120+ ChatGPT Prompts for Teachers: Save Hours on Lesson Planning (2026)

Teachers spend an average of 7 hours per week on lesson planning and administrative tasks. ChatGPT can dramatically reduce that time while improving the quality of your educational materials. From generating differentiated lesson plans to creating assessments, rubrics, and parent communications, these prompts are designed by educators for real classroom use.

Every prompt in this guide has been tested and refined for practical teaching scenarios. Copy, customize with your subject and grade level, and start saving hours every week.

How to Get the Best Results

Before diving into the prompts, keep these tips in mind:

1. Always specify grade level and subject: “for 8th grade biology” produces much better results than generic prompts
2. Include standards alignment: Mention specific standards (Common Core, NGSS, state standards) when relevant
3. Specify your context: Class size, student needs, available resources, and time constraints
4. Iterate and refine: Use the first output as a starting point, then ask ChatGPT to adjust

Lesson Planning Prompts

Complete Lesson Plans

Create a 50-minute lesson plan for [grade] [subject] on [topic]. Include:
- Learning objectives aligned to [standard]
- Warm-up activity (5 min)
- Direct instruction (15 min)
- Guided practice (15 min)
- Independent practice (10 min)
- Exit ticket (5 min)
- Materials needed
- Differentiation strategies for advanced and struggling learners

Design a week-long unit plan for [grade] [subject] covering [topic]. Each day should build on the previous lesson. Include daily objectives, activities, and a summative assessment for Friday.

Create a project-based learning unit on [topic] for [grade] students lasting [number] weeks. Include the driving question, project milestones, formative check-ins, and a final presentation rubric.

Warm-Up Activities

Generate 10 engaging warm-up activities for [grade] [subject] class on [topic]. Each should take 5 minutes or less and activate prior knowledge. Include a mix of individual, partner, and whole-class activities.

Create a week of "Do Now" journal prompts for [grade] [subject] that connect [current topic] to students' everyday lives. Make them thought-provoking but accessible.

Differentiation

I'm teaching [topic] to [grade] students. My class includes:
- 5 students reading 2 grades below level
- 4 English Language Learners (beginner to intermediate)
- 3 gifted students who finish early
- 2 students with IEPs requiring modified assignments

Create differentiated versions of this assignment: [describe assignment]
Provide modified versions for each group while maintaining the same learning objective.

Create a choice board with 9 activities for [topic] in [grade] [subject]. Include options that address different learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, reading/writing) and different complexity levels (remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, create using Bloom's taxonomy).

Assessment and Rubric Prompts

Test and Quiz Creation

Create a 20-question assessment for [grade] [subject] on [topic] with:
- 10 multiple choice questions (varying difficulty)
- 5 short answer questions
- 2 extended response questions
- 1 application/real-world problem
Include an answer key with point values and explanations for each correct answer.

Write 5 DOK (Depth of Knowledge) Level 3 questions for [grade] [subject] on [topic]. These should require strategic thinking, reasoning, and evidence-based explanations.

Rubrics

Create a 4-point rubric for a [grade] [subject] [assignment type] on [topic]. Include:
- 4 criteria rows (e.g., content knowledge, analysis, communication, presentation)
- Descriptors for each level (Exceeding: 4, Meeting: 3, Approaching: 2, Beginning: 1)
- Student-friendly language
- Space for teacher comments
Format as a table.

Design a single-point rubric for [assignment] that lists criteria in the center column, with columns for "Areas of Strength" and "Areas for Growth" on either side. Focus on [3-4 key skills].

Formative Assessment

Create 10 quick formative assessment strategies I can use during a [grade] [subject] lesson on [topic]. Include both tech-based (Kahoot, Padlet) and non-tech options (exit tickets, hand signals). Each should take under 3 minutes.

Student Feedback Prompts

Write constructive feedback for a [grade] student's [assignment type] on [topic]. The student:
- [strength 1]
- [strength 2]
- [area for improvement 1]
- [area for improvement 2]
Use the "praise-question-suggestion" format. Keep the tone encouraging but specific.

Generate 20 specific praise statements I can use on student work for [subject]. Move beyond "good job" to praise that identifies exactly what the student did well and why it matters. Examples should address effort, strategy, and growth.

Parent Communication Prompts

Write a professional email to parents about [situation: behavior concern / academic progress / upcoming event]. Include:
- Positive opening about the student
- Clear description of the concern/information
- Specific examples
- Proposed next steps or solutions
- Invitation for collaboration
Tone should be warm, professional, and solution-focused.

Draft a weekly class newsletter for [grade] [subject] covering:
- What we learned this week: [topics]
- What's coming next week: [upcoming topics]
- Important dates: [dates]
- How parents can help at home: [suggestions]
- Student spotlight opportunity
Keep it concise (under 300 words) and engaging.

Write a positive phone call script for parents of a student who [specific achievement or improvement]. Include talking points and suggested conversation flow. Keep it under 3 minutes.

Classroom Management Prompts

Create a set of classroom procedures for [specific routine: entering class / group work / transitions / tech use] for [grade] students. Include:
- Step-by-step expectations
- Visual anchor chart text
- Positive reinforcement strategies
- Consequences for not following procedures
- How to teach and practice the procedure in the first week

Design a behavior management system for [grade] class that:
- Uses positive reinforcement primarily
- Includes individual and class-wide incentives
- Has clear, consistent consequences
- Tracks progress visually
- Involves students in goal-setting
- Can be maintained without excessive teacher time

Content Creation Prompts

Worksheets and Activities

Create a vocabulary activity for [grade] [subject] with these 15 terms: [list terms]. Include:
- Matching definitions
- Fill-in-the-blank sentences using context clues
- A word map for 3 key terms (definition, synonym, antonym, picture description, sentence)
- A creative application task

Design a Socratic seminar for [grade] students on [topic/text]. Include:
- 10 open-ended discussion questions (progressing from comprehension to evaluation)
- Student preparation sheet
- Discussion norms
- Self-assessment rubric for participation
- Teacher observation checklist

Reading and Writing

Create a close reading guide for [text title] for [grade] students. Include:
- Pre-reading vocabulary (5 key terms with student-friendly definitions)
- First read questions (comprehension)
- Second read questions (analysis of author's craft)
- Third read questions (evaluation and connection)
- Written response prompt

Generate 10 writing prompts for [grade] students that practice [skill: persuasive writing / narrative / informational]. Include both serious and fun options. Each prompt should include a brief scenario and a clear task.

Math and Science

Create a real-world math problem set for [grade] on [concept: fractions / percentages / algebra]. Include 8 word problems that use contexts students care about (sports, gaming, social media, food, shopping). Provide step-by-step solutions.

Design a lab activity for [grade] science on [topic] that can be completed with common household materials. Include:
- Materials list (under $5 total)
- Safety considerations
- Step-by-step procedure
- Data collection table
- Analysis questions
- Connection to [standard]

Special Education and ELL Prompts

Modify this text for an ELL student at [proficiency level: entering / emerging / transitioning / expanding]:
[paste original text]
Simplify vocabulary, shorten sentences, add visual support descriptions, and include a glossary of key terms with simple definitions.

Create a visual schedule for a student with autism in [grade] class. Include:
- Morning routine (arrival to first class)
- Class period structure with time blocks
- Transition cues
- Sensory break options
- End-of-day routine
Use clear, concise language suitable for a visual support card.

Professional Development Prompts

I'm preparing a 30-minute professional development session for teachers on [topic: differentiation / formative assessment / technology integration / SEL]. Create an agenda that includes:
- Hook activity (5 min)
- Key content presentation (10 min)
- Hands-on practice (10 min)
- Reflection and action planning (5 min)
Include a handout outline and discussion prompts.

Substitute Teacher Prompts

Create emergency sub plans for [grade] [subject] that any substitute can follow. Include:
- Class roster location and seating chart reference
- Step-by-step lesson that requires no prior knowledge of the unit
- Self-contained activity (no special materials needed)
- Early finisher options
- Key student information (allergies, behavior plans — generic template)
- End-of-day procedures
Topic: [a review topic or standalone enrichment activity]

FAQ

Is it ethical to use ChatGPT for teaching?

Yes, when used as a tool to enhance your teaching rather than replace your professional judgment. ChatGPT helps with the time-consuming parts of teaching (formatting, brainstorming, drafting) while you bring the expertise in knowing your students, adjusting for context, and making instructional decisions.

Will ChatGPT-generated content be accurate?

ChatGPT can make factual errors, especially with specific dates, statistics, and recent information. Always review generated content for accuracy before using it with students. Treat it as a first draft that needs your expert review.

Can students tell if I used AI?

The prompts in this guide produce professional, customized content. By adding your personal teaching style, specific student names or references, and contextual details, the materials will feel authentic to your classroom.

How do I handle students using ChatGPT to cheat?

Rather than banning AI, teach students to use it responsibly. Create assignments that require personal reflection, in-class demonstrations of knowledge, and process documentation. Focus on skills AI can’t replicate: critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity with personal voice.

What about student data privacy?

Never input student names, identifying information, IEP details, or personal data into ChatGPT. Use generic descriptions like “a 7th grader reading below grade level” instead of specific student information.

Conclusion

These prompts are starting points — the real magic happens when you customize them for your specific classroom context. Start with the category most relevant to your immediate needs, whether that’s lesson planning, assessment creation, or parent communication.

The most effective approach is to generate a first draft with ChatGPT, then refine it with your professional knowledge of your students, curriculum, and teaching context. Over time, you’ll develop a library of customized prompts that save you hours every week while improving the quality of your teaching materials.