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How people communicate

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can recognise different ways people communicate and choose a suitable way to share a message.

Key learning points

  1. People communicate in different ways to exchange messages.
  2. Messages are most commonly spoken, drawn, written or digital.
  3. Digital messages are sent using devices.

Keywords

  • Message - something we tell or show someone

  • Communicate - to share a message with others

  • Digital device - an object that uses computer technology to work; it stores and processes information

Common misconception

A message is something that is sent using a digital device and is read on a screen.

Messages can be sent in many ways that aren't always text and read on a digital device. Others examples include talking face to face, hand-writing a note, using sound signals, etc.

Teacher tip

Use familiar, everyday situations to help pupils think about different ways people share information and which might be suitable. It is important that pupils can recognise where this could be applied in their own lives.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

5 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is a way to share a message?

sitting quietly
Correct answer: drawing a picture
sleeping
standing still

Q2.
Which of these uses pictures to share a message?

Correct answer: drawing
running
jumping
sitting

Q3.
Which of these uses writing to share a message?

eating lunch
playing a game
Correct answer: writing a note
tidying up

Q4.
Which of these uses a digital device?

Correct answer: sending a message on a tablet
talking to a friend
drawing on paper
writing with a pencil

Q5.
Which of these shows someone communicating?

Correct answer: a child drawing for a friend
a bag on the floor
a closed door
an empty chair

5 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is NOT a way to send a message?

talking
writing
Correct answer: sitting still
drawing

Q2.
You and your teacher are both in the same classroom and you want to ask your teacher a question. Which way is most suitable?

drawing a picture
Correct answer: talking
writing a note
eating an apple

Q3.
You want someone to read a message later when you are not there. Which way of communicating is most suitable?

talking
Correct answer: writing a note
waving
drawing in the air

Q4.
Which sentence is correct?

Talking is the best way to communicate every time.
Writing is always better than talking.
Correct answer: Different situations need different ways of communicating.
Drawing is only for art lessons.

Q5.
Match the way of communicating to what it involves.

Correct Answer:talking,using your voice to share a message

using your voice to share a message

Correct Answer:drawing,using pictures to share a message

using pictures to share a message

Correct Answer:writing,using letters or words to share a message

using letters or words to share a message


To help you plan your 1 digital literacy lesson on: How people communicate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...