Develop upper elementary students' understanding of artificial intelligence with this engaging, age-appropriate unit that builds curiosity, critical thinking, and responsible use! Complete unit plan! Hands-on activities, scaffolded lessons, anchor charts, student-friendly information pages, discussion prompts, comprehensive teacher notes, culminating task and more!

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve and shape the world around us, it’s more important than ever that students develop a clear, accurate and age-appropriate understanding of what AI is and what it is not. I designed this resource to support elementary teachers in introducing artificial intelligence through engaging, hands-on, visual, and memorable learning experiences.

Throughout this unit, students will explore the fundamentals of how AI works, how it compares to human thinking and learning, and how it’s being used in everyday life. Through carefully structured learning engagements, students will begin to recognize the benefits and limitations of AI, reflect on its ethical implications, and consider how humans can work alongside AI in responsible and meaningful ways. The activities are intentionally interactive and student-friendly, using visual tools, rich discussions, and collaborative problem-solving to bring complex concepts to life within the classroom.

A key goal of this resource is to address and prevent common misconceptions about AI. For example, students may believe that AI is a real person, that it ‘thinks’ like a human, that it’s always right, or that it has feelings or consciousness. When students understand how AI truly functions, they are better equipped to use it thoughtfully and with discretion. They will be empowered to recognize AI’s strengths, identify its limitations, and make informed decisions about when and how they rely on it.

This resource is divided into seven sections. Each section includes comprehensive teacher notes, hands-on activities, anchor charts, reflective templates, discussion prompts and more!

• Part 1: What is Artificial Intelligence
• Part 2: How AI Learns: Patterns & Data
• Part 3: AI vs. The Human Brain: What's the Difference?
• Part 4: When AI & Humans Work Together
• Part 5: The Pros & Cons of AI
• Part 6: Ethics & AI
• Part 7: Culminating Task

Please click on the 'Preview' button to see ALL the pages you will receive in this resource!

♦ ♦ Please note that the purpose of this resource is NOT to have students learning how to use different AI platforms. The fundamental goal of this resource is to develop students' understanding of what AI is, how it works, how AI is different to the human experience, and what it means to use AI ethically and responsibly. Furthermore, the learning engagements in this resource aim to break down common misconceptions students may hold about AI. ♦ ♦

I strongly believe that foundational knowledge about AI should begin in the elementary years. By developing awareness, critical thinking skills, and ethical understanding early on, students will be better prepared to navigate a world increasingly influenced by new technologies. I sincerely hope this resource helps you spark meaningful conversations, deepen student understanding, and empower your learners to become responsible, informed and critically aware users of artificial intelligence!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via the Q&A Tab or email me at katiewalkerresources@gmail.com.

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