AI, CS, & Digital Literacy

Schools across the country are rethinking screen time, particularly in elementary classrooms, and our region is no exception. As ODE develops statewide guidance, many local districts have already begun these conversations.

If you’re wondering what that means for teaching coding and computational thinking, there are plenty of hands-on ways to keep those skills growing. For our youngest learners, opportunities to move, manipulate objects, and share ideas may be an especially good fit!

Imagine students arranging arrows to guide a partner through a paper map. When the directions don’t reach the destination, they find the problem and try a change. That’s algorithm design and debugging—without a device.

These activities also give students more ways to share their thinking. Young learners and multilingual students can demonstrate ideas through pictures, gestures, and objects as their reading and English skills develop.

Already using Code.org?  Its K–5 unplugged resources bring a familiar look and feel to hands-on…

Update! Gemini Gems and Skills Transition Guide from Google If you know me, you know my love for Gemini Gems! I’ve had so much fun working with many of you to create Choose Your Own Adventure style Gems, daily math warm-up Gems, and Gems that use familiar K–5 STEM lessons to teach AI literacy.

Now, Google is transitioning from Gems to Skills, and Skills are starting to arrive in education accounts! Have no fear, fellow Gem aficionados: Google says Gems in Workspace for Education won’t go away before June 1, 2027, and remaining Gems will automatically transition to draft Skills. But if you’re ready to start exploring now, here’s how to manually recreate your favorites. There’s also a Gemini-powered creation option, which I’ve had good luck with!

Step 1: Gather Your Gem Information & Files

1. Open your browser and go to gemini.google.com.

2. Click Open Sidebar at the top, then select Gems.

3. Find…

Who made this? Can I trust it? Why is it showing up in my feed?

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend the inaugural News Literacy Project convention, and I came away thinking about the deep connections between digital literacy and media literacy, and what those connections mean for our classrooms.

With Media Literacy Week coming up October 26–30, I wanted to share a few great resources I brought home. Whether you teach elementary, middle, or high school, there’s something here to help students ask thoughtful questions about what they see, read, hear—and create.

Where do digital literacy and media literacy intersect?

Knowing how to use a device is one piece of digital literacy. Students also need practice finding reliable information, evaluating online content, and using digital tools thoughtfully. Media literacy builds on those skills by asking: Who created this message? What is its purpose? How…

What helps students make thoughtful choices online? The same skills we nurture throughout the school day: curiosity, empathy, critical thinking, and good judgment.

Digital citizenship means putting those skills into practice as we learn, connect, and participate in a digital world. It includes protecting personal information, treating others with respect, checking sources, and recognizing how technology affects our attention and well-being.

Digital Citizenship Week is October 19–23, making next week a great opportunity to start a conversation or build on work you’re already doing! Common Sense Education has free activities for every K–12 grade band, with this year’s focus on critical thinking in a world with AI. Activities take approximately 20–40 minutes.

Here’s a peek at what students can explore:

• K–2: Ask questions, search for answers, and practice checking information.