Our K-12 Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum

Kids and teens today are using the immense power of digital media to explore, connect, create, and learn
in ways never before imagined. With this power, young people have extraordinary opportunities, and yet
they face potential pitfalls, too. Meanwhile, schools are dealing with the associated ramifications like
cyberbullying, digital cheating, and safety and security concerns. These issues underscore the need for
students to learn and for teachers to teach digital literacy and citizenship skills.
Common Sense Educations FREE Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum empowers students to think
critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly in our digital world. These 21st-century skills are essential
for students to harness the full potential of technology for learning. Taught by classroom teachers, librarians,
technology specialists, health educators, and guidance counselors around the world, our K-12 curriculum:
Introduces reliable, research-based information to students about digital media and their impact
Offers a comprehensive yet balanced approach in addressing safety and security concerns,
including ethics and behavior issues, as well as digital literacy skills
Includes research-based lessons based on the work of Howard Gardner and the GoodPlay Project
at the Harvard Graduate School of Education
Provides student-centered, media-rich lesson materials that emphasize skill building, critical
thinking, ethical discussion, media creation, and decision making to students of all ages
Addresses the whole community by providing materials to educate parents and families about
digital citizenship
Satisfies criteria for CIPA E-rate compliance
Aligns to the Common Core State Standards, the International Society for Technology in Educations
National Education Technology Standards (ISTEs NETS), and the American Association of School
Librarians (AASL) Standards
Includes rich professional development resources such as tutorials, videos, and webinars
There are 80 lessons in the full K-12 curriculum, with supporting materials such as student handouts,
assessments, educational videos, family tip sheets, and professional development resources. We suggest
starting with our Scope & Sequence to determine which approach is right for your students.
Our Scope & Sequence consists of three units for grade bands K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 and four units for Grades
9-12. Each unit is comprised of five lessons, which spiral to address a cross-curricular approach. The units
build on each other by reinforcing developmentally appropriate topics. You can use the units either
sequentially by grade or at any grade level within this band.
Our curriculum is made available to educators and schools FREE thanks to the generous support of our
funders. Browse our educator site to find a plethora of curricular materials. Our education program brings
students, families, and educators together to create world-class digital citizens for the 21st-century.

DIGITAL LITERACY AND CITIZENSHIP IN A CONNECTED CULTURE

2014 www.commonsense.org

Cross-Curricular Framework

Privacy & Security

Students learn strategies for managing their

online information and keeping it secure
from online risks such as identity thieves and
phishing. They learn how to create strong
passwords, how to avoid scams and schemes,
and how to analyze privacy policies.

Digital Footprint & Reputation

Students learn to protect their own privacy and

respect others privacy. Our digital world is
permanent, and with each post, students are
building a digital footprint. By encouraging
students to self-reflect before they self-reveal,
they will consider how what they share online
can impact themselves and others.

Self-Image & Identity

These lessons are designed to help students

explore their own digital lives, focusing on
their online versus their offline identity. Students
learn the benefits and risks of presenting
themselves through different personas and the
effects on their sense of self, their reputation,
and their relationships.

Creative Credit & Copyright

Living in a copy/paste culture, students need

to reflect on their responsibilities and rights
as creators in the online spaces where they
consume, create, and share information. From
addressing plagiarism to piracy, students
learn about copyright and fair use.

Relationships & Communication

Students reflect on how they can use intrapersonal and interpersonal skills to build and
strengthen positive online communication
and communities. They delve into the concept
of digital citizenship and digital ethics, and
they reflect on their online interactions.

Information Literacy

Information literacy includes the ability to

identify, find, evaluate, and use information
effectively. From effective search strategies to
evaluation techniques, students learn how to
evaluate the quality, credibility, and validity of
websites, and give proper credit.

Cyberbullying

Students learn what to do if they are involved

in a cyberbullying situation. They explore the
roles people play and how individual actions
both negative and positive can impact
their friends and broader communities. Students are encouraged to take the active role
of upstander and build positive, supportive
online communities.

Internet Safety

Students explore how the Internet offers an

amazing way to collaborate with others worldwide, while staying safe through employing
strategies such as distinguishing between
inappropriate contact and positive connections.
These foundational skills are just the beginning!

DIGITAL LITERACY AND CITIZENSHIP IN A CONNECTED CULTURE

2014 www.commonsense.org

Scope and Sequence: Grades K2

Use our Scope & Sequence to find the lessons that are just right for your classroom and school. Our cross-curricular approach
covers eight categories:
Internet Safety

Privacy & Security

Relationships &
Communication

Cyberbullying

Digital Footprint
& Reputation

Self-image
& Identity

Information
Literacy

Creative Credit
& Copyright

The Sequence consists of three units, each containing five cross-curricular lessons, which build upon each other by reinforcing
developmentally appropriate topics. You can use the units either sequentially by grade or at any grade level within this band.
UNIT

CATEGORY

TITLE

DESCRIPTION

Going Places Safely

Students learn that they can go to exciting places online, but they need to follow
certain rules to remain safe.

A-B-C Searching

Students search for pictures online by clicking on letters of the alphabet. They
learn that directory sites with alphabetical listings offer one way to find things on
the Internet.

Keep It Private

Students learn that many websites ask for information that is private and discuss
how to responsibly handle such requests.

My Creative Work

Students are introduced to the concept of having ownership over creative work.
They practice putting their name and date on something they produce.

Sending Email

Students explore how they can use email to communicate with real people
within their schools, families, and communities.

Staying Safe Online

Students understand that they should stay safe online by choosing websites
that are good for them to visit, and avoid sites that are not appropriate for them.

Follow the Digital Trail

Students learn that the information they put online leaves a digital footprint or trail.
This trail can be big or small, helpful or hurtful, depending on how they manage it.

Screen Out the Mean

Students learn that children sometimes can act like bullies when they are
online. They explore what cyberbullying means and what they can do when
they encounter it.

Using Keywords

Students understand that keyword searching is an effective way to locate

information on the Internet. They learn how to select keywords to produce the
best search results.

Sites I Like

Students discuss criteria for rating informational websites and apply them
to an assigned site. Students learn that all websites are not equally good
sources of information.

Powerful Passwords

Students explore reasons why people use passwords, learn the benefits of
using passwords, and discover strategies for creating and keeping strong,
secure passwords.

My Online Community

Students explore the concept that people can connect with one another through
the Internet. They understand how the ability for people to communicate online
can unite a community.

Things for Sale

Students examine product websites and understand that the purpose of the site
is to encourage buying the product. Students learn methods used to promote
products on these sites.

Show Respect Online

Students explore the similarities and differences between in-person and online
communications, and then learn how to write clear and respectful messages.

Writing Good Emails

Students learn how to communicate effectively by email, taking into account the
purpose and audience of their message, and the tone they want to convey.

DIGITAL LITERACY AND CITIZENSHIP IN A CONNECTED CULTURE

2014 www.commonsense.org

Scope and Sequence: Grades 3 5

Use our Scope & Sequence to find the lessons that are just right for your classroom and school. Our cross-curricular approach
covers eight categories:
Internet Safety

Privacy & Security

Relationships &
Communication

Cyberbullying

Digital Footprint
& Reputation

Self-image
& Identity

Information
Literacy

Creative Credit
& Copyright

The Sequence consists of three units, each containing five cross-curricular lessons, which build upon each other by reinforcing
developmentally appropriate topics. You can use the units either sequentially by grade or at any grade level within this band.
UNIT

CATEGORY

TITLE

DESCRIPTION

Rings of Responsibility

Students explore what it means to be responsible to and respectful of their offline

and online communities as a way to learn how to be good digital citizens.

Private and
Personal Information

How can you protect yourself from online identity theft? Students think critically
about the information they share online.

The Power of Words

Students consider that they may get online messages from other kids that can
make them feel angry, hurt, sad, or fearful. Students identify actions that will
make them Upstanders in the face of cyberbullying.

The Key to Keywords

Students learn strategies to increase the accuracy of their keyword searches

and make inferences about the effectiveness of the strategies.

Whose Is It, Anyway?

Students learn that copying the work of others and presenting it as ones own
is called plagiarism. They also learn about when and how its ok to use the
work of others.

Strong Passwords

Students learn how to create secure passwords in order to protect their private
information and accounts online.

Digital Citizenship Pledge

Students work together to outline common expectations in order to build a strong

digital citizenship community. Each member of the class signs a We the Digital
Citizens Pledge.

Youve Won a Prize!

Students learn what spam is, the forms it takes, and then identify strategies for
dealing with it.

How to Cite a Site

Students reflect on the importance of citing all sources when they do research.
They then learn how to write bibliographical citations for online sources.

Picture Perfect

Students learn how photos can be altered digitally. They will consider the creative
upsides of photo alteration, as well as its power to distort our perceptions of beauty
and health.

Talking Safely Online

Students learn that the Internet is a great place to develop rewarding relationships. But they also learn not to reveal private information to a person they
know only online.

Super Digital Citizen

Students explore Spider-Mans motto, with great power comes great responsibility through the lens of digital citizenship. They create comic strips show a
digital superhero who witnesses an act of poor digital citizenship, and then
helps resolve it.

Privacy Rules

Students learn that childrens websites must protect their private information.
They learn to identify these secure sites by looking for their privacy policies
and privacy seals of approval.

Whats Cyberbullying?

Students explore how it feels to be cyberbullied, how cyberbullying is similar to or

different than in-person bullying, and learn strategies for handling cyberbullying
when it arises.

Selling Stereotypes

Students explore how the media can play a powerful role in shaping our ideas
about girls and boys. They practice identifying messages about gender roles in
two online activity zones for kids.

DIGITAL LITERACY AND CITIZENSHIP IN A CONNECTED CULTURE

2014 www.commonsense.org

Scope and Sequence: Grades 6 8

Use our Scope & Sequence to find the lessons that are just right for your classroom and school. Our cross-curricular approach
covers eight categories:
Internet Safety

Privacy & Security

Relationships &
Communication

Cyberbullying

Digital Footprint
& Reputation

Self-image
& Identity

Information
Literacy

Creative Credit
& Copyright

The Sequence consists of three units, each containing five cross-curricular lessons, which build upon each other by reinforcing
developmentally appropriate topics. You can use the units either sequentially by grade or at any grade level within this band.
UNIT

CATEGORY

TITLE

DESCRIPTION

Digital Life 101

Students are introduced to the 24/7, social nature of digital media and technologies,
and gain basic vocabulary and knowledge for discussing the media landscape.

Strategic Searching

Students learn that to conduct effective and efficient online searches, they must
use a variety of searching strategies.

Scams & Schemes

Students learn strategies for guarding against identity theft and scams that try to
access their private information online.

Cyberbullying: Be Upstanding

Students learn about the difference between being a passive bystander versus a
brave upstander in cyberbullying situations.

A Creators Rights

Students are introduced to copyright, fair use, and the rights they have as creators.

My Media

Students review their media habits and the array of media they use on a weekly
basis, and reflect on the role of digital media in their lives.

A Creators Responsibilities

Students reflect on their responsibilities as creators and users of creative work.

Safe Online Talk

While acknowledging the benefits of online talk and messaging, students learn how
to handle situations or online behavior which may make them feel uncomfortable.

Which Me Should I Be?

Students learn that presenting themselves in different ways online carries both
benefits and risks.

Gender Stereotypes Online

Students analyze a Dress Up Your Avatar feature of a virtual world for kids for
evidence of stereotypes about boys and girls.

Trillion Dollar Footprint

Students learn that they have a digital footprint and that this information can be
searched, copied and passed on, but that they can take some control based on
what they post online.

Identifying High-Quality Sites

Students learn that anyone can publish on the Web, so not all sites are
equally trustworthy.

Reality of Digital Drama

Students draw connections between young teens perceptions of digital drama

and stereotypes of men and women on reality TV.

Cyberbullying: Crossing
the Line

Students learn to distinguish good-natured teasing from cyberbullying.

Rework, Reuse, Remix

Students expand their understanding of fair use, apply it to case studies, and
create an original work of fair use.

DIGITAL LITERACY AND CITIZENSHIP IN A CONNECTED CULTURE

2014 www.commonsense.org

Scope and Sequence: Grades 9 12

Use our Scope & Sequence to find the lessons that are just right for your classroom and school. Our cross-curricular approach
covers eight categories:
Internet Safety

Privacy & Security

Relationships &
Communication

Cyberbullying

Digital Footprint
& Reputation

Self-image
& Identity

Information
Literacy

Creative Credit
& Copyright

The Sequence consists of four units, each containing five cross-curricular lessons, which build upon each other by reinforcing
developmentally appropriate topics. You can use the units either sequentially by grade or at any grade level within this band.
UNIT

CATEGORY

TITLE

DESCRIPTION

Digital Life 102

Students test their knowledge of digital media and talk about the role media
plays in their lives.

Oops! I Broadcast it on
the Internet

Students are introduced to the benefits of sharing information online and the
potential risks of sharing inappropriate information.

Copyrights and Wrongs

Students explore the legal and ethical dimensions of respecting creative work.

Feeling On Display

Students reflect on the different pressures teens face when it comes to editing,
posting, and commenting on photos online.

Turn Down the Dial on Cyberbullying and Online Cruelty

Students learn that cruelty can escalate quickly online because people are
often anonymous and posts spread quickly.

My Online Code

Students discuss their understanding of ethical behavior and are introduced

to the concept of online ethics.

Who Are You Online?

Students explore how they and others represent themselves online, and the
relationship between online and offline selves.

Building Community Online

Students examine websites that foster positive community.

Overexposed: Sexting
and Relationships

Students explore the risks and responsibilities of carrying out romantic

relationships in the digital world.

Risky Online Relationships

Students think critically about developing relationships with people online.

Rights, Remixes, and Respect

Students reflect on the differences between taking inspiration from the creative
work of others and appropriating that work without permission.

Taking Perspectives
on Cyberbullying

Students learn about the dynamics of online cruelty and how it affects all of
the people involved.

Whats the Big Deal about

Internet Privacy?

Students explore the concept of privacy in their everyday lives, and as it relates
to using the Internet.

Becoming a Web Celeb

Students explore the upsides and downsides of becoming famous online, and
reflect on whether the experience can differ for boys and girls.

College Bound

Students learn that everything they or anyone else posts about them online
becomes part of a public online presence known as a digital footprint.

Private Today,
Public Tomorrow

Students reflect on their responsibility to protect the privacy of others when

posting information about them online.

Does it Matter Who

Has Your Data?

Students consider the ways websites and companies collect data online
and utilize it to personalize content for their users, as well as consider
companies motives in doing so.

Breaking Down Hate Speech

Students learn the definition of hate speech and understand how it affects
individuals, groups, and communities.

Retouching Reality

Students think critically about the different purposes and contexts of digital
image editing.

Collective Intelligence

Students consider both the benefits and drawbacks of using collective

intelligence in different contexts.

DIGITAL LITERACY AND CITIZENSHIP IN A CONNECTED CULTURE

2014 www.commonsense.org

Scope and Sequence: Library

Use our Scope & Sequence to find the lessons that are just right for your classroom and school. Our cross-curricular approach
covers eight categories:

GRADE

Internet Safety

Privacy & Security

Relationships &
Communication

Cyberbullying

Digital Footprint
& Reputation

Self-image
& Identity

Information
Literacy

Creative Credit
& Copyright

CATEGORY

TITLE

DESCRIPTION

3-5

Group Think

Students identify actions that will make them upstanders in the face
of cyberbullying.

3-5

Rating Websites

Students discuss criteria for rating informational websites and apply them
to an assigned site. Students learn that all websites are not equally good
sources of information.

3-5

Right Sites

Using the Which Sites Are Right for You? Student Handout, students visit two
different websites about extreme animals and rate the sites according to their
quality and appeal.

3-5

Advertising Detectives

Students learn to recognize five different kinds of online ads prevalent on

childrens sites. They learn how to distinguish advertising content from other
content on a website.

3-5

Choosing a Search Site

Through online observations, students record and compare the features

of different search sites. They learn to choose the best site or sites to
suit their purposes.

6-8

Secret Sharer

Students look beyond protecting their own privacy to respecting the privacy
of others online.

6-8

Top Secret

Students review what they have learned about protecting their privacy online
and respecting the privacy of others.

6-8

Forms and Norms

Students will learn the forms and norms of effective communication in

an online context.

6-8

Chart It

Students will learn to assess peoples intentions and the impact of their
words and actions, both positive and negative, in online environments.

6-8

Cracking the Gender Code

Students explore boy codes and girl codes, and discuss the extent to
which they shape peoples online identities and relationships.

6-8

Sticky Sites

Students learn about some of the features that attract and retain visitors
to websites. They also learn to recognize the commercial motives that
sometimes lie behind these sticky sites.

6-8

With Power
Comes Responsibility

Students explore what it means to be responsible and respectful to their

offline and online communities as a step towards learning about the
characteristics of good digital citizens.

6-8

Build Your Ideal Community

Students will consider the characteristics of positive online communities that

promote responsibility and respect.

6-8

The Ups and Downs of

Digital Life

Students reflect on the possibilities and pitfalls of digital media for themselves,
for their relationships with people close to them, and for society at large.

6-8

Crawling the Web

Students learn to make informed choices about which search sites to use
for different purposes. They also learn to use multiple search tools to get
the best results.

DIGITAL LITERACY AND CITIZENSHIP IN A CONNECTED CULTURE

2014 www.commonsense.org