Technology and Digital Citizenship Group - Technology Counseling Group

This technology focused counseling group helps students learn how to become good digital citizens through cyberbullying prevention, monitoring their digital footprint, and being mindful with technology.

Tech-Savvy Tweens is a low-prep 8-week upper elementary and middle school technology group set to ASCA Standards and Objectives. Group members will practice self-reflection, communication, discernment and more with each week's tech-based activities.

I have done class lessons on cyber safety and digital citizenship in the past but with this group, I go much deeper and cover all of the topics tweens and teens need to know in order to navigate our tech-savvy world.

Group Outline

Week 1: Introduction

Week 2: Digital Citizenship - how to be respectful and responsible online

Week 3: Cyber Safety - determining what information is okay to share online

Week 4: Digital Footprint and the Comparison Trap - realizing the impact of what you post online and the impact social media has on self-esteem

Week 5: Limiting Screen Time

Week 6: Being Mindful with Technology

Week 7: Technology as a Productivity Hack

Week 8: Review and Closure

WHAT’S INCLUDED Each Week:

↠ Group Rules: Suggested and DIY Group Rules poster so students can take ownership of the creation of the group rules and norms.

↠ Feelings Check: Feelings Check Poster to serve as a visual aid for students to self-reflect on their emotional state at the start of each session.

↠ Self-Assessments: Pre and post group self-assessments to track student growth and make data collection easy!

↠ Outlines: Weekly, easy to follow outlines with objectives to meet ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors.

↠ Games & Activities: A wide variety of games and activities each week including discussion games, dice games, card games, and beach ball toss.

↠ Journals: Weekly journal prompts for self-reflection

Icebreakers Include:

• "Speed Dating" Get to Know You Game
• True or False Sort
• Sides of the Room Discussion/Debate
• King of Hearts Discussion Dice Game
• Video and Discussion/Debate
• Mindfulness Activity
• Collaboration Activity
• Discussion Dice Game

Activities Include:

• Goal Setting Discussion Cards
• Bullying Prevention Circle Chat Beach Ball Toss
• Cyber Safety Discussion Cards
• Dissect "Perfect" Instagram Post
• "Day in the Life" Screen Time Analysis
• Discussion Dice Game
• Productivity Plan

BENEFITING STUDENTS

Each week students will learn technology management techniques they can use at home and school to help them make good choices online. In addition, they will improve communication skills and learn critical thinking and practice self-reflection.

At a minimum, being in this counseling group allows students to identify and share their feelings, develop self-esteem through participation, and practice empathy while hearing others’ experiences.

SAVING TIME

With easy to implement outlines and activities, this group curriculum is very low-prep. Simply print out each session before students arrive and keep them in a file folder. For tips on how to organize your small groups, check out this blog post I wrote. The self-assessments are a great way to get students to self-reflect on their progress and you can then share this information with teachers, parents, or in your program report.

Also, make sure to track your data and compile it into an end of the year report. Here is an outline I created to make it easy!

Who is this Group Designed For?

Tech Savvy Tweens is designed for students grades 4-8.

Want a free sample of this group? Visit my WEBSITE and subscribe to my email list to access my Free School Counseling Resource Library.

RELATED SCHOOL COUNSELING RESOURCES:

* Self-Control Upper Elementary and Middle School Group - Calming the Storm

* Friendship Upper Elementary and Middle School Group - Growing Friends

* Goal Setting Upper Elementary and Middle School Group - Goal Climbers

* Stress Upper Elementary and Middle School Group - Stress Busters

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