Links to 2 lessons and activities that build student skills in standard L.3.4d: Use glossaries or beginning dictionaries, both print and digital, to determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words and phrases.
Links to 6 lessons and activities that build student skills in standard L.3.5b: Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., describe people who are friendly or helpful).
Delve into this wonderfully illustrated and comprehensive picture dictionary. Research up to 1,905 illustrated entries. Each word is used in a meaningful sentence.
This site is an easy to use French picture dictionary. Selections can be made by typing in the word you wish to look up or you can choose a category.
Why do people alter digital photos and videos? The web is full of photos, and even videos, that are digitally altered. And it's often hard to tell the difference between what's real and what's fake. Help your students ask critical questions about why someone might alter a photo or video in the first place. Approximately 45 mins.
LESSON OBJECTIVES: Recognize that photos and videos can be altered digitally. Identify different reasons why someone might alter a photo or video. Analyze altered photos and videos to try to determine why.
This lesson has a new approach to vocabulary building where students generate their own vocabulary word lists and research the words' meanings.
How many native English speakers are there in the world today? Learn important facts and statistics about the English-speaking world as well as a history of the language from its Germanic beginnings to the present.
What makes a strong online community? Belonging to various communities is important for kids' development. But some online communities can be healthier than others. Show your students how they can strengthen both online and in-person communities by creating norms that everyone pledges to uphold. Approximately 45 mins.
LESSON OBJECTIVES: Define what a community is, both in person and online. Explain how having norms helps people in a community achieve their goals. Create and pledge to adhere to shared norms for being in an online community.
How can a strong password help protect your privacy? Stronger, more secure online passwords are a good idea for everyone. But how can we help kids create better passwords and actually remember them? Use the tips in this lesson to help kids make passwords that are both secure and memorable. Approximately 45 mins.
LESSON OBJECTIVES: Define the term "password" and describe a password's purpose. Understand why a strong password is important. Practice creating a memorable and strong password.
What should you do when someone uses mean or hurtful language on the internet? As kids grow, they'll naturally start to communicate more online. But some of what they see could make them feel hurt, sad, angry, or even fearful. Help your students build empathy for others and learn strategies to use when confronted with cyberbullying. Approximately 45 mins.
LESSON OBJECTIVES: Understand that it's important to think about the words we use, because everyone interprets things differently. Identify ways to respond to mean words online, using S-T-O-P. Decide what kinds of statements are OK to say online and which are not.
Pick your grade level and learn a word a day to build your vocabulary. Includes PSAT and SAT Vocabulary Preparation. iPhone and iPad apps are available for a small fee.
This video explains how to use a thesaurus and what information it gives you. [3:09]
How does what I post online affect my identity? From selfies to social media, many of us create unique online identities for ourselves, and our students are no different. But do kids always understand how others might perceive what they post? Help your students think critically about the online identities they're creating. Approximately 45 mins.
LESSON OBJECTIVES: Consider how posting selfies or other images will lead others to make assumptions about them. Reflect on the most important parts of their unique identity. Identify ways they can post online to best reflect who they are.
How do digital citizens take responsibility for themselves, their communities, and their world? Teaching digital citizenship is all about helping kids think beyond themselves and recognize the ripple effects of their actions. Personal responsibility is important, but understanding their responsibilities to others can help kids unlock new ways to learn and connect with their communities -- and even change those communities for the better. Approximately 45 mins.
LESSON OBJECTIVES: Examine both in-person and online responsibilities. Describe the Rings of Responsibility as a way to think about how our behavior affects ourselves and others. Identify examples of online responsibilities to others.