Level 1: Digital Citizenship | Cyber Civics
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LEVEL 1: DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP (Recommended for 6th Grade)

Cyber Civics meets the urgent and growing demand to equip middle school students with the skills to become ethical, safe, and productive digital citizens. This turnkey program includes everything needed to deliver one full year of weekly in-classroom or at-home lessons on "digital citizenship" (the norms of appropriate and responsible technology use). Includes: teacher-led lesson plans, slides with embedded videos, engaging activities, parent letters w/activities, and ongoing teacher support.

Low subscription rate is based upon the number of students you will be teaching, contact us for a quote (special rates for districts and small schools).

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About Level 1

 

This is the first level of a three-year series of weekly lessons designed for middle school students. Each lesson is rich with engaging, hands-on activities that promote critical thinking, ethical reflection, and responsible decision-making. Through projects, problem-solving, and role-playing, students explore key aspects of digital citizenship—the norms of appropriate and responsible technology use.

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Tested and refined in classrooms across the U.S. and internationally over 15 years, these lessons align with key educational standards and are flexible enough to be taught at school or at home. Many parents request that students receive this instruction before they get their first mobile device!

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We also offer: 

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Digital On-Ramps for Grades 4-5

Level 2 (Information Literacy) for Grade 7​

Level 3 (Media Literacy) for Grade 8

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

  • Low subscription rate determined by size of school.

  • Any teacher at subscribing school/organization can open a private account and get access to all materials plus support.

  • Always-current resources are constantly updated.

  • Monthly newsletters announce new lessons and resources.

  • Multiple school/district discounts offered.

  • Low small school and home school rates.
  • For online demonstrations or onsite presentations, contact us.

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See Our Full FAQ's​

Request a Quote

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About Us

 

Cyber Civics™ began in 2010 at Journey School, a public Waldorf-inspired charter school in California. Today, it stands as one of the most comprehensive digital literacy programs available. Now taught in nearly every Waldorf school (both public and private), as well as in a wide range of public and private schools, after-school programs, and homeschool settings, the program has gained national recognition and enjoys a 98% school renewal rate. It has been featured in major media outlets, named a finalist for the “Innovation in Education” award by Project Tomorrow and the O.C. Tech Alliance, and earned its founder, Diana Graber, the “2017 Media Literacy Teacher Award” from the National Association of Media Literacy Education (NAMLE).

 

Graber also tells the story of Cyber Civics in her widely acclaimed book, Raising Humans in a Digital World: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Technology (HarperCollins Leadership).

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Testimonials

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"Cyber Civics continues to be one of the best investments we make in curriculum. Our scholars are learning how to be respectful and responsible digital citizens."

-Vanessa Baker, Socrates Academy

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"It’s all so easy to navigate, while also being extremely comprehensive... this is without a doubt the piece of the curriculum parents are the most grateful for."
 

-Kristi Robinson, Sierra Waldorf School

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"An excellent resource to teach students how to be safe and wise online. The activities, videos, resources, and support staff are all top-notch."

-Morgan Hensely, Southwestern Middle School

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"Cyber Civics lays a strong foundation for healthy digital ethics, information and computer literacy so when children face inevitable, difficult choices online, they will make the right decisions."

 

-Dr. Paul Helfrich, Westside Waldorf School

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"I love it so much!! The ratio of time commitment to value is fantastic. My own children are in my class and I love that they are getting this curriculum at school."

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-Elaine Boehme, St. Monica School

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"Our 6th grade team used Cyber Civics last school year and were impressed with the content and the activities. Very age appropriate and thorough. We are looking forward to expanding it into our 7th grade this coming year."

 

-Ellie Decker, Westview Middle School

 

"What is so great about Cyber Civics is that it is scaffolded. One lesson leads to the next one, which makes it easier for classes to see how all these topics are interrelated."

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-Library Media Curriculum Specialist, Milwaukee Public Schools

 

"We are grateful for this curriculum and excited about the new content regarding AI!"

 

-Jodie Bradley, Alabama Waldorf School

 

"It is the best program! EXCELLENT!"

 

-Sweekriti Apple, Olympia Waldorf School

 

"After seeing the Cyber Civics program presentation and learning more about it, I am please to endorse it on behalf of Charters OC as a solution to helping young people learn how to use digital media competently and thoughtfully."

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-Susan Mas, Executive Director, Charters OC

 

"Cyber Civics has helped our school bring meaningful conversation to our middle schoolers about technology, its place in the world, and our place online. It is a valuable teaching tool that fosters a thoughtful digital life. Thank you for this program!"

 

-Janna Stauffer, Chicago Waldorf School

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subscriber-only CURRICULUM 

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TEACHER PREP

  • Getting Started Guide 

  • Syllabus 

  • Teaching at Home Guide

  • What is Cyber Civics? Parent Explainer

  • Student Pre- and Post- Assessments

 

UNIT 1:

BECOMING A DE-TECH-TIVE

Students consider the impact technology has had upon society throughout history, before investigating the digital tools of today.

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  • Teacher Guide

  • Home Activities

  • De-Tech-Tive Work

  • How Much Do You Know?

  • ​Investigating Today's Tech

 

UNIT 2: CITIZENSHIP

Students learn the basic principles of citizenship as they explore what it means to be a citizen in the digital age.

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  • Teacher Guide

  • Home Activities

  • Principles of Citizenship

  • How To Be a Good Citizen Online

  • Designing a Positive Online Community

 

UNIT 3: YOUR DIGITAL REPUTATION

Through role-play and hands-on activities, students discover why and how to take a proactive role in managing what others learn about them online.

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  • Teacher Guide

  • Home Activities

  • Digital Background Check

  • To Share or Not To Share?

  • Your Digital Billboard

 

UNIT 4: ETHICAL THINKING

Students take part in activities that encourage them to reflect on the ethical impact of their choices and behaviors online.

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  • Teacher Guide

  • Home Activities

  • Ethical Thinking in Digital Spaces

  • Email Etiquette

  • Texting & Video Conferencing Etiquette

  • Commenting Respectfully

  • Creating a Code of Conduct

 

UNIT 5: CYBERBULLYING & DIGITAL DRAMA 

This important unit helps students identify cyberbullying, digital drama, and empowers them with strategies to protect themselves, their friends, and report cruelty of any kind.

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  • Teacher Guide

  • Home Activities

  • Hiding Behind a Screen

  • Real People, Real Feelings

  • What is Cyberbullying? Digital Drama?

  • Be Upstanding

  • What If You're The Target?

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UNIT 6: YOUR IDENTITY & PRIVACY

While the Internet can be a good place to explore different personas or identity characteristics, there can be danger in sharing too much personal information online, as students discover in this unit. They also explore “hate speech,” which is communication that attacks an individual or group based upon identity characteristics they cannot change. 

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  • Teacher Guide

  • Home Activities

  • Who Am I Online?

  • You Are The Words You Use

  • My Self, My Selfie

  • You, In Six Words

  • A-Okay or No Way

 

FINAL ACTIVITY

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  • Digital Citizenship Review

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