Describing the Internet to
Elementary Students:
If you're explaining the Internet to your students, try this exercise
that graphically illustrates how information is sent. Have some of your
students stand in a circle with the rest in the middle, everyone about
an arm's length from each other. Write a sentence on a long piece of paper
like adding machine paper, and cut the paper into three or four segments.
Designate two people as the starting and end points, and have your class
pass the pieces of paper from point A to point B, using different routes
for each piece. When the pieces have all arrived at point B, have that
person arrange the pieces in the proper order. There! You've just illustrated
how packets of information are sent over networks and compiled at the
other end.
