TK–6 Learning Progression
Foundations first. Then real-world creation with the right tools at the right time.
Every Cold Spring student moves through a deliberate progression — from playful early literacy and block coding, through vibe coding with imagi in Grade 3, to student-directed creation and independent judgment by Grade 6.
- 01
TK – Kindergarten
Foundations, play, and the first taste of block coding.
Children build strong routines, oral language, early literacy, number sense, and social-emotional habits. Technology appears in short, playful moments — including kindergarten block coding with Ozobots, Dash bots, and screen-free coding activities — always led by a teacher.
Instructional focus
- Print-rich literacy and read-alouds
- Number sense and hands-on math
- Kindness, listening, and turn-taking
- Introductory block coding through play
AI use at this stage
No independent AI use. Teachers may model an AI tool for the class in bounded, purposeful ways.
- 02
Grades 1 – 2
Fluency, curiosity, and the Digital Driver's License.
Students build reading fluency, writing stamina, and computational fluency. Second graders receive their MacBook and their Digital Driver's License — a student-signed commitment to safe, kind, honest use of school technology.
Instructional focus
- Decoding, fluency, and writing stamina
- Adaptive practice through district-approved tools
- Digital citizenship habits
- Continued block coding and creative play
AI use at this stage
Teacher-directed use only. Students learn what AI is, how it can be helpful, and why they still do their own thinking.
- 03
Grade 3
Imagi vibe coding begins.
Third grade introduces imagi vibe coding — students describe an idea, work with an AI-supported coding environment, test the result, debug, and explain how their creation works. Alongside imagi, students continue foundational reading, writing, and mathematics with growing independence.
Instructional focus
- Imagi vibe coding — students remain the authors
- Multi-paragraph writing and revision
- Multiplication fluency and reasoning
- Digital citizenship deepens
AI use at this stage
Guided vibe coding and light AI-supported creation. Every project answers the five authorship questions.
- 04
Grades 4 – 5
Applied creation across subjects.
Students take on longer projects that combine research, writing, coding, and design. Suno enters music and creative work; robotics missions grow more complex; and students practice showing independent work, applied creation, and honest reflection.
Instructional focus
- Research writing with attribution
- Suno original composition
- Robotics with math-standards-aligned projects
- Project curation and reflection
AI use at this stage
Student-directed use within teacher-set boundaries, with a Student Creation Record on every AI-assisted artifact.
- 05
Grade 6
Independent thinkers, thoughtful creators, ready for what's next.
By sixth grade, Cold Spring students read, write, and reason independently; use AI as a tool they direct; evaluate information carefully; explain and defend their thinking; and take responsibility for what they create and share.
Instructional focus
- Independent academic writing and reasoning
- Sustained project work across subjects
- Leadership in collaboration and kindness
- Project export and transition planning
AI use at this stage
Student-directed use with clear judgment about when to use AI — and when to set it aside.
Want to see how these skills show up in student work?