Evidence Locker Masthead

This Lens In Action: Mini-lessons to Try Tomorrow!

Chapter 3: [GRADES 4-5]

Mini Lessons - Grades 4-6

Mini Lesson #1

Link to Resource
Notes for the Teacher
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 Lessons - Grades 4-6

Mini Lesson #2

Link to Resource
Notes for the Teacher
  1. Depending on how you frame this comic, Digital Detectives can be prompted to consider how information triggered emotions may lead to specific questions.
  2. 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 Lessons - Grades 4-6

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…

  1.  Using the [INFOGRAPHIC] “Is This An Official Account?” have Digital Detectives create an “official account” for the person they’ve been assigned.
  2. As a possible extension, have Digital Detectives share their work with a partner – using their feedback to revise and update their work.