Digital Communication Skills

Overview

This is Lesson 4 of 4 in the unit "Mastering Google Tools" designed for Year 6 students in New Zealand.
Students will develop practical digital navigation skills by learning to use Google Classroom effectively for accessing assignments and class resources. They will also practice composing, sending, and organising emails to communicate in a respectful and efficient manner in a digital environment.

The lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum’s Technology learning area, specifically focusing on Computational Thinking for Digital Technologies and Designing and Developing Digital Outcomes, with a strong integration of key competencies and literacy support for diverse learners.

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Learning Objectives (WALT - We Are Learning To):

• WALT: Navigate Google Classroom to access and submit assignments and find relevant learning resources.
• WALT: Create, send, and organise emails using appropriate digital communication conventions.
• WALT: Demonstrate responsible and respectful communication online.

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Curriculum Links

Technology Learning Area (New Zealand Curriculum)

• Strands:

  • Technological practice — developing skills to use digital tools and systems safely and effectively.
  • Technological knowledge — understanding how digital systems work and support learning.
  • Nature of technology — understanding technological outcomes and their impact.

• Progress Outcomes:

  • Students use digital tools appropriately and efficiently to enhance meaning making and communication.
  • Understand the role of digital communication tools in learning and everyday contexts.
  • Recognise the importance of respectful and ethical online behaviour.

Key Competencies

• Using language, symbols, and texts — navigating and interpreting digital texts and communications including Google Classroom and email.
• Managing self — taking responsibility for digital learning tasks and communication.
• Relating to others — using digital communication tools respectfully and collaboratively.

Literacy Integration (Te Mātaiaho English Framework)

• Scaffold students using digital tools to produce clear and coherent written communication.
• Support critical evaluation of digital content and appropriateness of tone in emails.

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Success Criteria

Students will be able to:

• Log into and navigate Google Classroom to locate and open assignments and resources.
• Compose and send an email with correct formatting and polite language.
• Organise their email inbox by using labels or folders.
• Respond appropriately to emails following digital etiquette rules.
• Work independently or collaboratively to solve simple navigation or email-related challenges.

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Time Allocation: 45 minutes

Class Size: 20 students

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Lesson Plan Details

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Recap (briefly) what Google Classroom is and why it is useful.
• Explain today's lesson focus on Google Classroom and email — emphasise why these skills matter for school and future learning.
• State the WALT and success criteria visually on the board.

2. Guided Exploration: Navigating Google Classroom (10 minutes)

• Teacher demonstrates logging into Google Classroom on the projector/smartboard.
• Show how to find the current class, locate the assignment folder, open a file or resource.
• Students follow along on their own devices.
• Quick Q&A to clarify any confusion.

3. Email Basics and Practice (15 minutes)

• Teacher explains the parts of an email: recipient, subject line, body, greeting, closing.
• Model composing a simple email to the teacher (e.g., requesting help or submitting a question).
• Highlight respectful language and digital etiquette.
• Students compose and send a practice email to a peer or teacher - supervised support for English language learners and students requiring reading assistance.

4. Organising and Managing Emails (5 minutes)

• Teacher demonstrates organising emails (e.g., creating labels/folders, archiving).
• Discuss why organisation helps avoid “lost” information.
• Students organise their practice emails or classroom-related emails.

5. Collaborative Task (7 minutes)

• Students work in pairs or small groups to troubleshoot a Google Classroom or email task.
• Example task: Find and download an assignment, then send an email confirming submission.
• Opportunities for peer teaching and reinforcing learning.

6. Recap and Reflection (3 minutes)

• Class discussion: What did we learn? Why is this important?
• Students share one tip they learned.
• Teacher reminds students of acceptable use and respectful communication online.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For diverse English abilities:

  • Provide dyslexia-friendly reading materials (clear fonts, high contrast, simpler vocabulary for instructions).
  • Use visual aids and step-by-step screenshots for Google Classroom and email tasks.
  • Offer sentence starters or templates for composing emails.

• For students working at Level 2:

  • Scaffold login and navigation with more guided, one-on-one support.
  • Use simplified instructions and provide verbal assistance as needed.

• For students working at Level 3 and above:

  • Encourage exploration of advanced Google Classroom features (e.g., class comments, private messaging).
  • Challenge to organise folders or labels creatively to suit their workflow.
  • Assign composing professional or persuasive emails (e.g., requesting feedback).

• For students with dyslexia:

  • Use dyslexia-friendly fonts and layouts in teaching materials.
  • Provide oral instructions and allow verbal responses or audio email drafts if needed.
  • Include extra time and assistive technologies.

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Extension Activities

• Create a digital poster or infographic about tips for navigating Google Classroom and writing effective emails that can be shared with younger students. Incorporate Te Reo Māori greetings and closing phrases to honour cultural components.
• Introduce arts integration: students design digital email signatures or classroom avatars using basic graphic tools that personalise their online presence.
• Introduce a role-play scenario for handling different types of email communications in school life.

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Resources Needed

• Student access to devices with internet (laptops/tablets).
• Projector or smartboard for demonstrations.
• Teacher-prepared email templates and dyslexic-friendly instruction sheets.
• A shared Google Classroom with age-appropriate resources and assignments.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through observation during activities and group discussions.
• Use a simple checklist for success criteria (navigation, email composition, organisation).
• Review sent emails for appropriate content and tone.

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This plan incorporates hands-on digital literacy skill building with collaborative and individual learning modes, clear cross-curricular links (technology, English, and arts), and supports diverse learners in a New Zealand context following the updated New Zealand Curriculum framework .