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The Classroom Newsletter
🦃 Learning Through Reflection: Journals, Joy, Fresh Starts... AND SO MUCH MORE!
Mitch Fairchild
November 21, 2025
In This Issue:
• Lesson Planning: Reflective Journaling
• Classroom Management: Managing Classroom Noise Levels
• Parent Communication: Sibling Issues
• Teacher Health & Wellness: Desk Decluttering
• Bonus Prompts: Classroom Art Prompt & Special Education Prompt
• Homeroom Swag: Fun Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Bulletin Board Letters & Numbers
• Laughter Lounge: Teachers Leaving For Thanksgiving Break Be Like…
• Poll Position: Best Way To Eat A Potato?
Happy Friday Y’all,
First off… HAPPY THANKSGIVING! You (hopefully) have a week off— go and experience all that it has to offer. Enjoy your time with family, friends, a good book, and/or your favorite pet. And feel free to start decorating for Christmas— it’s not too far around the bend. Now, let’s jump into this week’s content!
Musician and composer Michel Legrand once said, “The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.” That humility is what makes great teachers truly great. We live in a profession where every day reveals something new… about our students, our craft, and even ourselves.
Teaching is a constant cycle of learning and reflection. It’s not about having all the answers, it’s about asking better questions, adapting when needed, and embracing growth in the process. When we remain learners ourselves, our students see that curiosity is a lifelong pursuit worth chasing.
This week, as Thanksgiving approaches, take a breath and reflect on how far you’ve come this semester. Let gratitude fuel your growth. Every messy desk, every noisy classroom, every breakthrough moment is part of the journey… and the beauty of it all is that we never stop learning.
Now, let’s look at how we can leverage ChatGPT (or your favorite generative AI platform) to help turn your classroom into an optimal learning environment…
📝 Lesson Planning: Reflective Journaling
Scenario:
Ms. Jenkins teaches 8th-grade ELA and wants to help her students connect literature to their personal experiences. Using ChatGPT, she designs a lesson where students keep reflective journals after reading each chapter, connecting character decisions to their own life lessons.
ChatGPT Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. Develop a lesson plan for [subject/topic] that encourages the use of reflective journaling to promote personal connections with the material.
The Benefits of This Prompt:
• Promotes self-awareness: Students learn to process thoughts & emotions via writing.
• Deepens understanding: Encourages personal connections to academic content.
• Builds writing fluency: Regular journaling enhances communication skills.
Scenario:
Mr. Patel teaches 5th-grade science and notices that lab days can get a little too loud. He uses ChatGPT to create a classroom noise-management plan — including visual noise meters, student roles, and quiet signal routines — to help maintain focus while keeping learning fun.
ChatGPT Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. Help me develop strategies for managing classroom noise levels to ensure a productive learning environment for all [grade level] students.
The Benefits of This Prompt:
• Maintains focus: Helps students understand appropriate noise levels for learning.
• Builds consistency: Establishes clear expectations and routines.
• Improves collaboration: Students work together respectfully and productively.
Scenario:
Mrs. Lopez teaches 3rd grade and has two siblings in her class who often bicker and distract each other. She uses ChatGPT to draft a thoughtful letter to their parents explaining what she’s observed and suggesting strategies for building healthy sibling interactions both at school and at home.
ChatGPT Prompt:
Draft a letter to [student's name]’s parents, [parent or guardian name(s)], addressing issues related to siblings at school. Specifically highlight [list any relevant details about all conflicts or concerns regarding siblings in class or on campus], and suggest strategies for fostering positive sibling relationships within the school environment.
The Benefits of This Prompt:
• Encourages family teamwork: Engages parents in resolving sibling dynamics.
• Promotes empathy: Focuses on growth and understanding rather than blame.
• Improves classroom harmony: Fosters a more positive and focused environment.
Scenario:
Mr. Daniels admits his teacher desk has become a catch-all for papers, pens, snacks, and sticky notes. Using ChatGPT, he designs a step-by-step plan to declutter, categorize, and maintain a clean workspace that supports productivity and peace of mind.
ChatGPT Prompt:
My classroom desk is a mess! Help me create a process for decluttering and organizing my teacher desk so it feels like a calm and productive workspace.
The Benefits of This Prompt:
• Reduces stress: A tidy workspace promotes mental clarity.
• Boosts efficiency: Organization saves time and frustration.
• Inspires calm: A clean environment reflects a clear mind.
🎨 Classroom Art With ChatGPT Prompt: Turkey Day Fun!
Scenario:
Ms. White teaches elementary art and wants to create a fun Thanksgiving-themed coloring page. She uses ChatGPT to generate a cheerful cartoon turkey dressed like a Pilgrim— perfect for a lighthearted pre-break activity.
ChatGPT Prompt:
Generate a cute cartoon style scene of a turkey dressed up like a Pilgrim.
The Benefits of This Prompt:
• Sparks creativity: Students enjoy seasonal art activities.
• Saves time: Ready-to-use visuals simplify prep.
• Builds engagement: Adds festive fun to the classroom.
🧩 SPED Prompt: Peer Communication & Collaboration
Scenario:
Mr. Simmons teaches a special education resource class and wants to strengthen social interaction among his students. Using ChatGPT, he creates group-based games and partner activities that promote communication in a supportive setting.
ChatGPT Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. Create activities that encourage peer communication and collaboration for students with [list specific communication challenge].
The Benefits of This Prompt:
• Promotes inclusion: Builds confidence through structured social opportunities.
• Encourages teamwork: Fosters cooperation and shared success.
• Improves social skills: Helps students develop communication strategies naturally.
This week’s bulletin board set is the Fun Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Bulletin Board Letters And Numbers Set! 🍉🥕 Each letter, number, and symbol features bright, colorful, and adorable fruits and veggies that make your walls pop with positivity.
Perfect for:
• 🥦 Nutrition and health awareness boards
• 🍎 Cafeteria, gym, or wellness areas
• 🌽 Classroom or hallway seasonal displays
• 🍇 “Eat the Rainbow” themes and student projects
Add a little freshness and fun to your classroom decor with this vibrant set!
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Which Is The Best Way To Eat A Potato? |
Bottom Line Y’all…
Michel Legrand’s words remind us that the more we live and teach, the more we realize how much there is left to learn. Reflection, humility, and curiosity keep us moving forward. They’re the roots of growth and gratitude.
This week’s prompts echo that truth. Reflective journaling deepens understanding. Decluttering clears the mind. Managing noise and resolving sibling tension create calmer learning spaces. Every small improvement adds up to a classroom that hums with learning and peace.
So, before you head out for Thanksgiving break, take a moment to breathe, reflect, and reset. Your work matters, and your influence grows with every moment you choose to learn alongside your students.
Teach Forward! Improve Daily! Inspire Always!
Warm regards,
Mitch Fairchild
Founder, The Classroom Newsletter
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