< Back to Library
Curricular Connections Accordion
Login
or create an account to
view this content
Grade 6: Making Healthy Choices
D2. Demonstrate the ability to apply health knowledge and social-emotional learning skills to make reasoned decisions and take appropriate actions relating to their personal health and well-being.
D2.3 Apply social-emotional learning skills (e.g., self-awareness and self-management skills, including anger management; communication skills, including listening skills and assertiveness skills) to promote positive interaction and avoid or manage conflict in social situations, in person or online.
Dimensions of the Digital Competency Framework: #6: Interacting Via Digital Technology. #8: Acting In An Ethical Manner Consistent With The Principles Of Digital Citizenship.
Objectives Accordion
Login
or create an account to
view this content
Learning Goals
Students will be able to...
- Explain what cybersecurity is and why it is important to protect virtual systems and data
- Analyze strategies for creating and maintaining strong passwords
- Identify and describe various methods of social engineering and hacking used by malicious agents"
Success Criteria
I can...
- Define cybersecurity and describe its relevance in protecting personal and shared digital information
- Apply strategies to create a unique and strong password that maximizes security
- Recognize the signs of social engineering and phishing attempts
Material Accordion
Login
or create an account to
view this content
Required Materials
For some of the hands-on activities, you will need an internet connection to access the following sites:
- Gandalf Lakera ai
- Manual code guess
- Automated code guess
- Government of Canada The 7 red flags of phishing
Optional Materials
Lesson Accordion
Login
or create an account to
view this content
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Prior Knowledge |
Basic understanding of using a web browser and accessing digital sites. Familiarity with the concept of a password and having personal digital accounts (e.g., email, games). General awareness of online threats or the need for digital safety. |
| Minds On |
Minds On: 5 minutes Consider asking students to reflect on the following questions as a whole group: Cybersecurity What is it? Provide your own definition. Passwords What makes a password weak or strong? How do passwords work? Hacking What is the first image or word that you think of when you hear the word hacker? |
| Model |
Introduce Core Concepts (15 minutes): Define Cybersecurity, emphasizing why it matters and how it protects users. Using the slides provided, or acquired knowledge, to review the three main topics: Passwords, Social Engineering, and Hacking. Guided Instruction: Navigate to the required sites (e.g., Manual Code Guess, Gandalf Lakera ai). Demonstrate one example of evaluating a weak password or identifying a red flag of phishing using the provided Government of Canada resource. |
| Practice |
Activity 1: Password Strength Challenge (20 minutes): Direct students to the 'Manual code guess' and 'Automated code guess' sites. Challenge students to test different password structures (length, complexity, phrases) and record the time/difficulty for guessing or cracking them. Discussion points should include how common knowledge impacts password safety. Activity 2: Phishing Flag Hunt (15 minutes): Students review the Government of Canada - The 7 red flags of phishing resource. Provide example scenarios ""Phish or not a Phish"" from the slidedeck. Have students identify which 'red flags' are present, explaining their reasoning based on their learning about Social Engineering. |
| Consolidation |
Consolidation (10 minutes): Facilitate a discussion reviewing the success criteria. Ask: "What is one change you can make to your online habits after this lesson?" Conclude by revisiting the importance of cybersecurity, referencing its connection to global issues like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). |
| Modifications & Accommodations |
|
Assessment Accordion
Login
or create an account to
view this content
Formative
Use the Minds On prompt as a "Knowledge Check Before Starting" or diagnostic tool to gauge prior understanding of Passwords, Social Engineering, and Hacking.
Extension Accordion
Login
or create an account to
view this content
Cross Curricular Connections
Language Arts: Analyze phishing attempts as persuasive texts, focusing on the techniques used to trick the recipient (e.g., urgency, authority, familiarity).
Mathematics: Explore the mathematics behind password strength, calculating the probability of guessing simple versus complex passwords.
Extend Your Thinking
- Research Ethical Hacking: View the provided videos on Ethical Hacking. Research and summarize the difference between black, white, and grey hat hackers. Get thinking started by watching the video in the resource list.
- Cybersecurity Policy: Draft a brief personal or family cybersecurity policy that covers password management and how to respond to suspicious emails/messages.