Message Pipes: Sending a Safe “Hello!”

Materials Needed

• Two cups or small containers
• A piece of string, yarn, or a paper-towel tube
• Paper and crayons
• Small picture cards or toys
• Optional: a computer or tablet used only with an adult
• Optional: a timer

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:

• Explain that a “pipe” can help carry a message from one place to another.
• Send and receive a simple message using words, pictures, or objects.
• Take turns being the sender and receiver.
• Identify one safe computer rule: “Ask a grown-up before clicking or running something unfamiliar.”

Success Criteria

I can:

• Say, “The message goes from the sender to the receiver.”
• Send a message such as “Hello,” “red,” or “I see a cat.”
• Wait, listen, and repeat the message.
• Ask a trusted grown-up before using an unfamiliar computer command.

Introduction: Hook and Objectives

Hook: Hold up two cups and whisper into one. Ask, “How could my message travel to you?”

Tell the child: “Today we will learn about message pipes. A message pipe is like a little path that carries a message. We will send safe, silly messages to each other.”

Show the child the learning goals using simple language: “We will send a message, catch a message, take turns, and learn how to stay safe with computers.”

Body

I Do: Model a Message Pipe

1. Place one cup at each end of the string or paper-towel tube.
2. Say, “I am the sender. You are the receiver.”
3. Send a simple message: “Hello!”
4. Point to the path and explain: “The message starts here, travels through the pipe, and arrives there.”
5. Model waiting: “I send. You listen. Then you answer.”

Quick check: Ask, “Who sends the message? Who receives the message?” Let the child point or answer.

We Do: Send Picture Messages

1. Place several picture cards or toys between the two learners.
2. Choose one together, such as a ball, cat, or apple.
3. The sender says, “I send a picture of a ball.”
4. The receiver finds or points to the matching picture.
5. Switch roles after each turn.

Think-pair-share: Ask, “What message should we send next?” The child may choose a picture, toy, sound, or word.

We Do: Make the Message Silly

Take turns sending playful messages:

• “The purple dinosaur is dancing.”
• “A tiny mouse says hello.”
• “I want a pretend ice-cream cone.”

After each message, the receiver repeats what was heard. If the message changes, say, “Let’s try again. Good listeners check the message.”

Formative check: Pause and ask:

• “Did the message arrive?”
• “What did you hear?”
• “What can we do if we are not sure?”

Expected answer: “Ask again,” “listen again,” or “ask a grown-up.”

You Do: Create Your Own Message Pipe

Let the child choose one activity:

• Talking Pipe: Send three spoken messages to a grown-up.
• Picture Pipe: Draw a picture and send it across the room for the receiver to identify.
• Toy Pipe: Move a toy from one place to another while explaining that it is carrying a message.
• Digital Pretend Pipe: Use paper buttons labeled “Send” and “Receive” rather than using real computer commands.

Give the child this simple challenge:

1. Choose a message.
2. Choose who will receive it.
3. Send it clearly.
4. Ask the receiver to repeat it.
5. Switch roles.

Real-World Connection: Computer Safety

Explain:

“Computers can send messages through special paths, too. Some computer messages are safe, and some may not be safe. We never type, click, or run something unfamiliar without asking a trusted grown-up first.”

Practice the safety sentence together:

“Stop, ask, and check with a grown-up.”

Differentiation

Support

• Use one-word messages and clear picture cards.
• Let the child point instead of speaking.
• Repeat directions one step at a time.
• Use gestures for “send,” “receive,” and “wait.”

Extension

• Have the child send a three-part message, such as “The red car is fast.”
• Ask the child to draw the sender, pipe, message, and receiver.
• Introduce the words sender, receiver, and message.
• Invite the child to invent a new kind of message pipe using blocks or recycled materials.

Assessment

Formative Assessment

• Observe whether the child can identify the sender and receiver.
• Ask the child to repeat a short message.
• Watch whether the child takes turns and waits to listen.
• Ask, “What do we do before using something unfamiliar on a computer?”

Summative Demonstration

Ask the child to complete this mini-demonstration:

1. Choose a picture or toy.
2. Send a message about it.
3. Let the grown-up repeat the message.
4. Explain or show how the message traveled.
5. Say the computer safety rule: “Stop, ask, and check with a grown-up.”

Conclusion: Closure and Recap

Ask the child to finish these sentences:

• “A message pipe carries a ______.”
• “The person who sends is the ______.”
• “The person who gets the message is the ______.”
• “Before using an unfamiliar computer command, I ______.”

Recap together: “Today we learned that a message can travel from a sender to a receiver. We practiced sending, listening, and taking turns. We also learned to ask a grown-up before using something unfamiliar on a computer.”

Optional Follow-Up

Invite the child to draw a “message journey” with four parts: sender → pipe → message → receiver. Let the child tell the story aloud.