All Caps: Texting, Messaging, and Phone Etiquette

Completed by 15 learners

Ages 7-11

Live One-Time Class

Learn appropriate and effective ways to communicate in the digital age.

Madeleine Lifsey, M.A.T. (she/her)

Average rating:

4.8

Number of reviews:

(109 reviews)

Live video meetings

Meets once

2-8 learners per class

35 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

1 live meeting

35 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

US Grade 2 - 5

have u seen wRiTiNg like THIS in yr kidz MESSAGES?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Especially with social distancing, children are communicating by text and online today more than ever before. In this engaging class by a registered and practising primary school teacher, children will learn how to communicate effectively and kindly with peers, teachers, and relatives. We will discuss and practice when (and when *not*) to use capital letters, why spelling and appropriate punctuation matters, when are good times to text, and how to avoid embarrassing miscommunications. Kids will get to see an example of a written communication gone wrong and get to fix up the teacher's mistakes. Great fun! If there is time at the end, we will also discuss and practice appropriate phone call etiquette. Each class will be customised to the children's and families' needs, so please respond to the intro questions when you sign up. 

My teaching style is fun and firm. I make sure every student gets the chance to participate without being put on the spot. Learners will interact with me and with each other. 

This class will use Nearpod. Learners can join on a second device such as a tablet or phone or directly on the same screen they are using to join the lesson. Note that if they have only one device, they will not be able to see my face while we are in the Nearpod activities. Learners do not need to have a Nearpod account or app, and no personal information will be shared among learners. 

Course Cover Image is by Anviere on Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/service/terms/#license

Learning Goals

Students will learn: 

-the purposes of texting. 
-who we text (not strangers). 
-some benefits and hazards of acronyms and emojis. 
-the difference between formal and informal communication. 
-why punctuation and spelling matters. 
-when to text and call (generally between 9am and 9pm). 
-that ALL CAPS sounds like shouting in the reader's head - yuck.
-to text or phone just once and wait for a reply. 
-appropriate ways to answer the phone.

Other Details

Supply List

One device on which to join the Zoom and a second device to join the game. The second device can be a computer, tablet, or phone.

External Resources

In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:

Kahoot

Meet the teacher

Madeleine Lifsey, M.A.T. (she/her)

Joined November, 2020

4.8

109reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Massachusetts Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education

Hello, my name is Madeleine (pronouns she/her), and I'm so excited to get to know you and learn with you! I am passionate about education as a means to empower children to change the world. My students and I learn through engaging small group discussions and hands-on activities. My teaching style is inquiry-based and learner-centred. I am dedicated to accessibility and inclusivity. 

As a child, I was unschooled and went to an alternative high school, so I am familiar with student-directed learning pathways and all the creativity it can spark. I love writing and doing yoga with children to express ourselves and calm our bodies and minds. As a mental health education lead teacher and peer support counselor, social-emotional learning is a crucial part of everything I do. 

Some fun facts about me: A perk of coming to class with me is that you'll probably get to meet my sweet dogs! They are my best friends and love to be involved in everything I'm doing. I've been vegan for animal rights since my early teens and started a chapter of Food Not Bombs If I'm not in my classroom or working on a project, I'm probably on a mountain or my bicycle! 

I hold a Master of Arts in Teaching (Elementary Education), Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy, and Poetry Concentration from Smith College (Massachusetts, USA). I have taught Philosophy for Children and literacy skills to learners four years old and up, both in person and online. I also have certificates in yoga teaching through Contemporary Yoga (Auckland, New Zealand and Yoga Alliance Accredited) and Kids Yoga Teaching through Yoga Foster (New York, USA) and Yogawood (New Jersey, USA). I am currently registered to teach in Massachusetts, USA and across the country in New Zealand. Documentation available upon request.