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Jud Hartman

Building AI Literacy for All Grade Levels


One Sentence Summary: Teaching students about artificial intelligence (AI) across grade levels promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and responsible use, preparing them for an AI-driven world.



Kids on an ipad.


Imagine a kindergartener asking their smart speaker to tell them a joke, or a high schooler using ChatGPT to help with a research project. AI has already woven itself into students' lives, whether they realize it or not. As educators, we have the critical responsibility to guide students on how to engage with AI thoughtfully and ethically, while promoting digital literacy. But how do we introduce these complex tools in a way that’s developmentally appropriate? With AI technology rapidly advancing, now is the time to introduce students to AI—helping them navigate this ever-evolving landscape with both curiosity and caution.


If you're looking for a more in-depth look into ChatGPT specifically, check out my article ChatGPT for Teachers: The Ultimate Guide! for practical tips on how teachers can use AI effectively in the classroom.



Early Elementary (Grades K-2)

  • Young children often attribute human-like qualities to AI, such as thinking AI devices have emotions or memories.

  • Teaching them to differentiate between real people and AI is crucial, helping them understand that AI is not a person.

    Practical Application 1: Use tools like Quick, Draw! to show how AI works behind the scenes, allowing students to see how AI "learns" from user inputs. This playful interaction provides a foundation for understanding that AI mimics learning but does not think like humans.

    The Why: Introducing AI in early grades helps demystify technology, allowing students to engage with it thoughtfully without falling into misconceptions about its capabilities.


    Practical Application 2: Introduce students to AI through voice assistants like Alexa or Siri by asking simple, curiosity-driven questions such as "Why do leaves change color?" Guide students in understanding that the AI provides answers based on the information it has been programmed to retrieve, but it doesn’t think or feel like a human.

    The Why: Engaging with AI assistants in a supervised manner allows young learners to explore technology, laying the foundation for digital literacy. They begin to grasp that AI is a tool, not a thinking entity, which helps dispel misconceptions.


    Practical Application 3: Use a simple drawing AI tool like Google's AutoDraw. Have students draw something, and the AI will suggest what they might be trying to draw. This shows students how AI can make predictions based on input, offering them early insight into how AI "learns" from patterns.

    The Why: Activities like AutoDraw help children understand the concept of machine learning in an accessible way. They realize AI isn't magic; it's programmed to recognize patterns, which teaches them that AI relies on data, not independent thinking.



Upper Elementary (Grades 3-5)

  • At this stage, students develop problem-solving skills and learn through trial and error. Over-reliance on AI tools can short-circuit this development.

  • AI can be useful in creating customized learning materials, such as short plays for students to practice reading, but direct use of AI by students should be limited and guided.

    Practical Application 1: Encourage students to engage with smart speakers for simple tasks, like looking up word definitions, while teachers can use ChatGPT to model more complex tasks, such as creating personalized learning content. Use AI tools in a way that reinforces problem-solving by first asking students to solve on their own.

    The Why: AI, when used responsibly, can enhance student learning, but careful oversight ensures that students develop critical problem-solving skills rather than becoming reliant on AI answers.


    Practical Application 2: Allow students to use AI-based educational platforms like Snorkl for subjects such as math, reading, and science, where AI adjusts the difficulty level based on the student's performance. Explain how the system uses their previous answers to personalize future questions and activities, adapting to their learning pace and understanding.

    The Why: AI-powered tools can provide personalized learning experiences, helping students grasp how AI can tailor content to fit their individual needs. This enhances digital literacy, illustrating AI’s role in creating unique learning paths, leading to greater student engagement and mastery of skills.


    Practical Application 3: Introduce AI-driven reading platforms like Epic or Raz-Kids, where AI tracks progress and suggests books tailored to students' reading levels. Let students reflect on how the suggestions match their interests or challenge their reading ability.

    The Why: By allowing students to engage with AI-based reading programs, they see AI as a tool for growth, learning how it tailors content to their needs. This empowers them to make better choices about their reading habits and helps them understand the adaptive nature of AI.



Teacher and student around computers.


Middle School (Grades 6-8)

  • As students enter adolescence, they begin exploring more mature topics and require guidance on responsible use. Critical thinking skills are emerging, and AI can support this through activities where students critique AI-generated outputs.

    Practical Application 1: Use AI tools, such as ChatGPT, to generate responses for students to fact-check and critique. Have students identify inaccuracies or biases in AI-generated content, fostering an understanding of AI’s limitations and encouraging skepticism.

    The Why: By middle school, students are ready to engage critically with AI tools, learning that while AI can be a useful resource, it requires thoughtful evaluation and critical analysis.


    Practical Application 2: Have students explore ethical issues in AI by analyzing biases in AI-generated responses. For example, ask ChatGPT to write a short story about a hero and villain and then critique whether the AI’s output includes biases (e.g., stereotypes about gender or race). This will spark discussions on how biases can be embedded in AI.

    The Why: Engaging students in identifying AI biases builds critical thinking skills. They learn that AI is not neutral and requires human oversight to ensure fairness and accuracy, deepening their understanding of ethical technology use.


    Practical Application 3: Engage students in using AI platforms to solve math problems, like Photomath, and have them compare AI’s steps with their own work. Discuss where their problem-solving approaches align and differ.

    The Why: This comparison encourages students to reflect on their problem-solving methods, recognize multiple approaches, and critically analyze AI’s role in offering solutions, helping them refine their math skills.



High School (Grades 9-12)

  • High school students are sophisticated users of technology, but they often lack the skepticism needed when engaging with AI.

  • AI-generated content, like essays or deepfakes, can seem credible, making it vital for students to understand the ethical implications of AI and its limitations.

    Practical Application 1: Engage students in activities where they use AI to complete tasks, but also critique the accuracy and ethics of AI-generated outputs. Encourage them to compare AI responses with reliable sources, helping them develop digital literacy and critical thinking skills.

    The Why: High school students need to understand the ethical complexities of AI and be equipped with the skills to use AI responsibly, preparing them for an increasingly AI-integrated future.


    Practical Application 2: Have students use AI to simulate conversations with historical figures using platforms like Hello History or ChatGPT, and then fact-check the AI’s responses. This allows students to engage with AI but also strengthens their historical knowledge and fact-checking skills.

    The Why: By interacting with AI and then evaluating its output, students learn to question and verify information, honing their research and critical thinking skills while exploring AI’s applications in history and literature.


    Practical Application 3: Ask students to brainstorm, draft, and write essays with AI tools like ChatGPT, then critique the AI’s writing, identifying weaknesses like lack of originality or poor structure. This helps students understand that AI-generated work lacks the depth of human thought.

    The Why: Encouraging students to analyze AI-generated writing develops their writing and editing skills. It also reinforces the understanding that while AI can assist in generating content, it lacks the nuance and creativity of human-generated work.



Students looking at a laptop.


As AI becomes more prevalent in everyday life, guiding students through its benefits and pitfalls is an essential part of their education. From understanding that AI isn't human in early elementary to critiquing AI-generated content in high school, each developmental stage requires thoughtful and tailored approaches to teaching AI literacy. By equipping students with critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and ethical considerations, we prepare them to navigate a world where AI is an integral part of learning, work, and society. How will you begin integrating AI into your teaching to support your students' journey into the future of technology?


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