Introduction
Texting has become an essential part of everyday communication, especially for younger generations. However, it can also be confusing due to the absence of facial expressions and tone of voice. To help students navigate tricky texting situations, it is essential to teach them Cyber Skills. These skills not only prevent misunderstandings but also ensure that students don’t make others feel upset or uncomfortable. This blog post will explore a no-prep activity, discussion questions, related skills, and next steps to help educators teach Cyber Skills for texting to elementary students.
No-Prep Activity
This activity will help students practice their Cyber Skills for texting by analyzing a confusing text message conversation. First, have the students pair up. Provide each pair with a printed or digital copy of a confusing text message conversation, such as the one between Leah and Serena from the prompt. Ask the pairs to read the conversation and discuss what they think went wrong. Encourage them to consider what each person might have been thinking or feeling when they sent their messages. After a few minutes, bring the class back together and have pairs share their thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- What could Leah and Serena have done differently to avoid confusion in their text conversation?
- How do you think both Leah and Serena felt during the conversation? Why?
- What are some strategies you can use to clarify confusing text messages?
- Why is it important to think about what you’re going to say before sending a text message?
- How can you apply Cyber Skills to other forms of online communication, such as social media or email?
Related Skills
Beyond Cyber Skills for texting, there are other relevant skills that students can develop to improve their online communication. These include:
- Digital Citizenship: Understanding the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of using technology and participating in online communities.
- Empathy: Putting oneself in another person’s shoes to better understand their feelings and perspectives.
- Active Listening: Paying close attention to what others are saying, asking clarifying questions, and providing feedback to ensure understanding.
- Conflict Resolution: Identifying and resolving disagreements or misunderstandings in a respectful and constructive manner.
Next Steps
Teaching Cyber Skills for texting is an essential component of Social-Emotional Learning, helping students become responsible digital citizens and effective communicators. To access free sample materials for teaching Cyber Skills and other related skills, visit Everyday Speech’s sample materials. These resources will provide you with engaging activities, videos, and more to help your students develop their social-emotional skillset.
