This year, our school decided to try something new by using a team approach to teaching. We realized that asking just one teacher to handle everything could be too much, so we brought together a group of teachers with different skills and perspectives. Our team included several science teachers, a counselor, and a technology specialist.
At CMadera School, we kicked off the school year with an anti-bullying campaign. This started in September and October, which is also Anti-Bullying Month. We began with a big assembly, and then our counselor met with students from all grade levels to talk about important topics like being a bystander, making friends, and understanding cliques. Instead of just one big event, we spread these lessons over several months, from September to December. This way, the message was more impactful and students had time to really think about it.
In our school district, we introduced a digital citizenship curriculum for middle school students. This was a six-week program where students learned about important topics like online safety and digital responsibility. It helped them meet the NETS standards, which are part of their technology graduation requirements. Our technology literacy teachers played a big role in teaching these lessons, which also covered other important technology skills.
One of the best examples of using this curriculum was in a language arts class at one of our middle schools. The teacher, who also teaches an AVID class, used the digital citizenship lessons throughout the trimester. The students found the material interesting and were excited to learn more each day.
In my science class, I also included digital citizenship lessons. For example, when students work on lab reports, we talk about how important it is to cite sources correctly and avoid plagiarism. This is a great time to discuss online safety and remind students to be careful about what they share on the internet. These lessons fit naturally into our regular science activities.
By working together and integrating these important topics into different subjects, we hope to give our students a well-rounded education that prepares them for the future.
Design a poster that highlights key aspects of digital citizenship, such as online safety, digital responsibility, and the importance of citing sources. Use creative visuals and slogans to make your poster engaging and informative. Share your poster with the class and explain the concepts you chose to highlight.
Participate in a role-playing activity where you act out different scenarios related to bullying and being a bystander. Discuss how you would handle each situation and what strategies you can use to support peers and promote a positive school environment.
Choose a topic related to technology, such as the impact of social media, the importance of cybersecurity, or the evolution of digital communication. Conduct research and create a presentation to share your findings with the class, emphasizing the relevance of digital citizenship.
Write an essay reflecting on your own digital habits and responsibilities. Consider how you can improve your online presence and what steps you can take to be a more responsible digital citizen. Share your essay with a peer for feedback.
Conduct a science experiment and write a lab report that includes properly cited sources. Discuss the importance of avoiding plagiarism and how to correctly attribute information. Present your findings and citations to the class, highlighting the connection between science and digital citizenship.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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[Music] This year, we adopted a team approach because we believed that placing all the responsibility on one teacher would be overwhelming. We also thought that having different teachers present various perspectives could be beneficial for the students. Our team included several science teachers, a counselor, and myself as the technology specialist.
At CMadera School, we launched an anti-bullying campaign at the beginning of the school year, around September and October, coinciding with Anti-Bullying Month. We started with an assembly, and as the counselor, I met with all the grade levels to discuss various topics related to bullying, such as being a bystander, friendships, and cliques. This initiative ran from September to December, and I found it much more effective to conduct multiple lessons on this topic rather than relying on a single outside assembly. Our consistent presence over a two to three-month period had a greater impact on the students.
In our school district, the middle school classrooms implemented a digital citizenship curriculum this year, which was very successful. We used it as a complete six-week unit, allowing students to work through all the lessons and meet the necessary NETS standards for their technology graduation requirement. Our technology literacy teachers have been instrumental in this process, teaching a semester course that covers digital citizenship and safety, along with other NETS standards.
One of the most successful implementations of our Common Sense Media curriculum occurred at one of our middle schools. A language arts teacher, who also teaches an AVID class, integrated the curriculum throughout the trimester, significantly engaging the students. They expressed interest in the material and enjoyed it every day.
I integrated the digital citizenship program into my science class similarly to how I use other educational tools. When my students are working on lab write-ups, I discuss the importance of citing sources correctly and avoiding plagiarism. It’s easy to incorporate discussions about online safety and being mindful of what they share on the internet during these lessons with my students.
[Music]
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This version removes any informal language and maintains a professional tone while preserving the core message.
Curriculum – A set of courses and their content offered at a school or university – The school’s curriculum includes subjects like math, science, and history to provide a well-rounded education.
Technology – The use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry – Technology in the classroom, such as tablets and smartboards, helps make learning more interactive and engaging.
Citizenship – The status of being a member of a particular country and having rights and responsibilities because of it – In social studies class, we learned about citizenship and the importance of participating in our community.
Students – Individuals who are enrolled in an educational institution for learning – The students worked together on a group project to explore the impact of renewable energy.
Safety – The condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury – The school has strict safety measures in place to ensure that all students feel secure while learning.
Integration – The process of combining or adding parts to make a unified whole – The integration of technology into the classroom has transformed how teachers deliver lessons and how students learn.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment – In science class, we conducted experiments to understand the principles of physics.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university – Education is essential for developing critical thinking skills and preparing for future careers.
Skills – The ability to do something well; expertise – Through practice and dedication, students can develop skills in areas like writing, math, and art.
Bullying – Unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance – The school has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all students.
