Teaching is one of the most prompt-heavy jobs there is. You're constantly generating the same kinds of content — lesson plans, rubrics, quiz questions, parent emails, feedback comments — just with different content each time. That's exactly what AI is built for.
These prompts are written for teachers who actually want to use AI, not just talk about using it. Copy them directly, adjust for your subject and grade level, and start saving real time.
Lesson Plan Prompts
Full lesson plan from a standard:
Create a 50-minute lesson plan for [grade level] students on [topic]. Learning objective: [paste your standard or objective]. Include: a warm-up activity (5 min), direct instruction (15 min), guided practice (15 min), independent or group activity (10 min), and an exit ticket (5 min). Use [any specific pedagogy, e.g., project-based learning / Socratic questioning / UDL principles] where appropriate.
Hook activity generator:
I'm teaching [topic] to [grade level] students. Give me 5 different hook activities to start the lesson — something that will grab attention in the first 2 minutes and make students curious about what's coming. Vary the types: one visual, one question-based, one surprising fact, one short story, one hands-on.
Differentiated instruction — same lesson, three levels:
Take this lesson objective: [paste objective]. Create three versions of the main activity for the same class: one for students who are still developing the foundational skills, one for students at grade level, and one for students who are ready for extension. Each version should be achievable independently and take about the same amount of time.
Substitute teacher plan:
Write a self-contained substitute teacher plan for a [grade level] [subject] class. Topic: [topic]. The sub has no subject expertise. Include: a brief overview for the sub, step-by-step instructions, a student handout, and a suggested schedule for [X] minutes. Everything the sub needs should be on the page.
Rubric and Assessment Prompts
Project rubric:
Create a 4-point rubric for a [type of project] on [topic] for [grade level]. Categories to evaluate: [list 3-5 things you want to assess, e.g., content accuracy, creativity, presentation, use of evidence]. Use clear, student-friendly language for each level. Format as a table.
Quiz question generator:
Write 10 quiz questions on [topic] for [grade level] students. Include: 4 multiple choice, 3 short answer, 2 true/false with a justification prompt, and 1 extended response. Vary the cognitive demand — some recall, some application, at least one analysis question. Include an answer key.
Exit ticket generator:
Write 3 different exit ticket options for a lesson on [topic] for [grade level]. Each should take no more than 3 minutes and reveal whether students understood [specific concept you're checking]. One should be a written response, one a visual/diagram, one a quick self-assessment scale with a follow-up question.
Feedback and Grading Prompts
Written feedback on student work:
I'm a [grade level] [subject] teacher. Here is a student's [essay/lab report/project write-up]: [paste work]. Write specific, actionable feedback in a warm-and-demanding tone. Mention 2 things that are working well (be specific, not generic). Identify the single most important thing they should improve. End with one concrete revision suggestion.
Bulk feedback template for a common error:
Many of my students made the same mistake on this assignment: [describe the error]. Write a feedback comment I can paste to all affected students that: explains what went wrong (without being condescending), shows them the correct approach with a brief example, and encourages them to revise. Keep it under 80 words.
Self-assessment prompt for students:
Write a student self-assessment reflection students should complete before submitting their [project/essay]. Include 4 questions: one asking them to identify their strongest section and why, one asking them to identify what they'd improve with more time, one asking them to rate their effort with evidence, and one open question about what they learned about themselves as a learner during this project.
Parent Communication Prompts
Parent email — concern about a student:
Write a professional, empathetic email to a parent about their child [first name only, no last name]. The concern is: [describe the situation — academic, behavioral, social, etc.]. Tone: warm but honest, not alarming. Include: a specific positive observation about the student, a clear description of the issue, one concrete action I'm taking, and an invitation to discuss. Keep it under 200 words.
Newsletter update / class recap:
Write a brief class newsletter section (150 words) for [subject] class. This week we covered [topics]. Students are currently working on [project/assignment]. One interesting discussion we had was about [topic]. Upcoming: [dates/events]. Tone: friendly, informative, accessible to parents who aren't familiar with the subject.
Response to a frustrated parent email:
Here is a parent email I received: [paste email]. Help me draft a professional, calm response that: acknowledges their concern without being defensive, provides factual context, explains the next step I'm taking, and keeps the door open for dialogue. I want to maintain the relationship even if we disagree.
Differentiation and Accommodation Prompts
Simplified reading passage:
Take this text: [paste passage]. Rewrite it at a [X] grade reading level while preserving all the key information. Keep the same paragraph structure. Do not oversimplify the concepts — just make the language more accessible. Add a short vocabulary box at the bottom defining the 5 most important terms.
English language learner accommodation:
I have ELL students in my [grade level] class. Take this assignment prompt: [paste prompt]. Rewrite it in clearer, simpler English while keeping the same expectations. Add a bilingual vocabulary guide with the 8 most important content words and their definitions in both English and [target language]. Also suggest one visual support I could add.
Extension activity for fast finishers:
My [grade level] students who finish early need a meaningful challenge, not busywork. The current assignment is about [topic]. Design an extension activity that goes deeper — something that requires them to apply, analyze, or create, not just recall more facts. Should take 10-15 minutes and require no additional materials.
IEP and Support Planning Prompts
Accommodation ideas for a specific challenge:
A student in my class struggles with [specific challenge — e.g., processing written instructions, staying on task during independent work, anxiety during assessments]. Suggest 5 practical, low-prep classroom accommodations I can implement immediately. Be specific — not "provide extra time" but how exactly to structure that in my class context.
Writing IEP goal language:
Help me write a measurable IEP goal for a student who currently [describe current performance level] in [skill area]. The goal should include: a clear behavior, a measurable criterion, a timeframe, and conditions under which the behavior will occur. Write 3 versions at different levels of ambition.
Save These Prompts for Later
These prompts work best when they're easy to reach. If you're pulling them from a doc or searching through old chats each time, you're losing the time you were supposed to save.
Promptzy lets you store prompts like these as keyboard shortcuts on your Mac — hit Cmd+Shift+P and search "rubric" or "parent email" and the prompt auto-pastes wherever your cursor is. Worth setting up once.
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