The clock is ticking.

Parent says: Two of these sound convincing. How could we find out what's true?

Goal: Name a way of checking a claim beyond whether it sounds convincing.

1. Human Direction — 2 minutes

Read three adult-written practice claims: “All birds can fly”; “A triangle has three sides”; “The Moon makes its own light.” Label these as a practice set written for this activity, not genuine AI output. The child gives an initial view and a reason.

2. AI Acceleration — 4 minutes

Discuss how an AI might help suggest questions, while using a reference book or trusted source to check each claim. No tool is required. First claim is false, second true, third false; the Moon reflects sunlight. Older children should check context and look for independently reliable evidence, rather than counting repeated search results.

3. Human Judgement — 4 minutes

The child chooses one claim and explains the evidence that settled it. Ask: “Would confidence alone have been enough?”

Questions to ask

• Would confidence alone have been enough?

What to listen for

Listen for whether the child distinguishes a claim from evidence and can revise an initial answer.

Offline version

The entire lesson works with a book.

Extension

For older children: explain why two websites copying the same claim are not two independent checks.

Parent says: Draw a house. Compare drawings without calling either wrong.

Goal: Identify one missing detail and improve an instruction.

1. Human Direction — 3 minutes

The child describes the house they meant and chooses three details that matter.

2. AI Acceleration — 3 minutes

The parent acts as a literal instruction follower and draws from the improved description. Explain that this is a simple analogy for giving directions, not a model of how all AI works. Repeat with bricks if preferred.

3. Human Judgement — 4 minutes

The child compares the result with the intention, identifies a mismatch and revises one sentence.

Questions to ask

• What did I have to guess?
• What would you tell me next time?

What to listen for

Listen for clearer purpose, constraints and useful detail rather than simply more words.

Offline version

This is the default version of the lesson.

Extension

Add a constraint such as using only five bricks.

Parent says: Here is an adult-written example, not an AI answer: “The new playground is perfect. It has a tall climbing tower, loud music and a fast spinning roundabout. Everyone will love it.”

Goal: Explain how an account can leave out an important viewpoint.

1. Human Direction — 2 minutes

Define what would make a playground welcoming to different people.

2. AI Acceleration — 4 minutes

Use the practice text as material to examine; optionally an adult can prepare another short example. Ask whose experience is missing: wheelchair users, children who prefer quiet, younger children, carers. Do not present these as assumptions about every person in a group.

3. Human Judgement — 4 minutes

Rewrite two sentences to include needs the original overlooked. The child explains why the changes matter.

Questions to ask

• Does “everyone” hide a guess?
• Who would you ask before deciding?

What to listen for

Listen for identifying assumptions without stereotyping people.

Offline version

Use only the supplied text.

Optional adult-only preparation prompt

I am an adult preparing a family activity. Write one short fictional description of a public place that sounds positive but leaves out some people's needs. Do not use real names or a real school.

Extension

Compare two plausible designs and discuss a trade-off.

Parent says: Four notebooks cost £12 in total. Each costs the same. How much does one cost? (Parent answer: £3.)

Goal: Solve and explain a problem after receiving a limited hint.

1. Human Direction — 3 minutes

The child attempts the problem and explains where they are stuck.

2. AI Acceleration — 3 minutes

Offer only this first hint: “How could you share £12 equally between four notebooks?” Offer a drawing or four piles of counters if helpful. An optional adult preparation prompt may request one hint, not a solution. Actual AI output must be checked by the adult before use.

3. Human Judgement — 4–9 minutes

The child explains the method, then solves a transfer problem: “Five identical pens cost £20. How much is one?” Parent answer: £4. For older children, use a suitable problem already understood by the adult and permitted by school homework rules.

Questions to ask

• What can you now do without the hint?

What to listen for

Listen for an independent explanation, not a repeated answer.

Offline version

Use the supplied hint. No tool is required.

Optional adult-only preparation prompt

I am an adult preparing a learning activity. For the fictional problem below, suggest one small hint that supports the learner's next step. Do not solve it or provide the final answer. Problem: four identical notebooks cost £12. What does one cost?

Extension

The child writes a similar question and checks the solution.

Parent says: Who is this information about, and who has agreed to share it?

Goal: Recognise information that should not be pasted into a public tool.

1. Human Direction — 2 minutes

Ask who information is about and who has agreed to share it.

2. AI Acceleration — 4 minutes

Sort into “safe fictional material for this activity”, “keep private” and “ask a trusted adult first”. Explain that tool rules and privacy settings also matter; removing a name does not necessarily make a document anonymous.

3. Human Judgement — 4 minutes

The child explains two decisions and rewrites one example as a genuinely fictional scenario. A friend's image, passwords and real reports stay out of public prompts.

Questions to ask

• Would you be happy for somebody else to choose where your information goes?

What to listen for

Listen for privacy and permission, not just spotting a name.

Offline version

This is the default version of the lesson.

Extension

Identify details that could identify someone when combined.

Parent says: Invent a character and choose one problem for a short original story.

Goal: Explain a creative choice and a deliberate improvement.

1. Human Direction — 4 minutes

The child invents a character and chooses one problem for a short original story.

2. AI Acceleration — 4 minutes

Offer three adult-written starter options: “A map changes whenever someone tells a lie”; “A tiny robot is afraid of the dark”; “A dragon opens a repair shop.” Label them as written examples. The child may combine, reject or change them. Where appropriate, an adult could prepare alternative ideas with a permitted tool, but the tool should not write the child's story.

3. Human Judgement — 7 minutes

The child creates a short paragraph, comic or spoken story; changes one detail intentionally; explains what makes it theirs. Discuss honestly acknowledging help when school rules require it.

Questions to ask

• Which idea did you reject, and why?
• What did you decide yourself?

What to listen for

Listen for intentional choices rather than a claim that changing a few words automatically makes copied work original.

Offline version

Use the supplied options.

Optional adult-only preparation prompt

Suggest three one-sentence starting situations for an original children's story about a lost object. Make them clearly different. Do not write the story, ending or characters' dialogue.

Extension

Retell the same event from another character's viewpoint.