Lesson pack · Intro to AI

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

A first look at what AI is and where students already meet it - anchored by a Cece story, an exit ticket, and a rich book, movie, and tool list.

Grades K–5FlexibleIntro unitOffline options
Download the complete lesson (.zip) See what's included ↓
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At a glance

Is this right for my class?

Grade & subject

Designed for elementary students (grades K–5), with a teacher guiding the youngest learners. A gentle first introduction to AI.

Time & prerequisites

Flexible. Works as one class or across a few short sessions. No prior AI experience needed - this is the starting point.

Devices & internet

Optional. The story, discussion, and exit ticket run offline. The linked tools (Scratch chatbot, Code.org) need devices.

Learning goal

What students will learn

Essential question: What is artificial intelligence, and where do we already meet it in everyday life?

By the end, students can

  • Describe, in their own words, what artificial intelligence is.
  • Give examples of AI they already use or see.
  • Talk about how machines can seem to 'think' and where they can be wrong.
  • Show curiosity about how AI works through stories and media.

Big idea

AI is all around us. Long before students build anything, they can name where AI already shows up and start asking good questions about it.

Before you teach

Prepare & materials

Required (works offline)

  • Printed copies of the Cece story.
  • The printable Exit Ticket, one per student.
  • The resource list (books, movies, and tools) for choosing follow-ups.

Prep time: about 10 minutes to print the story and exit ticket.

Optional (needs devices)

  • Devices for the linked activities (Scratch "Build an AI chatbot," Code.org AI for Oceans, SpriteBox).
  • A screen to show one of the listed movie clips.

How to teach it

Suggested teaching flow

This unit is a set of materials rather than a scripted agenda. Here is a suggested way to teach it.

  1. Read the Cece story and talk about what "artificial intelligence" might mean.
  2. Spot AI in daily life - students name places they already meet AI (voice assistants, recommendations, games).
  3. Explore together - pick a book, movie clip, or a tool from the resource list to go deeper.
  4. Wrap up with the Exit Ticket to capture what students now understand.

Checking for understanding

Assessment

Along the way (formative)

  • Class discussion of what AI is and where it appears.
  • Students' own examples and questions.

Adapt it

Differentiate & extend

Support

  • Read the story aloud and pause to discuss.
  • Offer a word bank of AI examples.
  • Let students draw an example of AI instead of writing.

Stretch

  • Try the Scratch "Build an AI chatbot" activity.
  • Compare two of the listed movies and how they show robots or AI.

The bundle

What's included

Download everything at once, or grab the pieces you need. All files are PDFs.

Download the complete lesson (.zip)
  • Cece story - an illustrated intro-to-AI story. Open ↗
  • Exit ticket - the end-of-lesson check. Open ↗
  • Resource list - books, movies, and tools to go further. Open ↗

Good to know

This intro pack does not include a formal standards map yet. Grade band: elementary (K–5). Pair it with the Facial Recognition or Machine Learning lessons for a standards-aligned session.

© 2026 Morgan State University. Free to download and use in your classroom. Version 2026. Questions or want to adapt and share it more widely? k12ceamls@morgan.edu.