Chromebook Safety Start

Overview

Today students will explore Chromebook parts, learn basic operations (turning on/off and opening apps), and practise key digital safety rules in a guided, hands-on way. The lesson builds confidence for safely using digital technologies in everyday learning.

Learning intentions

• Students will identify basic Chromebook parts (screen, keyboard/keys, touchpad, power button).
• Students will demonstrate safe, careful Chromebook handling and movement in class.
• Students will turn a Chromebook on and off and open one simple app using guided steps.
• Students will follow classroom digital safety rules (including respectful behaviour and keeping information private).

Success criteria

• I can point to and name the main Chromebook parts we use today.
• I can use safe hands and sit correctly when using a Chromebook.
• I can turn the Chromebook on, open an app, and close it (with support).
• I can explain at least two digital safety rules we follow at school.

Curriculum links

• TELS-DIG-01 — Students use digital technologies responsibly and safely in a range of environments.
• TE4-DIG-01 — Students demonstrate technological literacy to safely interact in digital environments.
• Digital and communication technologies focus: interacting safely with digital tools and practising responsible use.

Lesson structure (45 minutes)

1. 0–5 min · Welcome and set-up. Teacher shows the Chromebook as a whole device and models “walk to your device” and “hands to yourself” behaviour; students sit ready with hands off the keyboard.

2. 5–12 min · Chromebook parts mini-lesson. Teacher holds up or points to: power button, screen, keyboard/keys, touchpad, and charging cable (where relevant), then models one safe action for each part; students repeat and point to the matching part on their own Chromebook when they hear the name.

3. 12–18 min · Safety rules quick talk. Teacher introduces a short safety routine using clear, kid-friendly rules: keep food/drinks away, use gentle touches, do not share personal information, be kind online, and ask a teacher if something is wrong; students practise “safety signals” (thumbs up for rule, thumbs sideways when teacher describes a wrong action).

4. 18–27 min · Guided operation practice (turn on). Teacher demonstrates the step order: sit properly, find the power button, press once, wait; students follow step-by-step with teacher monitoring until their screen shows the start/login screen (or teacher’s teacher-led view).

5. 27–35 min · Guided operation practice (open an app). Teacher models opening one simple, teacher-selected app icon and using a basic input action (click/tap on the touchpad) while reminding students to keep their eyes on their own screen; students open the app and show the teacher a “ready” hand signal when it appears.

6. 35–40 min · Close the app and turn off (routine). Teacher demonstrates how to finish: close the app/return to the start view, then power off using the correct method, and handle the Chromebook carefully; students practise turning off when instructed (or follow teacher prompts for supervised shut-down).

7. 40–45 min · Exit ticket (quick check). Teacher hands out a 3-part exit ticket (one draw-and-label prompt and two short scenarios); students complete independently or with a brief sentence starter to show which safety rule is correct.

Resources

• 27 Chromebooks, charged and ready
• Teacher laptop/monitor with the same screen views
• Printed or laminated Chromebook parts picture cards (screen, keyboard, touchpad, power)
• Safety rule cards (classroom display or handouts)
• Exit tickets (3 questions, age-appropriate visuals)
• Quiet timer or visual schedule
• Optional: non-digital “practice button” cards for turn-on simulation
• Student pencil and coloured pencil/crayon

Assessment

• Teacher observation checklist during parts naming and safe handling (hands-on/appropriate behaviour).
• Formative checks during guided steps: students can press the power button correctly and open the selected app.
• Exit ticket review: identify safety rule understanding and basic knowledge of parts/operations.

Differentiation

• Provide sentence starters for the exit ticket (e.g., “A safe rule is…”, “I will…”) and allow drawing instead of writing where needed.
• Offer small-group support: seat a teacher-led group near the front for extra modelling of turn on/off and touchpad clicks.
• Use visual step cards at each Chromebook to support students who need reminders.
• Extension (for confident students): invite them to show a correct “touchpad click” technique to a partner using the teacher’s nominated hand signal (no independent extra searching).

Exit ticket (for 40–45 min)

• Part A (draw/label): Draw the Chromebook and label one part you used today (choose screen, keyboard, touchpad, or power button).
• Part B (scenario): “A friend asks you for your password.” Circle the safe choice and tell why (teacher-ready choices: “Yes, share it” vs “No, tell the teacher”).
• Part C (operation): Circle the correct order: 1) Turn on 2) Open an app 3) Turn off (students choose the correct sequence picture cards).