Grade 5 Learns about High-Character Online Decision-Making

The online world has grown rapidly in scale and complexity before our eyes, developing most significantly in the realm of social media. Students and parents need tools to navigate this complex space in a way that reflects their values, enabling them to make confident, thoughtful, and informed decisions.

For several years, St. Patrick’s has partnered with The Social Institute, a leader in empowering students via #WinAtSocial, a gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform in Grades 5-8. By participating in this program, students, educators, and families are equipped with the skills necessary to navigate their social world–in the classroom and beyond, both online and offline–in healthy, high-character ways.

Each month in HoundsTruth, we detail that month’s theme by grade level and include suggestions for “Family Huddles,” or conversation topics for the dinner table or family meetings. For example, in September and October, Grade 5 students explored balancing time on tech and strategies for diffusing gossip and rumors. November and December’s lessons were about stress management and reflecting our values in the content we share and consume. Each of the weekly lessons in Grade 5 prompts rich discussion and deep engagement in these topics in a way that is developmentally appropriate and applicable to students’ lives.

As an adult community, St. Patrick’s faculty and staff are deeply engaged in this work as well. We read Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation last summer to learn more about the impact of the online world on children’s mental health. A small group of faculty and staff participating in a book club focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion topics also read Dashka Slater’s book Accountable: The True Story of A Racist Social Media Account and The Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed. Discussions about both of these texts have been rich and meaningful.

These initiatives underscore St. Patrick’s commitment to preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. By fostering critical thinking, empathy, and responsible online behavior, the school empowers students to be thoughtful digital citizens who can navigate the complexities of the online world with confidence and integrity. Through partnerships, innovative programs, and community engagement, St. Patrick’s continues to create a culture that prioritizes high-character decision-making, both online and offline.