ChalkHour

Year 8 Computer Science: E-safety lesson pack

A complete, ready-to-teach KS3 lesson on e-safety. Below is a real sample of what ChalkHour makes: the full pack adds three levels of worksheet, model answers, a teaching explainer and print-ready PDF and Word files.

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Real sample

E-Safety: Navigating the Digital World Safely

This lesson covers essential e-safety skills for Year 8 students, focusing on digital footprints, identifying online threats like phishing and grooming, and practical steps for maintaining privacy and security in an increasingly connected world.

Learning objectives

  • Explain the concept of a 'Digital Footprint' and its long-term implications.
  • Identify signs of online grooming, phishing, and cyberbullying.
  • Apply strategies to create secure passwords and manage privacy settings effectively.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of how to report concerns to adults or organisations like CEOP.

Lesson plan (60 minutes)

  1. Introduction · 5 min

    Starter: 'True or False' whiteboard quiz on common internet myths.

  2. Teaching · 10 min

    Teacher-led explanation of Digital Footprints and Online Risks using the Explainer Script.

  3. Guided Practice · 10 min

    Class discussion: Identifying 'Red Flags' in social media messages and phishing emails.

  4. Independent Practice · 20 min

    Differentiated Worksheet Task: Students complete Support, Core, or Stretch tasks based on prior attainment.

  5. Assessment · 10 min

    8-Question Multiple Choice Quiz to assess learning.

  6. Closing · 5 min

    Plenary: The 'One Thing' rule - students share one thing they will change about their online behavior today.

Key vocabulary

Digital Footprint
The information about a particular person that exists on the internet as a result of their online activity.
Phishing
A fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames and passwords by disguising as a trustworthy entity.
Cyberbullying
The practice of using the internet, a social networking site, or a mobile phone to intimidate or upset someone.
Grooming
A process where an adult builds an emotional connection with a child to gain their trust for the purpose of exploitation.
2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)
A security process in which users provide two different authentication factors to verify themselves.

Core worksheet (first questions)

  1. Define 'digital footprint' and explain why it might matter to you in ten years' time.
  2. What is 'online grooming'? List three 'red flags' a young person should look out for.
  3. Explain the three main components of a secure password.
  4. Describe two ways you can stay safe when using social media apps.

Quiz (sample)

  1. 1. What is a 'Digital Footprint'?

    • A. A trail of data you leave behind online
    • B. A physical mark left on a keyboard
    • C. The speed of your internet connection
    • D. A type of computer virus

  2. 2. Which of the following makes a password strong?

    • A. Using a mix of symbols and numbers
    • B. Making it at least 12 characters long
    • C. Using a unique password for each site
    • D. All of the above

  3. 3. What does CEOP stand for?

    • A. Computer Emergency Operating Protocol
    • B. Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command
    • C. Central E-safety Organisation for Parents
    • D. Cyber Enforcement and Online Privacy

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Support and Stretch worksheets, every answer and model answer, the teaching explainer and common misconceptions, editable and ready to print as PDF or Word.

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