Lesson 1: The Power of Words

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Explain the concept of a "digital footprint" and understand the permanence of online actions.
2. Differentiate between constructive criticism (helpful) and cyberbullying (harmful).
3. Apply strategies to rephrase negative or reactive comments into positive, constructive feedback.

Materials

• Projector/Whiteboard
• Handout or digital document with 3-4 example negative comments (for Independent Practice)
• Exit Ticket/Quick Write (simple index card or digital form)

Lesson Structure (Workshop Model)

1. Introduction and Hook (5 minutes)

Phase	Activity	Time	Teacher/Student Actions
Hook	"Invisible Ink" Metaphor	5 mins	Teacher: Ask students: "Imagine everything you type online is written in permanent marker—not on paper, but on the internet itself. Can you erase permanent marker?" (Wait for responses). Introduce the terms: Digital Footprint and Permanence. Explain that once a comment, post, or reaction is online, it's archived, shared, and impossible to completely erase.

2. Mini-Lesson (10 minutes)

Phase	Activity	Time	Teacher/Student Actions
Instruction	Defining the Difference	10 mins	Teacher: Use a T-Chart on the board (or presentation slide) to define two core concepts: Constructive Criticism (CC) and Cyberbullying/Harmful Critique (CB). CC: Focuses on the work/situation, offers specific solutions, is respectful, and aims to help. CB: Focuses on the person, is mean-spirited, uses aggressive language (sarcasm, name-calling), and aims to hurt. Model: Show examples of each and think aloud to categorize them.

3. Guided Practice / Active Engagement (7 minutes)

Phase	Activity	Time	Teacher/Student Actions
Shared Practice	"Comment Quick Check"	7 mins	Teacher: Display 3 short, anonymous, ambiguous comments on the screen (e.g., 1. "That outfit is ugly.", 2. "You could have used a better font.", 3. "Why are you even trying?"). For each comment, instruct students to vote (e.g., Thumbs Up = Constructive, Thumbs Down = Harmful/Bullying). Debrief: Quickly discuss why a comment is harmful (it attacks the person or offers no solution) and how it relates to the concept of digital permanence.

4. Independent Practice (18 minutes)

Phase	Activity	Time	Teacher/Student Actions
Application	Redrafting Exercise	18 mins	Teacher: Distribute the "Comment Redrafting" handout. The handout contains 4 examples of common negative or hurtful online comments. Student Task: For each negative comment, students must redraft it into a constructive, helpful, and kind response that still communicates the original idea (if the idea was critique) without being hurtful. Example Handout Item: Original Comment: "This game review is the worst thing I've ever read. You should stick to playing games, not writing about them."

5. Share and Close (5 minutes)

Phase	Activity	Time	Teacher/Student Actions
Closure	Exit Ticket Reflection	5 mins	Teacher: Have students complete a quick reflection: "What is one thing you will do differently the next time you want to leave a comment online?" Collect responses as exit tickets or have students share verbally.