{"product_id":"curious-minds-ahead-workbook-middle-school","title":"Curious Minds Ahead: Digital Citizenship, AI Literacy \u0026 Critical Thinking Student Workbook – Middle School (Grades 6–8)","description":"\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003eWhat Is the Curious Minds Ahead Workbook for Middle School?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCurious Minds Ahead: Exploring Digital Citizenship, AI Literacy and Critical Thinking for Tomorrow’s World\u003c\/em\u003e is a 239-page, full-color student workbook from Future Ready Education for middle school students in grades 6–8 (ages 11–14). It brings together three complete units in one book: Digital Citizenship, AI Literacy and Critical Thinking. Together they build the future-ready skills students need as they get their first phones, accounts and AI tools. Across 16 chapters and 71 hands-on activities, students protect their digital footprint, communicate with courage online, understand how tech grabs their attention, spot misinformation, learn how AI works and where it falls short, use AI safely, and practice asking questions, finding the truth and making wise choices. Each unit has its own pre- and post-assessment, and the AI unit ends with an “AI for Good” capstone project. The workbook builds the durable skills in your district’s \u003cstrong\u003ePortrait of a Graduate\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003eWhy Do Schools and Families Choose Curious Minds Ahead?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree units in one book:\u003c\/strong\u003e a complete Digital Citizenship, AI Literacy and Critical Thinking curriculum in a single workbook\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstantial content:\u003c\/strong\u003e 239 pages, 16 chapters and 71 hands-on activities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes the full AI Literacy course:\u003c\/strong\u003e all 6 chapters of the Middle School AI Literacy Workbook, plus the AI for Good capstone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurable growth:\u003c\/strong\u003e a pre-assessment and post-assessment for every unit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStudent-ready:\u003c\/strong\u003e written directly for middle schoolers, so students can work independently or in groups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLearning by doing:\u003c\/strong\u003e detective challenges, experiments, simulations, role plays, case studies and design challenges\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReal-world and current:\u003c\/strong\u003e digital footprints, password safety, the endless scroll, misinformation, online strangers, AI bias, prompting and AI’s environmental impact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlexible:\u003c\/strong\u003e use it as a full-year course, a semester elective, or unit by unit in advisory\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003eHow Does Curious Minds Ahead Build Portrait of a Graduate Competencies?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThis workbook builds durable, future-ready skills, the transferable abilities students carry into every class, career and community. Its three units connect directly to the competencies schools use to define college, career and life readiness:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritical Thinking \u0026amp; Problem Solving (CT):\u003c\/strong\u003e spotting red flags and misinformation, detecting assumptions and bias, and evaluating AI answers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCitizenship (CIT):\u003c\/strong\u003e digital footprints, online communication, fairness in AI and AI’s environmental impact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePersonal Responsibility \u0026amp; Work Ethic (PRW):\u003c\/strong\u003e protecting accounts, setting digital boundaries and using AI tools safely and honestly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommunication (COM):\u003c\/strong\u003e choosing tone, communicating with courage and writing clear, ethical prompts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAgency (AGY):\u003c\/strong\u003e taking control of attention, screen habits and digital choices\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdaptability (ADP):\u003c\/strong\u003e rewriting unhelpful thoughts, avoiding thinking traps and handling fast-changing tech\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCreativity (CRE):\u003c\/strong\u003e creating smart content, building an AI helper and designing a helpful AI tool\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollaboration (COL):\u003c\/strong\u003e debates, role plays, brainstorms and idea sprints with peers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEmpathy (EMP):\u003c\/strong\u003e looking behind the screen, asking whose voice is missing and understanding how online actions affect others\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCareer Readiness (CAR):\u003c\/strong\u003e building a positive digital self and early AI literacy for tomorrow’s workplaces\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinances (FIN):\u003c\/strong\u003e spotting advertising strategies and understanding how algorithms shape what we see and buy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003eWhat’s Inside the Curious Minds Ahead Workbook?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"5\"\u003eUnit 1: Digital Citizenship (Chapters 1–5)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIncludes a pre-assessment and post-assessment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDigital Identity \u0026amp; Footprints:\u003c\/strong\u003e Footprint or Choice?, The Footprint Domino Effect, Footprint Fact-Finding Mini Research, Real-World Case Study Reflections, Protecting Your Digital Self, The Chain Reaction: When a Weak Password Gets Guessed, Build Your Own Unbreakable Passphrase\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommunication in Digital Spaces:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Disinhibition Mirror, Behind the Screen Scenarios, Tone Debate, Before You Hit Send Checklist Design, Communicating with Courage, Tools for Digital Safety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTech, Attention, and the Brain:\u003c\/strong\u003e What Hooks Your Attention?, The Endless Scroll Spiral, Notification Experiment, The Digital Planning Challenge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInformation Literacy:\u003c\/strong\u003e Red Flag Hunt, Reverse Image Detective, Case Study: The Viral Post Trap, The Algorithm Ripple Effect, Create Smart, Spot the Strategy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNavigating Digital Life:\u003c\/strong\u003e “Before You Post” Scenarios, Digital Boundaries Builder, Good for Me \/ Not Good for Me Content Sort, Future You: Digital Life Edition, Staying Safe When People Aren’t Who They Say They Are\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"5\"\u003eUnit 2: AI Literacy (Chapters 6–11)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIncludes a pre-assessment, a capstone and a post-assessment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col dir=\"ltr\" start=\"6\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnderstanding AI:\u003c\/strong\u003e Teach the AI: You Be the Coder, Rule-Based or Machine Learning?, Predict Like AI, Quick, Draw! Like an AI\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAI: Patterns, Bias \u0026amp; Training Data:\u003c\/strong\u003e Echo Chamber Simulation, Bias Test Simulation, Train the AI: AI for Oceans\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow AI Thinks (and How We Talk About It):\u003c\/strong\u003e Build Your Own Filter Bubble, Can You Make the AI Smarter?, Strategies Lab, Ethical Prompting Challenge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAI in Everyday Life:\u003c\/strong\u003e AI in My Day, Real-Life AI Heroes, Smarter Writing with QuillBot, Create Your Own AI Helper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAI Safety \u0026amp; Responsibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Safety Checklist, Who Should Decide?, Ethical Dilemmas: What Would You Do?, Interland Review Challenge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAI, Energy, and the Environment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heat Map: Where Does AI Live?, Scaling the Impact, Cooling System Showdown, AI for Earth Idea Sprint, Design a Low-Impact AI Tool\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCapstone Project: AI for Good Challenge, Design a Helpful Tool\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"5\"\u003eUnit 3: Critical Thinking (Chapters 12–16)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIncludes a pre-assessment and post-assessment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col dir=\"ltr\" start=\"12\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDigging Deeper with Questions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Curiosity Chain, Assumption Detective, Brainstorm Session, The Question Web\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeeing Bias and Finding the Truth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ad Detective, The Missing Fact Mystery, Headline Showdown, Whose Voice Is Missing?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvoiding Thinking Traps:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thinking Trap Detective, Rewrite the Thought, What’s Missing?, Trap Freeze Tag\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaking Wise Choices:\u003c\/strong\u003e Decision Dice, Healthy vs. Unhealthy Thought Bubbles, Pause Button Role-Play\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReflecting on My Thinking:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reflection Sentence Starters, Comic Strip Reflections, Choice Case Study, Critical Thinking Report Card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003eWho Is the Curious Minds Ahead Workbook For?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMiddle school students in grades 6–8, their teachers and their parents. It’s built for advisory and homeroom programs, digital citizenship and AI literacy courses, critical thinking and life skills electives, media literacy, STEM and technology classes, character education, homeschool and independent learning. It also supports Portrait of a Graduate initiatives and AI literacy requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003eWhat Comes in the Curious Minds Ahead Workbook?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrade level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grades 6–8 (ages 11–14)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paperback student workbook\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 239 pages\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesign:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full color, student-facing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 units, 16 chapters, 71 activities, a pre-assessment and post-assessment for each unit, an AI for Good capstone project and extra resources\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Future Ready Education, an IB Source company\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9781954760851\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"4\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions About the Curious Minds Ahead Workbook\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"5\"\u003eWhat does Curious Minds Ahead cover?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIt covers three complete units: Digital Citizenship (digital footprints, online communication, attention and the brain, information literacy and navigating digital life), AI Literacy (how AI works, bias, prompting, everyday AI, safety and AI’s environmental impact) and Critical Thinking (asking deeper questions, finding the truth, avoiding thinking traps, making wise choices and reflection).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"5\"\u003eWhat grade level is this workbook for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIt is designed for middle school students in grades 6–8, ages 11–14.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"5\"\u003eHow is this different from the AI Literacy Workbook for Middle School?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eCurious Minds Ahead includes all 6 chapters and the capstone from the Middle School AI Literacy Workbook, plus full units on Digital Citizenship and Critical Thinking: 16 chapters and 71 activities in total. Choose it if you want one book that covers all three skill areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"5\"\u003eCan this be used as a full course?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eYes. With 239 pages, 16 chapters and 71 activities, it can support a semester or full-year elective. It also works unit by unit in advisory, homeroom or life skills classes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"5\"\u003eDoes it teach online safety?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eYes. Students build strong passphrases, learn what happens when a weak password is guessed, set digital boundaries, practice “before you post” thinking and learn to stay safe when people online aren’t who they say they are.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"5\"\u003eDoes it help students spot misinformation?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eYes. The Information Literacy chapter (Red Flag Hunt, Reverse Image Detective, The Viral Post Trap) and the Seeing Bias and Finding the Truth chapter (Ad Detective, Headline Showdown) teach students to question what they see online.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"5\"\u003eDoes it include assessments?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eYes. Each of the three units has its own pre-assessment and post-assessment, so you can measure growth in each skill area, which is useful for Portrait of a Graduate reporting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"5\"\u003eIs there a high school version?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eYes. Future Ready Minds is the high school edition, with 18 chapters and 80 activities covering the same three skill areas at a more advanced level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\" aria-level=\"5\"\u003eWhat are future-ready skills?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eFuture-ready skills, also called durable skills, are lasting, transferable abilities like critical thinking, communication, digital literacy and adaptability. Students use them across subjects, careers and life.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Future Ready Education","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43094310191238,"sku":"9781954760851","price":39.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0787\/7841\/files\/Curious_Minds_Ahead_Middle_for_back_cover.jpg?v=1774897333","url":"https:\/\/myibsource.com\/products\/curious-minds-ahead-workbook-middle-school","provider":"IB Source Education","version":"1.0","type":"link"}