Elementary School Homepage – Copyright & Creativity

Each lesson below contains a short animation intended to spark a classroom discussion. Grades K-2 lessons introduce age-appropriate, ethical (and non-legal) concepts of sharing, ownership, and attribution. Grades 3-6 explore copyright explicitly, including related topics of fair use, public domain, and open sharing through Creative Commons.

For teachers wanting more background in copyright and fair use, our professional development course is free and available on demand.

We may also be able to offer a free online training for your county or district. Inquire at: [email protected]

Newly released in BETA: Escape Room Activities reinforce the copyright concepts taught in the elementary lessons.

GRADE K: Respect the Person

LESSON PDF | LESSON SLIDES | ESCAPE ROOM
Young students learn the importance of attribution—getting credit for the work they do and giving credit to others for their creative work.

GRADE 1: It’s Great to Create & Play Fair

LESSON PDF | LESSON SLIDES | ESCAPE ROOM
Students learn the importance of attribution—getting credit for the work they do and giving credit to others for their creative work.

GRADE 2: Creativity & Sharing Fairly

LESSON PDF | LESSON SLIDES | ESCAPE ROOM
Students learn about ownership concepts associated with creative work and how their work might be shared.

GRADE 3: Sharing Fairly

LESSON PDF | LESSON SLIDES | ESCAPE ROOM
This lesson introduces the concept of fair use. It promotes creative expression and gives students experience with the basic idea of copyright.

GRADE 4: Digital Sharing Ethics

LESSON PDF | LESSON SLIDES | ESCAPE ROOM
Students learn the challenges and benefits of respecting ownership and copyright, particularly in digital environments. The lesson also explores the concept of fair use.

GRADE 5: Copyright in the Real World (Part 1)

LESSON PDF | LESSON SLIDES | ESCAPE ROOM
This lesson gives students an experience that teaches them how to identify copyrighted work and understand Creative Commons licenses for finding creative work.

GRADE 6: Copyright in the Real World (Part 2)

LESSON PDF | LESSON SLIDES | ESCAPE ROOM
Part two reinforces fair use concepts and the basic protections and limitations of copyright. Students learn how copyright encourages creative expression.