AI Tools

Artificial intelligence is evolving quickly, and TSD is committed to responding thoughtfully as these tools become part of teaching and learning. The tools highlighted on this page have gone through a district vetting process and have been intentionally added for use with students. As we review student-facing AI tools, we consider factors such as instructional purpose, student privacy and safety, teacher guidance, age-appropriate use, accessibility, and how well the tool supports student learning. Our goal is not to react to every new AI tool, but to make careful decisions about resources that can support learning and help students build the skills they need to use AI responsibly and be future ready.

Classroom Tools

Thompson School District provides access to approved AI tools that support safe, responsible, and meaningful learning. These tools are selected with student privacy, security, and instructional purpose in mind. As students use AI, they are encouraged to think critically, evaluate information, use technology ethically, and keep their own voice and ideas at the center of their work.

MagicSchool

MagicSchool is an education-focused AI platform designed to support teaching and learning. In TSD, student experiences in MagicSchool are designed and initiated by teachers and allow the teacher to have full visibility into student interactions with the tool.

Ways students may use MagicSchool in TSD include: brainstorming ideas, organizing their thinking, practicing skills, getting feedback, reflecting on their work, and engaging in teacher-guided learning activities.

**If you don't have a rostered class, you can still add MagicSchool to your ClassLink Launchpad by clicking the + in the toolbar and selecting the tool.**

Snorkl

Snorkl is an AI-supported learning tool that helps students explain their thinking and receive feedback. In TSD, teachers may use Snorkl to create activities where students respond to prompts, problems, or questions using voice, drawings, text, or images. Teachers are able to review student responses and use the information to better understand student thinking.

Ways students may use Snorkl in TSD include explaining their problem-solving process, showing what they understand, practicing academic language, reflecting on their learning, and receiving feedback that helps them revise and improve their work. Snorkl is intended to make student thinking more visible and support the role of the teacher in guiding learning.

Google Gemini

Google offers AI tools that support learning, research, organization, and productivity within the Google Workspace for Education environment. In TSD, Gemini will be available for high school students only, while Gemini Notebook will be available for students in grades 6-12. Google Classroom may also include integrations with Gemini and NotebookLM, giving teachers a way to connect AI-supported learning experiences to classroom activities.

Ways students may use Google AI tools in TSD include exploring ideas, organizing information, working with teacher-provided resources, creating study supports, and building understanding of class materials. These tools are intended to support learning while helping students use AI thoughtfully, responsibly, and with teacher guidance.

Design and Media Tools

These district-approved creative tools include generative AI features as part of their design and media creation platforms. These features may support students as they create visuals, presentations, graphics, videos, and other digital media.

Canva
Adobe Express

Canva

Canva is a creative design and media platform that includes AI-assisted features for creating and editing content.

In TSD, students and teachers may use Canva to design presentations, graphics, videos, posters, and other digital media. Canva’s generative AI features can support the creative process by helping users develop design ideas, generate or edit visual elements, and build classroom materials.

Adobe Express

Adobe Express is a creative design and media platform that includes AI-assisted features for creating, editing, and enhancing digital content. In TSD, students and teachers may use Adobe Express to create presentations, graphics, videos, posters, webpages, and other digital media. Adobe Express is also integrated with MagicSchool, giving teachers and students additional ways to connect AI-supported learning activities with creative projects.

Curriculum Tools

Red background with graduated white circles in a circle with ALN in the middle

Purple and blue graduated colors on the letters AI with diamonds over the I and By Savvas underneath

AI Math Coach
SavvyWriter by Savvas for Students

AI Math Coach

All Learners Network AI Math Coach is an AI-assisted math coaching tool designed for K-8 educators. In TSD, teachers may use AI Math Coach to support lesson planning, differentiated instruction, math intervention, and instructional decision-making. The tool provides on-demand coaching, research-backed strategies, and resources aligned to K-8 math learning progressions.

Ways teachers may use AI Math Coach in TSD include planning targeted math interventions, identifying student misconceptions, strengthening math content knowledge, and selecting instructional next steps. AI Math Coach is intended to support teachers in meeting student needs while keeping professional judgment and strong instructional practice at the center.

SavvyWriter by Savvas for Students

SavvyWriter by Savvas is a digital writing tool available with myPerspectives English Language Arts for grades 6-12. In TSD, students may use SavvyWriter to plan, draft, receive feedback, and revise their writing. The tool is designed to show students how to improve their writing rather than doing the writing or revising for them.

Teachers can assign myPerspectives lessons, select writing tasks, or create custom prompts. They also have flexibility in whether they use SavvyWriter’s AI features and instructional supports as part of the writing experience.

Guiding Principles

Human-Centered Approach

AI should ultimately provide a positive experience with intentional use in teaching, learning, and operations. AI should not replace any educational experience or the role educators play. By guiding students in thoughtful and human-centered AI use, we aim to prepare them for meaningful engagement with technology in both academic and real-world contexts.

Student and Staff Agency

AI tools should be used to accomplish the TSD Portrait of a Graduate, enhancing learning, critical thinking, collaboration, self-advocacy, and citizenship so that our students are well prepared to contribute in their community and compete in the global economy.

Ethical and Responsible Use

Students and staff must uphold academic integrity by crediting sources and acknowledging AI use, ensuring that all work is authentically their own, furthering the opportunity for continual improvement through the feedback cycle.

Safety and Security

Students and staff should not be put at increased risk by using AI, nor should their personally identifying information be unlawfully shared. Users should comply with state law and TSD policy surrounding AI use as they would any other digital tool.

Elementary Students

Think Before You Use AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can give you ideas and support your learning. But it’s important to use AI safely, responsibly, and honestly. This guide helps you understand how to use AI the smart way at school.

Use AI Wisely and Listen to Your Teacher

Not all AI tools are safe or right for school—check before you use one. Only use tools approved or given by your school. Before using AI, ask yourself:

Is this tool safe and meant for students?
Is it right for this job?

Always follow your school’s technology rules and your teacher’s directions. If you’re not sure whether a tool or activity is okay, ask a trusted adult like your teacher.

Be Honest About How You Use AI

It’s okay to get help from AI when your teacher allows it—but be honest about it.

Follow your teacher’s rules.
Don’t pretend AI’s work is your own.

Keep Your Thinking First

AI is a tool, but your brain is the most important part of your learning. AI can be helpful, but it’s not always right. It might give wrong or unfair answers. That’s why you need to:

Think about what AI gives you and make sure it makes sense.
Use your own voice and understanding in your work.

Stay Safe and Be Kind

Use AI in ways that are safe, respectful, and kind to others.

Never share your personal information with AI tools.
Don’t use AI to bully, copy, or pretend to be someone else.
Respect other people’s work and privacy.

AI as a Learning Partner

When you’re in the lead, AI can help you grow. AI works best when you are in charge. It can help you:

Brainstorm new ideas
Solve tricky problems
Express yourself in new ways

But it should never replace your thinking. Using AI wisely helps you build important skills like creativity, teamwork, and responsibility.

How AI Can Help

Get creative: Use AI to spark ideas for writing or art.
Solve problems: Ask for different ways to solve a math or science problem.
Say it better: Use AI to help improve your writing or speaking.
Work as a team: Use AI to help your group stay organized and share ideas.
Learn your way: Make study guides or ask AI to explain something in a way that makes sense to you.

Secondary Students

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can significantly enrich learning experiences and foster creativity. To use them effectively, it’s important for you to understand not only their potential but also the need to use them ethically, responsibly, and with purpose. This guidance outlines Thompson School District’s expectations for your thoughtful and appropriate AI use.

Thoughtful and Safe AI Use

All use of AI tools must comply with Thompson School District’s Student Responsible Use of Technology Policy (JS), the Device Checkout Agreement for secondary students, and follow your teacher’s directions. Approach AI thoughtfully—consider both its benefits and its limits. If you’re unsure whether a use is appropriate, seek guidance from a trusted adult, like your teacher.

Use AI Tools Wisely

Use only AI tools approved or provided by Thompson School District. Not all AI tools are appropriate for all ages, so before using any tool and to protect your privacy, ask yourself:

Is this tool safe and trustworthy?
Is this tool meant for students or school use?
Is this tool right for this task?

Be Honest and Transparent

AI can support your learning, but it shouldn’t do the work for you.

Always follow your teacher’s directions about how and when you use AI.
If you use AI, be honest about how it helped you, and cite your use. Presenting AI-generated work as your own undermines academic integrity, while honesty builds trust. Brown University Library offers a guide to help you cite AI use.

Keep Your Thinking Front and Center

You’re in charge of your learning. AI tools can provide useful information, but they may also make mistakes or provide unfair or incorrect information.

It’s your responsibility to ensure your work is accurate, clear, and reflects your own understanding and work; use it to support—not replace—your own thinking.
AI tools may generate biases or inaccuracies; always review and think critically about any AI-generated content before submitting it.

Practice Safety and Respect

Use AI in ways that are safe, respectful, and appropriate for school.

To protect your privacy, do not share personal information.
AI should never be used to bully, impersonate, or harm others. Treat everyone with kindness and respect, online and offline.
Respect others’ intellectual property and personal likenesses. Use AI responsibly and thoughtfully, honoring the work and rights of others.

AI As Your Learning Partner

AI tools can help you learn, grow, and build important skills for the world around you. AI tools are most powerful when you stay in charge of your ideas. They can help you brainstorm, solve problems, and express yourself in new ways—but they should never replace your own thinking. By using AI with care and purpose, you build important skills like creativity, critical thinking, and responsibility that will help you grow now and in the future.

Spark Creativity and Thinking

Use AI as a brainstorming partner to think outside the box, ask better questions, and build on your ideas creatively across subjects. For instance, it can suggest new approaches to writing assignments, generate creative prompts, or explore different solutions in math and science, helping you expand your thinking and develop original ideas.

Communicate Effectively

Leverage AI to improve your communication by getting instant translations, practicing conversations, or exploring different ways to express your thoughts. Whether aiming for a formal, casual, kind, or confident tone, AI can assist in refining your writing and speaking to suit different audiences and contexts.

Collaborate and Work as a Team

When working in groups, let AI help organize ideas, keep discussions on track, and ensure everyone’s voice is heard. It acts as a tool for sharing, problem-solving, and enhancing teamwork, making it easier to reach common goals together.

Practice Self-Advocacy and Manage Your Learning

Turn to AI as a thought partner to create study guides, develop questions, and manage assignments. It can support reflection on what you’ve learned and help you discover the learning strategies that work best for you.

AI Guidance for Educators

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the world around us and introducing new opportunities and responsibilities in K–12 education. Within Thompson School District, AI use should reflect our commitment to high-quality teaching and learning, student and staff agency, responsible and ethical use of technology, and the protection of privacy and personal data.

As AI becomes more integrated into educational tools and systems, educators are called to lead the way with discernment and care. Through intentional planning, inclusive practices, and strong professional collaboration, they create a place where students come to thrive. In this new chapter of technological transformation, TSD educators remain central to crafting human-centered learning experiences that cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and authentic student growth.

This guidance outlines expectations and recommendations for TSD educators regarding the ethical, safe, and purposeful use of AI tools.

Use Approved AI Tools When Students or Student Data Are Involved

Staff are encouraged to explore AI tools to support their professional practice, such as drafting communication or generating lesson ideas. When using AI with students or involving student data, it's important to use tools that are listed in TSD’s Digital Tools Catalog. This shared commitment helps protect student privacy and ensures we stay aligned with district policy and legal requirements. If you're unsure whether a tool is appropriate, reach out for support or check the catalog.

Use Pedagogical Judgment When Integrating AI into Learning

AI can enhance instruction when used intentionally. Use your professional judgment to determine if, how, and when AI can support student learning in your content area and grade level. For example, generative AI may be appropriate for brainstorming, revision, or inquiry, depending on the learning objective. It may not be appropriate for assessments of original thinking. Use tools like the AI Assessment Scale or the Stop and Think about AI Use to evaluate classroom uses, and communicate clear expectations to students.

Review and Evaluate AI-Generated Content

AI outputs may be biased, incorrect, or incomplete. Always review and critically assess any AI-generated content before using it in instruction, communication, or decision-making. Do not rely on AI alone to evaluate student work or make instructional decisions. AI-generated outputs should supplement–not replace–your expertise.

Uphold Privacy, Data Security, and Legal Compliance

Protecting student data is essential. Never enter personally identifiable student information (PII) into AI tools that are not explicitly approved for use with such data. Ensure compliance with FERPA, COPPA, and the Colorado Student Data Transparency and Security Act. Review and follow Board Policy JRCB to understand your responsibilities in safeguarding student information.

Additionally, SB24-205, the Colorado Artificial Intelligence Act, advises that the use of AI for making consequential decisions should be avoided.

Model Responsible and Ethical AI Use

Educators set the tone for how AI is perceived and used in the classroom. Model transparency by crediting AI contributions to your work. Set clear boundaries for how students may or may not use AI in your class. Talk openly with students about academic integrity, digital citizenship, and the strengths and limitations of AI. Reinforce that AI is a tool to support learning, not a shortcut around it.

This is a time of dynamic change, and your professional voice matters. Continue to engage in dialogue with colleagues, reflect on student impact, and share your experiences. TSD is committed to supporting you through professional learning, thoughtful implementation, and ongoing collaboration as we navigate the evolving role of AI in education. Together, we can shape a future where technology enhances human potential and every student thrives.

AI Assessment Scale Canva template

Canva AI Stoplight template