AI Sorting Challenge

This worksheet is designed for students in Grades 4-6 to strengthen reading comprehension, classification, critical thinking, and technology understanding through real-world scenarios. Students read short descriptions of everyday tools and systems, then decide whether each example involves artificial intelligence or simple automation, helping them build accurate, informed understanding of how AI works in daily life.

Learning Goals

• AI vs. Automation (Grades 4-6) – Distinguish between basic automated tools and systems that use artificial intelligence.
• Reading & Categorization Skills – Read short scenarios carefully and sort information into correct categories.
• Critical Thinking – Challenge assumptions and explain reasoning behind classification choices.
• Conceptual Understanding – Apply definitions of AI, learning systems, and prediction-based technology.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Developed by educators to support upper-elementary science and ELA standards.
• Real-Life Examples – Uses familiar tools and situations to clarify abstract technology concepts.
• Inquiry-Based Format – Encourages discussion, reasoning, and justification of answers.
• Flexible Use – Works well for STEM lessons, literacy blocks, independent practice, or group discussion.

This printable worksheet helps students develop a clearer understanding of artificial intelligence by comparing it with everyday automation. By sorting scenarios and explaining their thinking, learners strengthen reasoning, reading comprehension, and problem-solving skills while correcting common misconceptions about technology. Ideal for classroom or homeschool use, this no-prep activity builds foundational digital literacy and supports thoughtful conversations about how AI appears in modern life.

This worksheet is part of our History of AI collection.