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Literacy for Kids

Open-source curricula helping children ages 8–12 understand the systems that shape the modern world.

Short, discussion-based lessons on technology, media, decisions, money, and civic life β€” designed for parents, teachers, and community educators. No special materials required.

Find the right curriculumLearn about the project

Start Here

Choose by your role or by the topic that matters most right now.

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Parents & Caregivers

Start with a topic your child is already curious about. Each curriculum has short lessons (10–20 min) you can use one-on-one at home β€” no prep needed.

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Teachers & Classrooms

Ready-to-use, discussion-based lessons designed for group settings. Pick whichever topic complements your current unit or student interest.

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Clubs, Homeschool & Libraries

Modular and flexible β€” use any topic, any lesson, in any order. Great for enrichment programs, co-ops, and reading groups.

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Technology & online safetyComputer Literacy β†’Information & online contentMedia Literacy β†’Choices & judgmentDecision Literacy β†’Money & spendingFinancial Literacy β†’Community & participationCivic Literacy β†’

How the Five Literacies Fit Together

Each curriculum covers one part of how the modern world works. Together, they help kids build a connected understanding of the systems they already interact with every day.

Computer
How technology and the internet work
Media
How information spreads and how to evaluate it
Decision
How to think clearly and weigh choices
Financial
How money, value, and trade work
Civic
How communities organize and make rules

They reinforce each other

Understanding how technology works helps kids think critically about the media and content they encounter online.
Stronger reasoning skills lead to better choices about money, spending, and value.
Civic participation β€” from classroom rules to community decisions β€” builds on clear thinking about tradeoffs and consequences.

There is no required sequence. Start with whichever topic fits your learners, and add more over time. Each curriculum works on its own, and connections between them happen naturally.

Read the full framework

Compare the Curricula

Pick whichever fits your learners β€” or use more than one over time.

Computer Literacy

Understand how computers and the internet work β€” and how to use technology responsibly.

Best forKids curious about how tech works, or who need guidance on online safety.
Good first useA family conversation about screen time or staying safe online.
Typical settingHome, classroom, or after-school program
Discussion styleExploration and guided conversation
Explore Computer Literacy β†’

Media Literacy

Learn how information spreads and how to evaluate what you see and read.

Best forKids exposed to news, social media, or advertising.
Good first useA classroom chat about ads, clickbait, or "Is this real?"
Typical settingClassroom, homeschool, or library group
Discussion styleSource analysis and group discussion
Explore Media Literacy β†’

Decision Literacy

Build the skills to think clearly, weigh options, and understand consequences.

Best forKids learning to make independent choices or navigate peer pressure.
Good first useA dinner-table conversation about a real choice your child is facing.
Typical settingAnywhere β€” works well at home or in a group
Discussion styleScenario-based reasoning and reflection
Explore Decision Literacy β†’

Financial Literacy

Learn how money works β€” earning, saving, spending, and understanding value.

Best forKids starting to handle money or asking about prices and ads.
Good first useA lesson on saving vs. spending around allowance time.
Typical settingHome, classroom, or enrichment program
Discussion styleReal-world examples and hands-on practice
Explore Financial Literacy β†’

Civic Literacy

Understand how communities organize, make rules, and share decisions.

Best forKids interested in fairness, rules, or how groups make decisions.
Good first useA group discussion about school rules or community decisions.
Typical settingClassroom, club, or community group
Discussion styleRole-play and deliberation
Explore Civic Literacy β†’

What This Looks Like in Practice

These curricula are designed to fit into the time and settings you already have. Here are three common ways to get started.

A parent at home

Pick a topic your child is curious about β€” like how ads work or what happens to saved money. Use one lesson per week at the dinner table or before bed. Each takes 15–20 minutes and needs nothing beyond the lesson page. Start a conversation, not a lecture.

A teacher in the classroom

Choose one curriculum as a 3–6 week mini-unit alongside your existing subjects. Media Literacy pairs well with current events. Decision Literacy fits social-emotional learning. Run one lesson per session and let discussion carry the learning.

A club or library facilitator

Run a weekly discussion group around one curriculum. Kids read through a lesson together, then talk about it. Works for after-school programs, homeschool co-ops, and library groups. No special training needed β€” the lessons guide the conversation.

How the Lessons Are Built

The curricula share a set of design principles that keep them practical, approachable, and consistent across the project.

Short, modular lessons

Each lesson takes 10–20 minutes and works independently. Use one lesson, a handful, or a full sequence β€” pick what fits your time.

Discussion over memorization

Lessons are built around questions and conversation, not quizzes or recall. The goal is thinking, not test prep.

Real-world systems kids already encounter

Every topic connects to things children interact with daily β€” screens, ads, money, rules, choices. Nothing abstract or theoretical.

Age-appropriate for 8–12

Language, examples, and complexity are calibrated for upper-elementary learners. No oversimplification, no jargon.

No expertise required from adults

Parents and educators do not need to be subject-matter experts. The lessons guide the conversation and provide the context you need.

Flexible across settings

Designed to work at home, in classrooms, in clubs, in libraries, and in homeschool β€” with no adaptation required.

Common Questions

Quick answers to the things people usually ask first.

  • Do I need to use all five curricula?

    No. Each curriculum is independent. Start with whichever topic matters most for your learners and add more if you want to. There is no required sequence.

  • Where should I start?

    Start with whatever your child or students are most curious about. If kids are asking about ads or online video, try Media Literacy. If they are starting to handle money, try Financial Literacy. The "Start Here" section at the top of this page can help you choose.

  • What age range are these designed for?

    The curricula are designed for children ages 8–12 (roughly grades 3–6). The language and examples are age-appropriate, but the topics are relevant enough that older or younger learners can also benefit with light adjustment.

  • Do I need to be an expert to teach these?

    No. The lessons provide the background you need and are designed around discussion, not lecture. Your job is to read the lesson, ask the questions, and listen. You do not need specialized training in any of the five topics.

  • Can I adapt the lessons for my setting?

    Yes β€” they are designed for it. You can rearrange lessons, skip ones that do not fit, add your own examples, or translate the materials. The curricula are a starting point you can make your own.

  • Are these really free?

    Yes. Every curriculum is open source and available at no cost. No login, no paywall, no restrictions. You can also fork the materials on GitHub and build your own version.

Use, Adapt, or Contribute

These curricula are open source. That means you can use them for free, adjust them for your context, or help make them better.

Use as-is

Open any curriculum site and start using the lessons directly. No signup or download needed.

Adapt locally

Rearrange lessons, add your own examples, or adjust the pacing to fit your classroom, family, or group.

Fork and remix

Fork a curriculum repository on GitHub to create your own version β€” translated, restructured, or extended for a new context.

Contribute back

Spot a typo, have a better example, or want to improve a lesson? Open an issue or pull request on any curriculum repo.