Curriculum

Cyber Elementary School Curriculum

36 lessons in cyber security, online safety, digital citizenship and AI safety for grades 3–6 — with a free video for every lesson.

🛒 Complete Lesson Plan Book ⬇ Free sample: Lesson 1 (all grades)
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  • Grades 3–6
  • 36 lessons
  • 4 units
  • 30–40 minutes each
  • Free video for every lesson

Cyber Elementary School is a cyber security, online safety, digital citizenship and AI safety curriculum for elementary students. The same 36 lesson topics run through every grade, and each grade level adds age-appropriate concepts, activities and quiz depth. It is written by Mark W. Mattei, a cybersecurity professional with 25+ years in the field, and published by Baldwin Terney Press.

Pick a grade

One book per grade, plus a complete edition

Scope & sequence

All 36 lessons

Unit 1: Cyber Security Basics

The everyday habits that keep accounts and devices safe, from strong passwords and updates to spotting phishing and backing up files.

  1. Creating Strong Passwords — Your Digital Lock and Key ▶ video
  2. Keeping Devices and Software Updated — Giving Your Digital Tools Their Checkup ▶ video
  3. Recognizing Phishing Emails and Messages — Don't Take the Bait ▶ video
  4. Understanding Malware and Viruses — Germs for Your Computer ▶ video
  5. Safe Wi-Fi and Network Habits — Locking Your Digital Front Door ▶ video
  6. Protecting Personal Information/Data — Your Digital Treasure Chest ▶ video
  7. Two-Factor Authentication Basics — A Second Lock on Your Account ▶ video
  8. Backing Up Important Data — Your Digital Safety Net ▶ video
  9. Physical Device Security — Protecting the Hardware, Not Just the Data ▶ video

Unit 2: Online Safety

How to share, post, play and browse safely: digital footprints, cyberbullying, online strangers, trustworthy websites, screen time and reporting problems.

  1. Sharing Information Safely Online — Think Before You Post ▶ video
  2. Understanding Digital Footprints — The Trail You Leave Online ▶ video
  3. Cyberbullying — Recognizing and Responding ▶ video
  4. Safe Social Media Habits — Using Apps the Smart Way ▶ video
  5. Stranger Danger Online — Not Everyone Is Who They Say They Are ▶ video
  6. Evaluating Trustworthy Websites — Not Everything Online Is True ▶ video
  7. Screen Time and Digital Balance — Making Room for Everything You Love ▶ video
  8. Safe Online Gaming — Playing Smart with Others ▶ video
  9. Reporting Inappropriate Content — Speaking Up the Right Way ▶ video

Unit 3: Digital Citizenship & Communication

Being a respectful, careful member of online communities: kindness, giving credit, messaging and webcam manners, privacy, scams and safe shopping.

  1. Being Kind Online (Digital Citizenship) — The Golden Rule Goes Digital ▶ video
  2. Understanding Copyright and Plagiarism — Giving Credit Where It's Due ▶ video
  3. Email and Messaging Etiquette — Writing Like a Pro ▶ video
  4. Video Chat and Webcam Safety — Mind What's in the Frame ▶ video
  5. Understanding Cookies and Trackers — The Websites That Remember You ▶ video
  6. Public vs. Private Information — Drawing the Line ▶ video
  7. Recognizing Scams and Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers — ▶ video
  8. Safe Online Shopping Basics — Buying Smart with a Trusted Adult ▶ video
  9. Digital Footprint Cleanup — Tidying Up Your Online Trail ▶ video

Unit 4: AI Security & AI Safety

What AI is and how chatbots work, spotting AI-generated content and misinformation, fairness, privacy with AI tools, and using AI honestly for schoolwork.

  1. What Is Artificial Intelligence? — Meeting Our New Digital Helper ▶ video
  2. How AI Chatbots Work — Talking to a Very Good Guesser ▶ video
  3. Recognizing AI-Generated Content — Is That Picture or Video Even Real? ▶ video
  4. AI Bias and Fairness — Why AI Isn't Always Neutral ▶ video
  5. Privacy with AI Tools and Voice Assistants — Who's Listening? ▶ video
  6. Safe and Responsible AI Use for Homework — A Helper, Not a Cheat Sheet ▶ video
  7. AI Misinformation and Fact-Checking — Don't Believe Everything You See ▶ video
  8. Protecting Personal Data from AI Systems — Guarding Your Information ▶ video
  9. Being a Responsible AI Citizen — Bringing It All Together ▶ video
Inside every lesson

What each lesson plan includes

  • Learning objectives
  • Warm-up / hook
  • Teacher talking points
  • Grade-level concepts
  • Guided skill activity
  • Worksheet (independent practice)
  • Closure
  • Quiz with answer key
  • Teacher reflection notes
FAQ

Common questions

What grades is the Cyber Elementary School curriculum for?

Grades 3 through 6. There is a lesson plan book for each grade, plus a complete edition that covers all four grades in one volume.

What topics does it cover?

36 lessons in four units of nine: Cyber Security Basics (passwords, updates, phishing, malware, Wi-Fi, personal data, two-factor authentication, backups, device security), Online Safety (sharing, digital footprints, cyberbullying, social media, online strangers, trustworthy websites, screen time, gaming, reporting), Digital Citizenship & Communication (kindness online, copyright, messaging etiquette, webcam safety, cookies and trackers, public vs. private information, scams, online shopping, footprint cleanup) and AI Security & AI Safety (what AI is, how chatbots work, AI-generated content, bias, privacy with voice assistants, AI and homework, misinformation, protecting data from AI, responsible AI use).

How long is each lesson?

Each lesson is designed for 30–40 minutes.

What does each lesson include?

Learning objectives, a warm-up hook, teacher talking points, a guided skill activity, an independent-practice worksheet, a closure, a quiz with answer key (question count by grade — grade 3: 4, grade 4: 5, grade 5: 5, grade 6: 6) and teacher reflection notes.

Is there a video for each lesson?

Yes. Every one of the 36 lessons has a free companion video on the Cyber Elementary YouTube channel, plus a compilation video for each unit.

Can homeschool families use it?

Yes. The grade-level books are written for classroom teachers and homeschool parents, and the complete edition is suited to homeschool co-ops teaching several grades at once.

Who wrote it?

Mark W. Mattei, a cybersecurity professional with 25+ years of experience. It is published by Baldwin Terney Press LLC.