AI Prompts for Teachers: A Practical, Responsible Guide

AI tools are becoming part of everyday teaching, and if you’re reading this, you’ve probably already tried one. In fact, over 70 percent of Indian teachers are now using AI tools in classrooms. Around 60 percent of them mainly use it for lesson planning, according to a July 2025 CENTA survey shared by India Today. With the right prompts, these tools can help you create worksheets, build presentations, simplify complex topics, and even suggest creative activities. But it all depends on how you ask. In this blog, we’ll take a look at different types of AI prompts you can use in a responsible, practical way to save time and boost your teaching. Let’s get started.

What Are AI Prompts in Education?

AI prompts in education are simply the instructions or questions you give to an AI tool like ChatGPT to help it generate exactly what you need. These prompts guide the AI to create things like lesson plans, quiz questions, classroom activities, or even explanations for tricky concepts. You can use them to save prep time, personalise learning, or give students a new way to explore topics. A well-written prompt helps the AI understand your role, your goal, and the kind of response you are expecting.

For example, instead of just typing “photosynthesis explanation,” you could write: “Act as a 6th-grade science teacher and explain photosynthesis in simple terms using a food analogy.” That one small tweak helps the AI give you a result that fits your class and saves you time tweaking the answer later.

Key Components of an AI Prompt for Teachers

Here are the key components of an AI prompt that’s meant for teachers:

1. Role or Persona

   Start by telling the AI who it should act like. This sets the tone and level of the response. You can say things like “Act as a high school maths teacher” or “Pretend you are a curriculum designer.” This helps the AI know how to shape its reply. It works especially well when you want the answer to sound like it’s coming from an expert or written for a specific age group.

2. Task or Objective

   Be clear about what you want the AI to do. Do you want it to write a quiz? Summarise a chapter? Create a science experiment idea? Saying this up front avoids confusion and gives you a much more useful response. For example, you could say, “Create a multiple-choice quiz on plant cells for grade 8 students.”

3. Context

   Add a little background to help the AI understand the situation. This could include the subject, student level, or what was taught earlier. The more specific you are, the better the results. For example, “Students have already learned the basics of food chains, and now we are moving to food webs.” This lets the AI build on what your class already knows.

4. Instructions or Details

   If you have preferences, say them clearly. You might want the content to be written in simple language, follow CBSE guidelines, or focus on hands-on learning. You can also include limits like “Keep it under 200 words” or “Use bullet points.” These little details help the AI deliver exactly what works best for your class.

5. Format or Style

   Let the AI know how you want the output to look. Do you need a bulleted list, a paragraph, a table, or a script for classroom discussion? Mentioning the format early on keeps the response structured and saves you time later. For example, “Give me a table comparing mitosis and meiosis for grade 10 biology.”

6. Samples and Examples

   If you already have a sample or something similar to what you want, include it in your prompt. This gives the AI a model to follow. You can say, “Use a similar tone to this passage,” or “Follow the structure of this quiz.” This is useful when you are trying to match the content style used in your school or textbook.

7. Reference Materials

   You can also point the AI to specific materials like textbook chapters, curriculum outlines, or web content. While the AI cannot browse the internet in real time, you can paste small bits of content or mention what standards you are following. For example, “Use NCERT Class 6 History Chapter 3 as the reference.”

Best AI Prompts for Teachers by Task

Let’s break down some of the best AI prompts teachers can use based on their task:

1. 1. Lesson Planning

      Planning a lesson from scratch can take up a lot of time. AI tools help speed things up by turning your topic, grade level, and learning goals into a full lesson plan in seconds. Whether you need a single-day activity or a week-long unit, the right prompt can make the process easier.

      Try prompts like:

      • “Create a 3-day lesson plan on photosynthesis for 6th grade, including objectives and key vocabulary.”
      • “Give me a hook for a Grade 8 lesson on the Civil War.”
      • “Design a slide deck outline for teaching area and perimeter to Grade 5 students.”
      • “Write learning objectives for a high school unit on persuasive writing.”

      Extra Intelligence by Extramarks includes a Teacher Content Enhancer that gives you AI-generated lesson plans, hooks, and slide outlines within seconds. Instead of typing long prompts, you simply select your subject and grade. It does the rest, saving you tons of planning time without losing your personal teaching style.
      

   2. Assessment & Quizzes

      Creating meaningful assessments with a good balance of difficulty and clarity can be tiring. AI prompts can help you generate question banks with answer keys, explanations, and even rubrics for grading.

      Try prompts like:

      • “Create 5 MCQs with answer keys and rationales on the causes of World War I for Grade 10.”
      • “Make a true/false quiz on the water cycle with answers and explanations.”
      • “Design a formative quiz on fractions for Grade 4 with feedback after each question.”
      • “Write a quick exit ticket for a science lesson on ecosystems.”

      With Extra Intelligence’s AI Assessment Enhancer, you can auto-generate formative and summative assessments that match your learning objectives. The Practice Together feature lets students answer AI-generated questions in class or at home, and it gives you real-time data on their understanding. You can even adjust difficulty levels or generate instant answer rationales to make grading faster.

   3. Differentiation & Support

      Personalising tasks for students with different needs can take hours. AI can help you build quick variations without redoing everything from scratch.

      Try prompts like:

      • “Create tiered reading comprehension tasks on climate change for Grades 6, 8, and 10.”
      • “Simplify this math word problem for an English language learner.”
      • “Give enrichment activities for students who finish early during a unit on decimals.”
      • “List scaffolded writing tasks for a mixed-ability Grade 7 class on argumentative essays.”

      These kinds of prompts help you build scaffolding and extension activities in a few clicks. The tiered structure keeps everyone working at their level while staying connected to the same lesson.

   4. Feedback & Grading

      Writing personalised feedback can get repetitive. AI tools can give you a head start without making the comments sound robotic.

      Try prompts like:

      • “Give me a feedback comment for a student who did well on a persuasive essay but needs to improve on transitions.”
      • “Write a kind but firm comment for a student who rushed through a math quiz and made careless errors.”
      • “Make a grading rubric for a Grade 7 science project on pollution with criteria for creativity, research, and presentation.”
      • “Show me an exemplar response to a reading comprehension prompt based on ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’.”

      These prompts help you reduce grading stress while still keeping your feedback specific and meaningful.

   5. Parent Communication

      Reaching out to parents takes care and clarity. Whether you’re sending a newsletter, an update, or addressing a concern, AI can help you write messages that are respectful, informative, and easy to understand.

      Try prompts like:

      • “Write a short weekly newsletter update for parents of Grade 2 students.”
      • “Draft a message to a parent about a student’s missing homework.”
      • “Write a sensitive message informing a parent about a student’s repeated late arrivals.”
      • “Create a thank-you note to parents after a successful school field trip.”

      You can also ask for messages in multiple languages or adjust the reading level so parents with varied literacy levels can understand the updates easily.

   6. Classroom Management

      When it comes to setting routines or managing behaviour, having clear scripts helps. AI can offer wording that keeps things consistent and respectful.

      Try prompts like:

      • “Write a classroom expectations script for the first day of school for Grade 6 students.
      • “Help me create a positive reinforcement plan for students who follow class routines.
      • “Draft a restorative conversation script for a student who disrupted a group activity.

      You can also get visual reminders or routines turned into short poems, rhymes, or posters depending on your classroom age group.

   7. SEL & Special Education

      Supporting students with emotional or special learning needs is important, and AI can offer quick strategies you can adjust and personalise.

      Try prompts like:

      • “Suggest three calming strategies for a student who gets overwhelmed during transitions.
      • “Create visual schedules for a Grade 3 student with autism.
      • “List accommodations for a student with ADHD during assessments.
      • “Write a few journal prompts to support emotional regulation in middle school students.

      You can even ask for scripts that help build empathy among students or classroom activities that build trust and community.

   8. AI-Resistant and Higher-Order Thinking Assignments

      To encourage deeper thinking and reduce overreliance on AI for completing tasks, try designing assignments that ask for personal input, research, or collaboration. Prompts here help you go beyond simple questions.

      Try prompts like:

      • “Design a debate prompt for high school students on whether social media should be regulated in schools.”
      • “Create an inquiry-based project for Grade 5 on local water sources.”
      • “Write a task that asks students to compare two novels and present their own interpretation.”
      • “Generate a classroom discussion question that has no clear right answer but encourages critical thinking.”

      These types of tasks are harder to fake and build genuine engagement.

   How to Write Effective Prompts (Step-by-Step)

   Writing a good prompt can make a huge difference in the quality of responses you get from any AI tool. If your prompt is unclear or too vague, the results may feel off or incomplete. But when your prompt is focused and detailed, the AI understands what you want and gives you something useful, often on the first try. Here’s a step-by-step way to improve your prompts, whether you’re creating content, planning lessons, or designing assessments.

   Step 1: Set the Role and Audience

   Start by clearly telling the AI who it should act as and who the response is meant for. This gives the tool a clear direction and tone. For example, you might say, “Act as a curriculum designer for Grade 6 students.” This sets the level, the expertise, and the tone for the response. You can also name the audience, like “Write this for busy teachers,” or “Make it understandable for parents of young children.” The more specific you are here, the better the output will fit your needs.

   Step 2: Specify Context, Standards, Timing, and Constraints

   Next, give enough background. Tell the AI what the topic is, what standards or guidelines you want it to follow, and how long the output should be. For example, if you want a lesson plan based on NEP 2020 guidelines, say that clearly. If it should fit in a 40-minute period or follow CBSE standards, include that too. Also mention any limits, like “Keep the response under 200 words” or “Avoid technical terms.” These small details help the AI stay focused and relevant.

   Step 3: Provide Examples or Few-Shot Samples to Model Quality

   If you have a certain format or quality in mind, give an example. You can paste a short sample and say, “Write something in this style.” This helps the AI pick up your tone, structure, and voice. If you do not have an example, try describing what you want in plain words. For example, say, “Use simple language that sounds human and avoids buzzwords.” You can also give multiple examples and ask the AI to follow the same pattern.

   Step 4: Iterate: Ask for Variations, Improve Clarity, and Verify Sources

   Your first output may not be perfect, and that’s fine. You can improve it by asking for a few changes. Try things like, “Give me a shorter version,” “Make this sound more natural,” or “Rewrite this for a high school student.” If something feels off, ask follow-up questions to clarify the idea. Also, if the topic involves facts or data, always double-check the information. Ask the AI to list sources or point out where its facts are coming from, especially if accuracy is important.

   Step 5: Add Safety Checks: Bias, Accuracy, and Age-Appropriateness

   Before using or sharing the content, review it with a safety lens. Look for anything that might be biased, factually incorrect, or too advanced for the target age group. If you’re writing for students, make sure the language and examples are age-appropriate. You can ask the AI directly, “Is this suitable for Grade 5?” or “Check this for gender neutrality and cultural sensitivity.” These safety checks help ensure your content is both useful and responsible.

   Closing Thoughts

   AI prompts can be a real support in your daily teaching when they are used with clarity and care. They help you save time, reduce workload, and focus more on students rather than prep work. The real value comes from asking the right questions and staying mindful of accuracy and student needs. When used responsibly, AI becomes a helpful assistant that works with your teaching style, not a replacement for it.

   Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

   How do I write ChatGPT prompts that match a specific grade and standard?

   Start by being as specific as you can. Mention the grade level, the subject, and the topic. For example, instead of saying “Explain photosynthesis,” try “Explain photosynthesis for a Grade 6 student using simple words and one diagram.” You can also mention the learning outcome or the curriculum standard you’re aiming for. The clearer your prompt, the more useful the response will be.

   How can I create assignments that are AI-resistant but still build critical thinking?

   One way is to move beyond basic fact recall. Ask students to reflect, compare, or apply what they’ve learned in personal ways. You can give them real-world scenarios, ask them to solve open-ended problems, or connect ideas across topics. When the task needs personal input or original thinking, AI tools have a harder time giving full answers. You can also ask students to show their process, not just the final result.

   What prompt formula gives the most reliable results?

   A good rule is: Role + Task + Details. For example, “You are a Grade 8 science teacher. Create a lesson plan on the water cycle with activities, one worksheet, and 3 quiz questions.” This kind of structure helps the AI understand what you want, how it should respond, and the tone or role it should take. You can tweak the details based on what you need.

   Which AI tool is safe for school-wide use?

   If you’re looking for a safe, school-friendly AI tool, take a look at Extra Intelligence by Extramarks. It’s designed for Indian classrooms and follows strict safety and data privacy standards. Teachers can use it to create lesson plans, question papers, and classroom activities without worrying about student data being misused. It’s built with schools in mind, not just general users, so the tools are more aligned with what you actually need in class.

   How do I get better at prompting without wasting too much time?

   Practice in small steps. Start with simple tasks like generating a worksheet or rewriting a paragraph. Each time, tweak your prompt just a little and see what changes. Over time, you’ll notice what kind of instructions give you better results. You can also save good prompts and reuse them with small edits. This builds your own prompt library so you don’t start from scratch every time.

Prachi Singh

Prachi Singh is a highly accomplished educationist with over 16 years of experience in the EdTech industry. Currently, she plays a pivotal role at Extramarks, leading content strategy and curriculum development initiatives that shape the future of education...Read More