After reviewing how to log on with their “grown-up” usernames, our first graders were ready to go on an internet field trip. Using a lesson from Common Sense Media called “Going Places Safely” we first discussed real-life field trips. Some of the questions asked:

• Have you ever heard your parents or teachers say, “Don’t talk to strangers?” Why would they tell you this?
• Do your parents or teachers find interesting and safe places to take you?
• When you go on a trip, do your parents or teachers ask you to stay close by? What do you do if you want to see something else? Don’t you get permission?

Next, we compared the answers to being on the internet. We talked about the importance of going online with parental/teacher approval, staying on approved sites and not wandering off to other sites, and only talking online to people we know.

Then the “field trips” began! The students visited The New York Philharmonic Kidzone, Destination Modern Art, National Zoo, and “Ology” from the American Museum of Natural History. I gave the students about 15 minutes to explore; reminding them every 5 minutes or so to visit all the sites.

Exploring Safe Websites

Using the “Going Places Safely” student handout provided by Common Sense Media, the children next wrote the favorite place they visited, what they saw, and drew a picture inside the monitor outline on the the handout.

Illustrating the favorite “field trip”

It was interesting to see who chose what! Choices were fairly evenly divided between the Philharmonic Kidzone, Destination Modern Art, and the National Zoo (watching the webcams was a favorite). I think the “Ology” site had just a bit too much reading to keep students’ interest.

Showing off the finished drawings!

I really like the lessons offered by Common Sense Media. There are excellent resources for grades K – 12 covering the following topics:

• Safety and Security
• Digital Citizenship
• Research and Information Literacy