Digital life and AI literacyFree
AI Literacy Activity
AI or Not? Card Sort · Artificial Intelligence
- Grades
- Grades 7–12
- Formats
- Google Slides, PDF, PowerPoint
- Pages
- 12
- Answer keys
- Included
Opens our store on Teachers Pay Teachers, where you can see the full preview and download.
Can your students tell what really counts as artificial intelligence? This free AI literacy activity gives middle and high school students a clear, accurate, no-hype answer in one class period. Students read a short article on what AI is (and isn't), then sort 16 everyday technologies with a partner: does it learn from data, or does it follow fixed rules? No devices or student accounts needed.
What's included
- Teacher guide with a one-period lesson plan and differentiation (support, on level, challenge)
- Standards and contents page with teacher notes: AI in plain English and common student misconceptions
- "What Is AI, Really?" article (artificial intelligence, machine learning, data, patterns and predictions)
- Think It Through article questions + Myth or Fact (8 statements)
- AI or Not? 16 sort cards to cut apart (learns from data vs. follows fixed rules)
- Sort recording sheet with 4 reflection questions
- Talk About It: 4 group discussion questions + a cut-off exit ticket
- Answer keys, including a card-by-card guide and discussion look-fors
- Want the full resource? A look at the complete AI Literacy mini-unit and the Digital Life & AI Literacy Bundle
How to use it
Use it as an AI kickoff lesson in computer science, technology, ELA, media literacy, library or advisory, as a sub day or enrichment lesson, or before students start using AI tools. Print and go: just cut apart the cards (one set per pair). Every activity works without devices, so it fits any district AI policy.
Skills practiced
AI literacymachine learning basicsclassifying and justifyingtechnical vocabularyreading informational textcollaborative discussion
