Prompting Young Minds: A Hands-On Guide to K–5 AI Image Creation

Pack your device and step into the role of a student as you explore generative AI for creating images in the K-5 classroom. This hands-on poster presentation shows how young learners can use age-appropriate AI tools to visualize stories, construct animal habitats and present research findings while building creativity, communication and scientific observation. Explore classroom-tested strategies spanning grades 1-5 for integrating AI into literacy, science, art and digital citizenship, and examine real student artifacts, from 1st-grade turtle habitats to 5th-grade media literacy projects. Learn how to scaffold the prompt-writing process with familiar platforms like Adobe Express, Google Gemini and Canva, evaluate tools for developmental appropriateness and student safety and use AI-assisted creation to strengthen descriptive writing. Grounded in core educational standards, the session prepares you to design a standards-aligned, cross-curricular lesson incorporating AI image tools. You will leave with prompt-writing templates, digital citizenship resources and more, tailored specifically for elementary learners.