Digital Wellness Activities K-5

As part of KLSD's ongoing work around Digital Wellness & Artificial Intelligence, we are continuing to strengthen how we help students develop a healthy, balanced, safe, and purposeful relationship with technology.

This work is grounded in our Technology Vision, which emphasizes the intentional use of technology to create learning experiences that are aligned, creative, and empowering. An important part of that vision is helping students become digitally literate learners who can use technology responsibly, thoughtfully evaluate information, and develop healthy habits - while maintaining a balance between digital and non-digital experiences.

Digital citizenship has already been an important part of learning across our schools. At the elementary level, our Library Media Specialists and Technology Teacher Assistants have taught lessons focused on responsible technology use and internet safety - helping students make safe, responsible, and thoughtful choices when using technology and interacting online.

This year, we are refreshing and aligning this learning across our three elementary schools, while expanding our focus on digital wellness - helping students develop healthy, balanced, and purposeful habits with technology.

Each October, schools across the country recognize Digital Citizenship Week, taking place this year from October 19-23. At KLSD, we are extending that spotlight throughout the entire month to give students more opportunities to explore digital citizenship and wellness.

Throughout October, our Library Media Specialists and Technology Teacher Assistants will collaborate during library classes to engage students in age-appropriate lessons that build from Kindergarten through Grade 5. Across grade levels, learning connects to six broad themes:

• 🌱 Healthy Habits: We find balance in our digital lives.
• 🔐 Privacy & Safety: We protect ourselves and others online.
• 👣 Digital Footprint & Identity: We define who we are.
• 💬 Relationships & Communication: We value human connection.
• 🤝 Cyberbullying & Online Harms: We are kind and courageous.
• 💡 Information & Media Literacy: We are critical thinkers and creators.

Lessons draw from Common Sense Education's Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum, which provides age-appropriate resources for helping students navigate technology and media safely, responsibly, and thoughtfully.

Each grade level will take a closer look at topics selected by our Library Media Specialists and Technology Teacher Assistants based on the skills and habits most relevant for students at that age. We know that technology use looks different in every family. These lessons provide all students with a shared foundation for making safe, healthy, and thoughtful choices about technology and media, now and as they grow.

Kindergarteners are beginning to explore what it means to use media and technology. Through concrete examples and simple routines, students learn about balance and when it's important to pause for the people around them.

• What Is Media? - Exploring what media is.
• Why We Pause for People - Practicing active listening when using devices.
• Media Balance - Building healthy habits with technology.

First graders are beginning to think more about the purpose behind different types of media. Students practice recognizing what is competing for their attention and making thoughtful choices about when and why they use technology.

• Managing Device Distractions - Staying focused when devices compete for our attention.
• Media: What's the Purpose? - Exploring who creates media and why.
• Understanding Ads - Recognizing ads and what they want us to do.

Second graders are ready to take greater responsibility for their choices. Students explore how technology can be used for learning, what it means to be a good digital citizen, and how to recognize times for technology and times to disconnect.

• Be a Super Digital Citizen - Making good choices online.
• Using Tech to Learn New Things - Exploring how technology can support learning.
• Device-Free Moments - Understanding why time away from devices matters.

As students become more independent learners and communicators, they begin thinking more deeply about the choices they make with technology.

• Making Healthy Media Choices - Thinking about healthy choices with media.
• Our Digital Footprints - Understanding how our online actions create a digital footprint.
• When Words Hurt Online - Learning how to respond to mean words online.

Fourth graders are developing stronger critical-thinking skills and greater awareness of privacy, safety, and well-being.

• Online Tracks: What Do We Control? - Considering what parts of our digital footprint we can control.
• Healthy Tech Habits & Our Feelings - Recognizing and responding to feelings about media and technology use.
• Gone Phishing - Recognizing phishing and learning how to protect ourselves.

Fifth graders deepen their understanding of healthy and balanced technology use. They explore the value of device-free moments, how media can influence their choices, and how to recognize content designed to grab their attention.

• Creating Device-Free Moments - Considering why device-free time is important.
• Spotting Media Influence - Thinking critically about how media can influence us.
• Don't Take the Bait! - Recognizing clickbait and learning how to avoid it.

October is one part of this ongoing work. Our Library Media Specialists and Technology Teacher Assistants have prioritized topics for each grade level based on their experiences working with our students and the skills and habits most relevant at each stage.

They have also selected follow-up lessons and activities to revisit and extend this learning throughout the school year. This allows students to build on these ideas over time as they develop greater independence with technology and media.

Together, these experiences help students build the skills and habits to navigate technology safely, thoughtfully, and with balance - both now and as they grow.

• 💡 KLSD Technology Vision: Explore our vision for intentional, aligned, creative, and empowering uses of technology.
• 🏠 Technology Resources for Families: Find information about student devices, digital tools, family access, data privacy, and technology support.