AI Helps Murray Elementary First Graders See Their Fairy Tales Come Alive

First graders at Murray Elementary School are turning their fairy tales into visual realities using AI tools, boosting engagement and pride in their writing, educators said.

In Sheryl Ball's classroom, students completed a narrative writing unit focused on characters, settings and sequenced events. They practiced adding details and crafting endings, meeting key first-grade standards.

For publishing, students used AI-supported tools to create images from their stories. The visuals sparked excitement.

"That’s my story! I didn’t know my writing could turn into something like that!" one student said.

Another added, "I want to write another one so I can see how it comes alive again!"

Ball reflected on the project: "Even as their teacher, I was thrilled to see how the visuals matched what students imagined in their writing. It felt like stepping into their stories—and it made all of us even more excited to write and publish."

The approach blended writing instruction with technology, increasing student confidence and ownership.

Next, the class shifts to informational writing in Benchmark Unit 5. Students will describe robots they design, including functions and benefits, then generate AI visuals and build models from household or recycled items.

The hands-on extension aims to reinforce writing while promoting creativity, problem-solving and reuse.

Ball praised her students' growth as writers and creators, noting their ideas have power to inspire and inform.