Lesson: Finding Balance in Our Digital Lives
In this lesson, students look at the different ways in which we spend our free time and learn to find balance between active, learning and media activities.
Grade range: 1-3
Teacher Material: https://textbook.mediasmarts.ca/blocks-teachertext/chapter/kinds-of-time/
Student Material: https://textbook.mediasmarts.ca/buildingblocks/chapter/i-wish-i-will/
Time Frame
| One class period (45-60 minutes) | Two or three class periods (90-120 minutes) | Extended Unit |
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| Activities |
Kinds of Time Divided Time
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Kinds of Time Divided Time Magic Time
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Kinds of Time
Divided Time Magic Time Wacky Media Songs: Think Twice With That Device! |
Preparation:
- Prepare to distribute the graphic organizer Balance Your Time
- Prepare to either distribute the student handout I Wish… or ensure that students can access the student chapter I Wish… I Will….
- A printable version of this lesson is available at https://mediasmarts.ca/teacher-resources/finding-balance-our-digital-lives.
Learning Outcomes
Big ideas/key concepts: Students will understand that…
Digital media experiences are shaped by the tools we use
- How media tools are made can affect how we use them
Key questions:
- How can we balance the different kinds of activities in our lives?
- How can we use social media without engaging in the “comparison game”?
Essential knowledge: Students will know…
- Media health: The importance of balancing screen time with other activities; How features like autoplay can make use use devices longer than we mean to; Strategies for balancing screen use
- Key vocabulary: Autoplay
Performance tasks: Students will be able to…
- Use: Develop strategies for healthy and mindful media use
- Understand: Analyze how features of digital tools influence how they are used
- Engage: Reflect on how their media habits affect their mental and physical health
Curriculum Connections
Strand A: Literacy Connections and Applications
A2. Digital Media Literacy
A2.2 Online Safety, Well-Being, and Etiquette
demonstrate an understanding of how to navigate online environments safely, manage their privacy, and interact in a way that supports their well-being and that of others, including seeking appropriate permission
A2.4 Forms, Conventions and Techniques
demonstrate an understanding of the forms, conventions, and techniques of digital and media texts, and apply this understanding when analyzing texts
A2.6 Innovation and Design
use digital and media tools to support stages of the design process and to develop creative solutions to authentic, real-world problems
A3. Applications, Connections and Contributions
A3.1 Cross-Curricular and Integrated Learning
apply the knowledge and skills developed in this grade to support learning in various subject areas and identify some ways this learning can be used in everyday life
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