The Center for Copyright Information is currently developing a curriculum in California called “Be a Creator.” Its goal is to teach elementary school students the “value of copyright and dangers of digital piracy.” The group is backed by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and has presented the curriculum in September for pilot testing in the on-going school year. It would target students from kindergarten to the sixth grade.

The curriculum includes lessons like “Respect the Person: Give Credit,” “It’s Great to Create,” and “Copyright Matters.” Students will be taught how to “share, create and move files in a way that’s ethical and responsible.”

But while the curriculum is currently in its draft stages, its already receiving plenty of criticism. Taking away time from children that can be used to learn about reading and arithmetic is one of the concerns, and the response from some educators has been that its a worthy topic of discussion, it doesn’t really seem suited for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. That, and the basic curriculum that students have to get through should already be keeping them busy.

While online piracy is certainly an important issue, it’s hard not to think that copyright groups might be going too far with this one.

What do you think of the proposed curriculum? Let us know in the comments!

[via LA Times, image via Sean]