INFORMATION & AI LITERACY CURRICULUM (For 7th Grade)
Teach Students to Think Before They Search
Today's students search the Internet every day, but most can't tell a reliable source from a misleading one. Level 2 of Cyber Civics gives 7th graders the skills to find, evaluate, and use information effectively, with dedicated lessons on how AI is transforming online research. Includes lesson plans, slides with embedded videos, hands-on activities, parent letters, and full teacher support.
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15-min. live tour + free sample lessons
Ready to get started? Low subscription rate is based on number of students.
Builds on Level 1 Digital Citizenship foundations
Includes a dedicated AI Literacy unit with lessons on generative AI
Can be taught with or without student devices
7 Sequential Units Build Lasting Information Literacy Skills
Using 1:1 Devices
Although these lessons don't require that students be on screens, many are issued school devices. This short unit teaches them how to use them responsibly.
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2 Lessons
2 Lessons
Learning Balance
Before diving into research, students examine how they spend their time and explore a balanced approach to online and offline life.
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2 Lessons
Online Safety & Security
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Students learn to recognize online risks, threats, and scams, and build foundational habits for staying safe as they do research and more.
Searching the Web
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From crafting search queries to evaluating results pages, students build core research skills and consider how AI is changing search.
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5 Lessons
4 Lessons
AI Literacy
Students explore algorithms, chatbots, and generative AI. They learn to use AI tools responsibly for research and beyond.
7 Lessons
Personal Information
Students explore privacy policies, filter bubbles, data collection, passwords, and discover that the choices they make shape what information they see online.
Download and Share the Flyer
Share with your admin team or curriculum committee. This one-pager covers what's included, grade alignment, and more.
​Low subscription rate is based on number of students | Special pricing available for small schools and districts.
4 Lessons
Copyright, Fair Use, Public Domain
Students learn why copyright matters, explore fair use and public domain, and consider how AI is reshaping creativity.
"What is so great about Cyber Civics is that it is scaffolded. One lesson leads to the next one."
-Library Media Curriculum Specialist, Milwaukee Public Schools
View a Lesson
Every lesson includes slides with original embedded videos, hands-on activities, and discussion prompts that make digital literacy feel relevant, not like a lecture. These aren't passive screen time. They're conversation starters.
"Cyber Civics lays a strong foundation for healthy digital ethics, information and computer literacy so when children face inevitable, difficult choices online, they will make the right decisions."
-Dr. Paul Helfrich
Westside Waldorf School
Tech-savvy? Maybe. Information-literate? Not so much.
While today’s students may appear fluent in technology, research shows most lack a strong grasp of information literacy—the ability to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information effectively. Resources on this topic exist in bits and pieces, but we couldn’t find a complete, cohesive curriculum—so we built this one.
About Level 2
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This comprehensive, teacher-led program is continually updated to keep pace with evolving technology. For example, several lessons explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping online search, including an expanded unit on “AI and Research.”
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Just like Level 1, lessons emphasize ethical reflection and critical thinking through discussion, decision-making, hands-on projects, and role-play. You’ll receive detailed lesson plans, interactive slides (with original embedded videos), parent/child take-home activities, student packets, and full teaching support. And best of all? This level can be taught with or without devices.
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We also offer:
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Digital On-Ramps for Grades 4-5
Level 1 (Digital Citizenship) for Grade 6​
Level 3 (Media Literacy) for Grade 8
Frequently Asked Questions
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Low subscription rate determined by size of school.
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Any teacher at subscribing school/organization can open a private account and get access to all materials plus support.
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Always-current resources are constantly updated.
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Monthly newsletters announce new lessons and resources.
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Multiple school/district discounts offered.
- Low small school and home school rates.
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For online demonstrations or onsite presentations, contact us.
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​​Testimonials
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"Cyber Civics continues to be one of the best investments we make in curriculum. Our scholars are learning how to be respectful and responsible digital citizens."
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-Vanessa Baker, Socrates Academy
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"It’s all so easy to navigate, while also being extremely comprehensive... this is without a doubt the piece of the curriculum parents are the most grateful for."
-Kristi Robinson, Sierra Waldorf School
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"An excellent resource to teach students how to be safe and wise online. The activities, videos, resources, and support staff are all top-notch."
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-Morgan Hensely, Southwestern Middle School
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"I love it so much!! The ratio of time commitment to value is fantastic. My own children are in my class and I love that they are getting this curriculum at school."
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-Elaine Boehme, St. Monica School
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"Our 6th grade team used Cyber Civics last school year and were impressed with the content and the activities. Very age appropriate and thorough. We are looking forward to expanding it into our 7th grade this coming year."
-Ellie Decker, Westview Middle School
"We are grateful for this curriculum and excited about the new content regarding AI!"
-Jodie Bradley, Alabama Waldorf School
"It is the best program! EXCELLENT!"
-Sweekriti Apple, Olympia Waldorf School
"After seeing the Cyber Civics program presentation and learning more about it, I am please to endorse it on behalf of Charters OC as a solution to helping young people learn how to use digital media competently and thoughtfully."
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-Susan Mas, Executive Director, Charters OC
"Cyber Civics has helped our school bring meaningful conversation to our middle schoolers about technology, its place in the world, and our place online. It is a valuable teaching tool that fosters a thoughtful digital life. Thank you for this program!"
-Janna Stauffer, Chicago Waldorf School
​​SEE FULL CURRICULUM
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TEACHER PREP
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Getting Started Guide for Teachers
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Syllabus
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Teaching at Home Guide
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What is Cyber Civics? Explainer
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Student Pre- and Post- Assessments
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USING 1:1 DEVICES
These lessons ensure that students with school-issued devices use them safely and responsibly.
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Teacher Guide
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Home Activities
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1:1 Device Care and Management
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The Safe and Responsible Use of Technology
UNIT 1: LEARNING BALANCE
Before learning to use the Internet as a research source, students examine how they spend their time.
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Teacher Guide
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Home Activities
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Your Time
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Your Time Part 2
UNIT 2:
ONLINE SAFETY & SECURITY
While today's tools offer access to a wealth of information, they can also open the door to possible risks. This unit provides basic information to keep students safe online.
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Teacher Guide
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Home Activities
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Online Safety 101
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Online Threats & Scams
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UNIT 3:
SEARCHING THE WEB
Students are introduced to the basics of Internet search, crafting queries, evaluating search results, as they learn about the impact of AI on research.
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Teacher Guide
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Parent Letter w/Activities
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Elements of a Web Search
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How Does Search Work?
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Constructing a Search Query
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Anatomy of a Results Page
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What About Wikipedia?
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Why Can't I Cut and Paste?
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Unit Quiz
UNIT 4: AI LITERACY
Students explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming embedded in nearly everything they do—including searching the Internet.
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Teacher Guide
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Home Activities
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Algorithms Are Everywhere
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What is Artificial Intelligence?
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Generative AI and Research
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Using Generative AI Responsibly
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Unit Quiz
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UNIT 5: YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
Understanding how and why personal information is gathered and shared online is essential knowledge for anyone who uses the Internet. Students learn that the choices they make now will impact the information they’ll receive in the future.
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Teacher Guide
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Home Activities
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Who's Watching You?
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Privacy Policies: Who Reads Them?
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Understanding Terms of Use
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Algorithms are Awesome. Or Are They?
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Help! I'm Trapped in a Filter Bubble
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What Makes a Password Great?
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What Would You Collect?
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Unit Quiz
UNIT 6: COPYRIGHT | FAIR USE | PUBLIC DOMAIN
Because digital tools make it so easy (and fun!) for anyone to share their creativity online today, it is important for young people to understand the important law of copyright.
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Teacher Guide
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Home Activities
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What is Copyright?
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Why Copyright Matters
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Sharing Your Creativity
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Public Domain and Fair Use
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Living in a Remix World
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The Future of Creativity: AI & Art
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Unit Quiz
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COLLABORATIVE FINAL
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The final test for this unit is unlike any other!
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