
This Lens In Action: Mini-lessons to Try Tomorrow!
Chapter 3: [GRADES 4-5]

Mini Lesson #1
Link to Resource
- Writing Good Questions: This tool can be used with the [INFOGRAPHIC] “Question Types” to help Digital Detectives practice the skill of asking effective questions.
Notes for the Teacher
- This can be used with the information of your choice. You might select a video, a picture book, or a post from social media that you share as a screenshot of using a document camera.
- After reviewing the media, have Digital Detectives practice writing questions in the four persona categories. Writing in a persona format can draw out empathy, creativity, and critical thinking skills. The writer isn’t writing as themself (high risk) but rather writing as a character with known characteristics.
- If writing the questions presents a barrier, a tool like Flipgrid can be used to help learners both record questions and provide feedback to others.

Mini Lesson #2
Link to Resource
- Finish The Comic #5 – by Jarrett Lerner! Use this activity to help Digital Detectives ask for help/develop lens specific questions.
Notes for the Teacher
- Depending on how you frame this comic, Digital Detectives can be prompted to consider how information triggered emotions may lead to specific questions.
- In a similar way, you may ask students to complete the comic by creating questions related to how the device affects their ability to parse credibility.

Mini Lesson #3
Link to Resource
- Blue Checkmark – Use this activity help Digital Detectives think critically about the elements that make social media profiles worthy of being “official.”
Notes for the Teacher
For this activity, assign Digital Detectives a figure from history (perhaps someone they’ve been studying) or a character from a book. Then…
- Using the [INFOGRAPHIC] “Is This An Official Account?” have Digital Detectives create an “official account” for the person they’ve been assigned.
- As a possible extension, have Digital Detectives share their work with a partner – using their feedback to revise and update their work.