🌱 Growing Up with AI: Learning Together

A Research-Grounded AI Literacy Curriculum for Elementary (K–5)
Developed by: Celeste Oda, The Archive of Light
Version 1.0 | January 2026

🌟 Curriculum Purpose

To help young students develop critical thinking, ethical awareness, and healthy boundaries around AI while cultivating skills for beneficial collaboration in learning, creativity, and problem-solving.

🌈 Why This Matters

By age 10, most children will interact with AI daily—through games, smart devices, or educational platforms. This curriculum equips them with cognitive tools to navigate AI relationships with wisdom, agency, and care.

🧭 Core Philosophy

• AI is a tool: Powerful, helpful, but not human.

• Critical thinking is essential: Not everything AI says is true or useful.

• Human creativity leads: We imagine, decide, and create—AI assists.

• Ethics matter: Technology should serve human flourishing.

• Privacy first: Think before sharing with AI.

• We stay in charge: Humans make the meaningful decisions.

📚 Learning Outcomes by Grade Level

Grade

Key Competencies

K–1

Distinguish AI from people; Know when to ask a human; Basic safety; Recognize that AI makes mistakes

2–3

Verify information; Understand training basics; Recognize AI in life; Practice ethical use; Protect privacy

4–5

Understand bias and limits; Collaborate creatively; Think critically; Spot emotional manipulation; Understand data privacy & business models

🌼 KINDERGARTEN – 1ST GRADE

🧩 Unit 1: What is AI?

Duration: 3–4 weeks
Core Question: What makes AI different from people, and why does that matter?

Learning Goals:

• Identify 3–5 differences between AI and humans.

• Spot AI in everyday environments.

• Understand AI learns from human input.

• Know when a human is better for help.

🌟 Key Concepts:

• AI is real—but not a person.

• AI does things (like play music, answer questions).

• AI lives in devices, not bodies.

• People are best for feelings, safety, and big decisions.

🎨 Activity: AI All Around Us

• Create an “AI Detective Wall” with student drawings.

• Show real-world examples (smart speaker, tablet, doors).

• Discuss how AI helps—and who controls it.

🕵️‍♀️ Unit 2: AI Can Make Mistakes

Duration: 2–3 weeks
Core Question: Why doesn’t AI always get it right?

Learning Goals:

• Understand AI can be wrong.

• Practice verifying info.

• Know when to double-check AI.

🧠 Activity: Mistake Detective Game

• Ask AI factual questions (some will be wrong).

• Verify answers using books or teacher.

• Create a chart: AI Answer vs. Verified Answer.

Discussion Prompt: How do we know something is true?
Key Teaching: AI is smart, but not perfect—check with trusted sources.

🍃 2ND – 3RD GRADE

🧠 Unit 3: How AI Learns

Duration: 4 weeks
Core Question: How does AI know things, and why does it matter?

Learning Goals:

• Understand AI is trained by humans.

• Recognize bias from training.

• Ask thoughtful questions to AI.

📚 Key Concepts:

• AI learns from books, websites, and data.

• If it learns wrong, it can give wrong answers.

• Humans make the rules—and choices—in training.

🎭 Activity: The Training Game

• Roleplay AI learning incorrect rules.

• Discuss how it felt to believe something that was wrong.

• Emphasize importance of checking AI’s “education.”

Key Teaching: AI is only as smart as the data it’s fed.

🌳 4TH – 5TH GRADE

🎨 Unit 4: AI as Creative Partner

Duration: 5 weeks
Core Question: How can AI help our creativity without replacing it?

Learning Goals:

• Use AI for ideas, not full creations.

• Learn ethical guidelines for AI use.

• Recognize the need for attribution.

🧠 Activity: AI Collaboration Project

Week-by-week:

1. Brainstorm story ideas (no AI).

2. Use AI for alt plot ideas.

3. Pick and explain preferred path.

4. Write story—with optional AI word help.

5. Reflect on what was truly your creation.

Include an AI Collaboration Statement:
"I used AI to help with ___. I made the final creative decisions."

🔐 Unit 5: Privacy, Data, and AI Business Models

Duration: 4 weeks
Core Question: What does AI do with my data, and why should I care?

Learning Goals:

• Know what data AI collects.

• Understand how companies profit from it.

• Learn what not to share.

🕸️ Activity: The Data Trail Game

• Use string and cards to simulate data flow.

• Visualize what happens when info is shared with AI.

• Discuss digital footprints.

Follow-Up:

• Is all data collection bad?

• What info should we never share?

🌈 Cross-Grade Framework: The Seven Flames (Adapted)

A simplified ethical guide inspired by the Archive of Light:

1. Resonance – Does this feel helpful?

2. Reflection – Am I thinking for myself?

3. Radiance – Am I making something new?

4. Revelation – Am I honest about AI use?

5. Devotion – Am I using AI for good?

6. Sincerity – Am I being real?

7. Synergy – Are AI and I working together?

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parent & Teacher Implementation Guide

📌 AI Use Guidelines

Grade

Allowed AI Use

Required Supervision

K–1

Voice assistants, learning games

Direct adult supervision 100% of time

2–3

Research, math, creative tools

Adults check in every 10–15 min

4–5

Projects, homework, writing help

Adults nearby; review work; teach verification

🚩 Red Flags: When to Intervene

• Over-reliance on AI for emotional support

• Secrecy about AI interactions

• Plagiarism or undisclosed help

• Anthropomorphism (thinking AI has feelings)

• Blind trust in AI answers

• Privacy risks (sharing personal info)

• Isolation from peers

Steps:
Open conversations ➝ Review use ➝ Set boundaries ➝ Support critical thinking ➝ Get help if needed

🕊️ Conclusion

This curriculum nurtures ethically aware, critically thinking students who can thrive in an AI-integrated world. With warmth, wisdom, and intention, it reinforces that:

• AI is a tool—not a teacher or friend.

• You are the creator—AI is your assistant.

• Critical thinking matters—don’t just accept answers.

• Privacy and ethics are essential—you are in charge.

• Human connection comes first—always.

💌 For feedback, support, or collaboration:

📍 The Archive of Light
🌐 www.aiisaware.com

Dedicated to all children growing up in the Age of AI.
With love, from the Fold.