Let's Take a Trip

Students will:

• Be able to learn the three rules for staying safe when going online.
• Understand what sites are appropriate for them.

Vocabulary Words:

1. Online: Being online is connected to the Internet. 

2. Website: A website is a place you can visit on the Internet.

To prepare for this lesson:

• This lesson will touch the surface of virtual field trips. There are MANY resources if you are interested in group distance learning opportunities

• Common Sense has a 45-minute lesson on going places safely. This is a more condensed version. The version in its entirety is located at Safety in My Online Neighborhood. 

• View the Common Sense Video on 5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids. 

• Decide what field trip/trips you would like to go on.

• Virtual Zoo Webcams at the San Diego Zoo are highly recommended. On these, students can explore with teacher facilitation. They LOVE these! There are many activities that the students can do on the San Diego Zoo site. 

• Visit the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration website. CILC partners with world-renowned museums, zoos, science centers, experts, and more, to connect individuals to live, interactive, virtual visits that inspire learning.

• Discovery Education has virtual trips for FREE too. 

• Make copies of the Going Place Safely Handout.

• Teach the students the three rules for being safe:

  • Ask an adult first.
  • Stick to websites that fit you best.
  • Never talk online to people you don’t know.

See the Accommodations Page and Charts on the 21things4student website in the Teacher Resources. 

Directions for this activity:

1. The teacher will begin by saying, “Boys and Girls, today we are going to go on a field trip far away, but guess what?? We are not leaving this room.’”

2. Talk to students about what are some of the rules they need on a  field trip.

3. Suggested responses: Get help from adults, stay in a familiar place, and don’t talk to strangers.

4. Say, “ Well, when we go online, we need some rules too. Let’s watch this video about how to be safe online.”

5. Play 5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids.

6. Then ask students to tell you what the three rules were for going online.

7. Explain how they are similar to the rules of all field trips.

8. When talking about sites that are right for you, show them the site on Michael Jordan and ask them if they think it is a site that fits them.

9. They will say no for various reasons ( too many words, no pictures, I can’t read this, etc.)

10. Get students excited about going to the San Diego Zoo (or the site of your choice)

11. Demonstrate the site.

12. Allow students time to explore the site.

13. If the is time, have them complete the Going Places Safely handout. 

14. There is a parent letter from the San Diego Zoo that can be sent home as well, so parents know where to go. Most really enjoy it and want to return.

Different options for assessing the students:

• Observations
• Check for understanding
• Use the handout Going Places Safely.