Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8

*Click to open and customize your own copy of the Malware Lesson Plan.

This lesson accompanies the BrainPOP topic Malware, and supports the standard of explaining suspicious activity of applications and devices. Students demonstrate understanding through a variety of projects.

Step 1: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

Ask students: Why is it important to take safety measures online? 

Step 2: BUILD KNOWLEDGE

  • Read aloud the description on the Malware topic page.
  • Play the Movie, pausing to check for understanding. 
  • Assign Related Reading. Have students read one of the following articles: “Way Back When” or “Famous Faces” Partner them with someone who read a different article to share what they learned with each other.

Step 3: APPLY and ASSESS 

Assign the Malware Challenge and Quiz, prompting students to apply essential literacy skills while demonstrating what they learned about this topic.

Step 4: DEEPEN and EXTEND

Students express what they learned about malware while practicing essential literacy skills with one or more of the following activities. Differentiate by assigning ones that meet individual student needs.

  • Make-a-Movie: Create a PSA informing people about malware discussing strategies for keeping computers safe.
  • Make-a-Map: Make a concept map identifying different types of malware, and how to protect yourself from each.
  • Creative Coding: Code a sorting game where players determine what kind of malware different examples represent.
  • Primary Source Activity: Examine the court documents from a case involving malware, and cite details to answer the accompanying questions.

More to Explore

Newsfeed Defenders: Students manage a social media site in this interactive game.

Related BrainPOP Topics: Deepen understanding of cybersecurity with these topics: Information Privacy, Hackers, and Online Safety

Teacher Support Resources:

 

 

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments