Lesson Plan
Why Lenny Rocks!
Students will be able to define what an AI model is, identify examples of AI in their daily lives, and explain how AI tools like 'Lenny' can assist in learning and creation.
Understanding AI is crucial in today's world. This lesson helps students demystify AI, see its practical applications, and recognize its potential as a helpful tool for learning and creativity, rather than something complex or intimidating.
Audience
4th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through engaging slides, discussion, and a hands-on activity.
Materials
Why Lenny Rocks! Slide Deck, AI Explorer Activity Sheet, and Cool Down: AI Reflection Ticket
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Why Lenny Rocks! Lesson Plan, Why Lenny Rocks! Slide Deck, and Why Lenny Rocks! Script.
- Print copies of the AI Explorer Activity Sheet (one per student).
- Prepare materials for the 'AI Explorer' activity: drawing supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils).
- Print copies of the Cool Down: AI Reflection Ticket (one per student).
Step 1
Warm-Up: What is Smart?
5 minutes
Begin with a quick class discussion to activate prior knowledge. Ask students:
- "What does it mean for something to be 'smart'?"
- "Can computers be smart? How?"
Use Why Lenny Rocks! Slide Deck Slide 1-2.
Step 2
Introducing AI & Lenny
10 minutes
Use the Why Lenny Rocks! Slide Deck and Why Lenny Rocks! Script to introduce what AI models are, focusing on language models. Explain what 'Lenny' is and how AI can help with schoolwork and creative projects. Show real-world examples of AI.
- What is AI?
- Where do we see AI?
- How can AI help us?
Step 3
AI Explorer Activity
10 minutes
Distribute the AI Explorer Activity Sheet. Students will draw and write about an AI tool they imagine or already know, explaining how it helps people. Encourage creativity and thinking about how AI can solve problems or make tasks easier.
Step 4
Share & Reflect
3 minutes
Invite a few students to share their 'AI Explorer' creations. Facilitate a brief discussion about their ideas and discoveries.
Step 5
Cool Down: AI Reflection Ticket
2 minutes
Distribute the Cool Down: AI Reflection Ticket. Students will write one new thing they learned about AI or one question they still have. Collect these as an exit ticket.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
What Makes Something SMART?
🧠What does it mean to be smart?
💻 Can computers be smart? How?
Welcome students and introduce the topic of being 'smart.' Encourage a brief discussion about what makes something smart, leading into the idea of computers being smart too.
What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is when computers learn and think like people do!
It helps computers do amazing things, like:
- Understanding your voice
- Recommending videos
- Helping you find things online
Transition to introducing Artificial Intelligence. Explain that AI is when computers are programmed to think and learn like humans. Keep it simple and relatable for 4th graders.
Meet Lenny: Your AI Learning Buddy!
I'm Lenny! I'm an AI that helps teachers create awesome lessons.
AI tools like me can help you too!
- Brainstorm ideas for stories
- Get help with tricky homework questions
- Discover new facts about subjects you love
Introduce Lenny as an example of an AI model, specifically a language model. Explain how Lenny helps teachers create lessons and how AI can be a helpful tool for students.
AI All Around Us!
Where do you see AI?
- Smart speakers (like Alexa or Google Home)
- Suggesting movies on Netflix or YouTube
- Face filters on social media apps
- Video games that play against you
Provide everyday examples of AI that students might already encounter, making the concept more concrete and less abstract.
Become an AI Explorer!
It's your turn to imagine!
Think about an AI tool:
- You already know
- You wish existed
How does it help people?
Introduce the activity. Explain that students will become 'AI Explorers' and imagine their own AI tool or think about one they already know.
Time to Reflect!
What did you learn about AI today?
What questions do you still have about AI?
Conclude the lesson by preparing students for the cool-down activity, prompting them to reflect on what they've learned.
Script
Why Lenny Rocks! Script
Warm-Up: What Makes Something SMART? (5 minutes)
(Teacher displays Why Lenny Rocks! Slide Deck - Slide 1)
"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to explore something super cool: how computers can be smart, just like us, but in their own special way!"
"First, I want you to think for a moment: What does it mean for something or someone to be smart? You can think about people, animals, or even things around you."
(Pause for student responses, encouraging a few different ideas.)
"Great ideas! We often think about smart people who know a lot or solve problems. But what about computers? Can computers be smart? How do they show their smarts?"
(Pause for student responses. Guide them to think about phones, tablets, or games.)
"Fantastic! You've already thought of some ways computers show their 'smarts.' Today, we're going to learn about something called Artificial Intelligence, or AI, which is all about making computers super helpers!"
Introducing AI & Lenny (10 minutes)
(Teacher displays Why Lenny Rocks! Slide Deck - Slide 2)
"So, what is Artificial Intelligence? It sounds like something from a science fiction movie, right? But it's actually all around us!"
"Imagine a computer that can learn and think almost like a human. That's what AI is! It's when we teach computers to understand things, make decisions, and even create new things."
"For example, when you talk to a smart speaker like Alexa or Google Home, that's AI at work! It understands your voice and tries to give you the information you ask for."
(Teacher displays Why Lenny Rocks! Slide Deck - Slide 3)
"Now, I want to introduce you to a special kind of AI, one that's helping us right now! My name is Lenny, and I am an AI that helps teachers create awesome lessons, like the one we're doing today! I help put together ideas, activities, and even slides to make learning fun for you."
"AI tools like me can also help you! Imagine you're writing a story and get stuck. An AI could give you ideas for what happens next! Or if you have a tricky math problem, AI might help you understand the steps. It's like having a super-powered thinking assistant!"
(Teacher displays Why Lenny Rocks! Slide Deck - Slide 4)
"Let's think about where else we see AI in our daily lives. Can anyone think of an example of AI you've seen or used?"
(Prompt students for examples: suggestions on YouTube/Netflix, face filters on apps, video games with computer opponents.)
"That's right! From the games you play to the videos you watch, AI is helping make things smarter and more interesting. It's designed to help us, learn with us, and make tasks a little easier."
AI Explorer Activity (10 minutes)
(Teacher displays Why Lenny Rocks! Slide Deck - Slide 5)
"Now it's your turn to be an AI Explorer! I'm going to hand out an AI Explorer Activity Sheet to everyone."
"On this sheet, I want you to either:
- Draw and write about an AI tool you already know, like a smart speaker or a video game character.
- Or, imagine and invent your own AI tool! What would it do? How would it help people?"
"Think creatively! Your AI could help with homework, clean your room, tell amazing stories, or even help you invent new games! Be ready to share your creation with us."
(Distribute activity sheets and drawing supplies. Circulate to assist students.)
Share & Reflect (3 minutes)
"Alright, AI Explorers, pencils down! Who would like to share their amazing AI creation or the AI they explored? Tell us what it does and how it helps people!"
(Call on a few volunteers to share their work.)
"Wow, those are incredible ideas! It's clear that AI can be a really powerful tool when we think about how it can help us and others."
Cool Down: AI Reflection Ticket (2 minutes)
(Teacher displays Why Lenny Rocks! Slide Deck - Slide 6)
"To wrap up our lesson today, I have one more quick task for you. I'm going to give you a Cool Down: AI Reflection Ticket."
"On this ticket, I want you to write one new thing you learned about AI today, or one question you still have about AI. This will help me see what stuck with you and what we might explore more next time."
"When you're done, please hand in your ticket as you leave class. Great job today, everyone!"
Worksheet
AI Explorer Activity Sheet
Name: ___________________________ Date: ___________________________
My AI Discovery!
Think about AI (Artificial Intelligence). It's when computers can learn and think like people to help us.
Your Mission:
Option 1: Explore an AI you know!
Draw and write about an AI tool you've seen or used before. (Hint: Think about smart speakers, video games, or even apps that suggest things to you!)
OR
Option 2: Invent a new AI tool!
Imagine an AI tool that doesn't exist yet. What would it do? How would it help people?
My AI Idea:
Draw your AI tool here:
What is the name of your AI tool (or the AI tool you chose)?
What does your AI tool do?
How does your AI tool help people?
Bonus Challenge:
What is one thing your AI tool cannot do?
Cool Down
Cool Down: AI Reflection Ticket
Name: ___________________________
My AI Thoughts
Thinking about what we learned about AI today, please answer one of the following:
1. One New Thing I Learned About AI:
OR
2. One Question I Still Have About AI: