Level 2: Information Literacy | Cyber Civics
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LEVEL 2: INFORMATION LITERACY (Recommended for 7th Grade)

Youth today must know how to find, retrieve, analyze, and use online information, especially as artificial intelligence (AI) transforms how they do research online! This comprehensive, ready-to-teach program equips you to deliver a full year of engaging “Information Literacy” lessons. It includes weekly lesson plans, hands-on activities, slides with embedded videos, take-home parent letters, and full teacher support. Perfect for classroom or homeschool use.

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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Tech-savvy? Maybe. Information-literate? Not so much.


While today’s students may appear fluent in technology, research shows most lack a strong grasp of information literacy—the ability to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information effectively. Resources on this topic exist in bits and pieces, but we couldn’t find a complete, cohesive curriculum—so we created this one.

 

About Level 2

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This comprehensive, teacher-led program is continually updated to keep pace with evolving technology. For example, several lessons explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping online search, including an expanded unit on “AI and Research.”

Just like Level 1, these lessons emphasize ethical reflection and critical thinking through discussion, decision-making, hands-on projects, and role-play. You’ll receive detailed lesson plans, interactive slides (with original embedded videos), parent/child take-home activities, student packets, and full teaching support. And best of all? This level can be taught with or without devices.

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We also offer: 

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Digital On-Ramps for Grades 4-5

Level 1 (Digital Citizenship) for Grade 6​

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

​​subscriber-only  CURRICULUM 

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TEACHER PREP

  • Getting Started Guide for Teachers

  • Syllabus

  • Teaching at Home Guide

  • What is Cyber Civics? Explainer

  • Student Pre- and Post- Assessments

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USING 1:1 DEVICES

Although these lessons can be taught without having students on devices, some offer the option to use technology. This lesson that students with school-issued devices use them safely and responsibly.

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  • Teacher Guide

  • Home Activities

  • 1:1 Device Care and Management

  • The Safe and Responsible Use of Technology

 

UNIT 1: LEARNING BALANCE

Before learning to use the Internet as a research source, students examine how they spend their time. The goal of this unit is to inspire students to seek a balanced approach to their online and offline lives.

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  • Teacher Guide

  • Home Activities

  • Your Time

  • Your Time Part 2

 

UNIT 2:

ONLINE SAFETY & SECURITY 

While today's tools offer access to a wealth of information, they can also open the door to possible nrisks. This unit helps students become aware of  these risks and provides basic information to keep them safe online.

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  • Teacher Guide

  • Home Activities

  • Online Safety 101

  • Online Threats & Scams

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UNIT 3:

SEARCHING THE WEB

Students are introduced to the basics of Internet search, learn to craft effective search queries, understand how to effectively evaluate search engine results page, and consider the impact of AI on search.

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  • Teacher Guide

  • Parent Letter w/Activities

  • Elements of a Web Search

  • How Does Search Work?

  • Constructing a Search Query

  • Anatomy of a Results Page

  • What About Wikipedia?

  • Why Can't I Cut and Paste?

  • Unit Quiz

 

UNIT 4: AI & RESEARCH

Today’s students are growing up in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming embedded in nearly everything they do—including searching the Internet. In this unit, they begin to become AI-literate by understanding how algorithms, chatbots, and generative AI are already impacting Internet search, and much more.

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  • Teacher Guide

  • Home Activities

  • Algorithms Are Everywhere

  • What is Artificial Intelligence?

  • Generative AI and Research

  • Using Generative AI Responsibly

  • Unit Quiz

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Unit 5: YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

Understanding how and why personal information is gathered and shared online is essential knowledge for anyone who uses the Internet. It is especially important for young people just starting to use websites and social networks to make careful choices about sharing personal information. They should understand the terms in “Terms of Use,” know what filter bubbles are, and learn that the choices they make now will impact the information they’ll receive in the future.

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  • Teacher Guide

  • Home Activities

  • Who's Watching You?

  • Privacy Policies: Who Reads Them?

  • Understanding Terms of Use

  • Algorithms are Awesome. Or Are They?

  • Help! I'm Trapped in a Filter Bubble

  • What Makes a Password Great?

  • What Would You Collect?

  • Unit Quiz

 

UNIT 6: COPYRIGHT | FAIR USE | PUBLIC DOMAIN

Because digital tools make it so easy (and fun!) for anyone to share their creativity online today, it is important for young people to understand the important law of copyright. 

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  • Teacher Guide

  • Home Activities

  • What is Copyright?

  • Why Copyright Matters

  • Sharing Your Creativity

  • Public Domain and Fair Use

  • Living in a Remix World

  • The Future of Creativity: AI & Art

  • Unit Quiz

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COLLABORATIVE FINAL

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The final test for this unit is unlike any other!

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