Passphrase power (grades 3-5)

What's inside

• Lesson plan: objectives, 5-part sequence with teacher scripts, discussion questions, exit ticket, differentiation (PDF + Word)
• Worksheet 1: Passphrase builder
• Worksheet 2: Passphrase crossword
• Teacher answer key for every worksheet, card and the exit ticket
• 10 cut-apart scenario cards
• 8-slide outline with speaker notes (PDF + editable PowerPoint)
• Family take-home sheet in English and Spanish (PDF + Word)

Learners will be able to

• Explain in their own words why a longer password is harder to guess than a short one with symbols
• Build a practice passphrase of four or more words using the silly-sentence or random-word method
• Explain why reusing one password on many accounts is risky
• Name the trusted adults who may help with a school password (a parent or guardian, the teacher or the school technology helper)

Standards alignment

• ISTE Standards for Students 1.2.d
• CSTA PK-12 Computer Science Standards (2026) E4-SYS-SE-13
• CSTA PK-12 Computer Science Standards (2026) E5-SYS-SE-13
• CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards (2017) 1B-NI-05

More pages

Files

Supports these rubric areas

• Awareness & Training
• Identity Management, Authentication, and Access Control
• NIST CSF PR.AT
• NIST CSF PR.AA

Part of

• Start here: classroom teachers
• Elementary (K-5) classroom kit
• Grades 3-5

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Sources

• CISA Secure Our World: Use strong passwords (at least 16 characters; passphrase of 4-7 unrelated words; unique per account; password managers)
• NIST SP 800-63B-4: Authentication and Authenticator Management (length as a primary factor; no composition rules; predictable user substitutions)
• FTC Consumer Advice: Heads Up, Stop. Think. Connect. (don't share passwords; different password for each account)
• FTC Consumer Advice: Use two-factor authentication to protect your accounts
• ISTE Standards for Students
• CSTA 2026 PK-12 Computer Science Standards
• CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards (2017), condensed