Awesome.”

The “Be Internet Awesome” curriculum fosters student exploration through the themes of being internet smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave. Through discussions, activities, and game based learning students will be able to think critically, evaluate what they encounter online, protect themselves, be savvy about what they share, be kind and respectful online, and know when to ask for help.

While the start of the year is a regular time for teachers and students to review and clarify expectations, it is also a good time for families to do the same. Please take a moment with your child(ren) to establish ground rules at home. One big idea to consider talking about at home is balancing screen time; remember not all screen time is created equal. Now is also a good time of year to be sure you understand how to manage settings on your devices and home profiles. Over the years I have found that Common Sense Media has a balanced assortment of information for both kids and parents to gain a little extra insight into the quickly changing landscape of the digital age.