Cracking the Code of Online Words

This lesson is designed to build students’ competencies in the following skills:

• critical thinking
• collaboration
• communication
• community engagement
• digital literacy
• ethical understanding
• global citizenship

Australian Curriculum (v9.0) content description:

Year 3 English

Students learn to:

• extend topic-specific and technical vocabulary and know that words can have different meanings in different contexts (AC9E3LA10).

Year 4 English

Students learn to:

• expand vocabulary by exploring a range of synonyms and antonyms, and using words encountered in a range of sources (AC9E4LA11).

Year 3 & 4 HPE

Students learn to:

• describe and apply protective behaviours and help-seeking strategies in a range of online and offline situations (AC9HP4P08).

Relevant parts of Year 3 & 4 achievement standards: Students explain how texts reflect contexts. They use topic-specific vocabulary and literary devices. Students describe and apply protective behaviours and help-seeking strategies to keep themselves and others safe online and offline.

General capabilities: Digital Literacy, Personal and Social Capability 

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability

Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium: facilitation of discussion and mini challenges.

UN SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

• Device to display presentation to the class
• Activity sheet - Puzzle pieces (1 per group)
• Extension template
• Paper, pens or mini whiteboards
• Visual Explainer - The 4 C’s in Context

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to keeping children and young people free from violence and trauma wherever they live, learn and play. The eSmart: Digital Licence program is a comprehensive suite of educator-led lessons for learners aged 4-12 years. Co-designed with learners, educators and experts, the program is tailored to Australian children's online experiences, ensuring a proactive, age-appropriate, and rights-based curriculum that equips learners to navigate the digital world safely, responsibly, and ethically. The program is adaptable to a range of education settings and offers all the resources needed to build essential digital and media literacy skills. These lessons are designed to assist teachers by introducing the 4Cs of online safety risk areas: content, contact, compulsion, and conduct, to prepare students for earning their Digital Licence. Please contact us for any further eSmart support at esmart@amf.org.au.

Protecting Yourself Online: A Guide for Educators

Quick summary: This course covers practical steps to safeguard your privacy and manage your online presence effectively. You’ll explore key risks in the online environment, how to protect your privacy, and what students are engaging with online.