The Classroom Newsletter

The Classroom Newsletter: Issue #17

In This Issue:

• Lesson Planning: Inquiry-Based Experiments

• Classroom Management: Guidelines for Test-Taking and Academic Integrity

• Parent Contact: Parent Support at Home

• Burnout Busters: Prioritize Tasks

• Health and Wellness: Cook More Meals at Home

• This Week’s Bonus Prompts: New Teacher & Emergent Bilingual Prompts

• Homeroom Swag: Fun Ugly Colorful Argyle Christmas Sweater Letter & Numbers

• Laughter Lounge: You Need Me To Cover What Class???

• Poll Position: Favorite Movie Genre?

If Your Teacher Bestie Gifted You This Issue And You Want More… CLICK HERE!

Happy Friday Y’all,

We’re roughly one week out from Christmas Break! We can make it. Breathe. You Got this! Make this last week of the school year the best one yet! Finish strong!

Welcome to another issue of The Classroom Newsletter! This week, we’re embracing the power of inquiry, integrity, and intentionality—both in our classrooms and in our personal lives. From fostering curiosity with hands-on experiments to setting clear expectations for test-taking and carving out time for home-cooked meals, this issue is all about aligning our actions with our goals.

As Daniel J. Boorstin wisely said, "Education is learning what you didn’t even know you didn’t know." Let’s embrace this mindset as we explore how our efforts—big and small—can uncover new pathways to growth for our students and ourselves.

Scenario:
Ms. Green, a high school biology teacher, noticed her students were disengaged when reading about the scientific method. To make the concept more engaging, she wanted to plan a hands-on activity where students could investigate and solve a real-world problem.

ChatGPT Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. Create a lesson plan for [subject/topic] that encourages inquiry and investigation through hands-on experiments.

The Benefits Of This Prompt:
Encourages critical thinking: Inquiry-based activities require students to ask questions, develop hypotheses, and evaluate evidence, fostering analytical skills.
Promotes active learning: Hands-on experiments make learning engaging, memorable, and meaningful.
Connects to real-world applications: Students see the relevance of what they’re learning by applying concepts to practical situations.

Scenario:
Mr. Jenkins, a middle school math teacher, found that test days often led to confusion and unnecessary stress for his students. He wanted to establish clear expectations to streamline the process and encourage honesty.

ChatGPT Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. I want to teach my class how to properly take a test. Establish guidelines for test-taking and academic integrity that emphasize honesty, fairness, and test preparation.

The Benefits Of This Prompt:
Promotes ethical behavior: Teaching academic integrity builds a foundation of honesty and respect for others’ work.
Reduces stress: Clear guidelines help students feel prepared and confident during assessments.
Improves test efficiency: Structured expectations ensure a smoother testing process and minimize disruptions.

Scenario:
Ms. Johnson, a second-grade teacher, wanted to involve parents in reinforcing reading skills at home. She needed to provide actionable tips to help them support their child’s learning journey.

ChatGPT Prompt:
Draft a letter to [student's name]’s parents, [parent or guardian name(s)], suggesting ways they can support [his/her] learning at home. Specifically highlight [list specific areas where support is needed], and provide practical tips or resources to help reinforce learning outside of school.

The Benefits Of This Prompt:
Strengthens partnerships: Collaborating with parents creates a team approach to supporting student success.
Provides actionable guidance: Practical tips empower parents to actively contribute to their child’s learning.
Reinforces classroom goals: Consistent support at home enhances skill retention and progress.

Scenario:
Ms. Wright, a high school English teacher, was feeling overwhelmed trying to balance grading essays, planning lessons, and mentoring a new teacher. She needed a system to manage her workload more effectively

ChatGPT Prompt:
Help me develop a system for prioritizing tasks to ensure I focus on the most important ones first. This system should address [list specific time management challenges, e.g., balancing grading with lesson planning, or mentoring a new teacher while needing to create new classroom curriculum].

The Benefits Of This Prompt:
Increases efficiency: Prioritizing tasks ensures you tackle high-impact items first, maximizing productivity.
Reduces stress: A clear plan of action prevents feelings of being overwhelmed by too many responsibilities.
Improves work-life balance: Managing time effectively creates space for personal and professional growth.

Scenario:
Mr. Davis, a middle school PE teacher, wanted to save money and improve his health by cooking at home but found it challenging to plan meals around his busy schedule.

ChatGPT Prompt:
I want to start cooking more meals at home in an effort to get healthy and save money. Can you help me create a plan for [specific types of meals, e.g., quick dinners, healthy lunches] that fit my [schedule, dietary preferences, budget, etc.]?

The Benefits Of This Prompt:
Promotes healthier eating: Home-cooked meals allow for better control over ingredients and portion sizes.
Saves money: Planning meals reduces the reliance on expensive takeout or convenience foods.
Encourages mindfulness: Cooking at home can be a relaxing and rewarding way to unwind after a busy day.

New Teacher Prompt: Create a Safe Environment

Scenario:
Ms. Nguyen, a first-year teacher, wanted to create a classroom environment where students felt secure and respected, especially those struggling with anxiety.

ChatGPT Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. Help me create a classroom environment that feels physically and emotionally safe for all students, with special consideration for [specific student needs if necessary, e.g., students with anxiety, physical impairment, health consideration, etc.].

The Benefits Of This Prompt:
Encourages inclusivity: A safe environment ensures every student feels valued and supported.
Builds trust: Students are more likely to engage and participate when they feel emotionally secure.
Supports academic growth: A positive atmosphere fosters focus and motivation for learning.

Emergent Bilinguals: Cultural Sharing

Scenario:
Mr. Patel, a high school world history teacher, wanted to engage his students by connecting their cultural backgrounds to the curriculum.

ChatGPT Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. Develop an activity that encourages students to share aspects of their culture related to [subject] and connects it with the lesson on [topic].

The Benefits Of This Prompt:
Promotes cultural awareness: Sharing personal experiences enriches the learning environment for all students.
Encourages student voice: Highlighting diverse perspectives builds confidence and engagement.
Deepens understanding: Connecting culture to curriculum makes lessons more meaningful and memorable.

MORE Ugle Sweaters! This week’s bulletin board set is the “Fun Ugly Colorful Argyle Christmas Sweater” Bulletin Board Letters and Numbers Set, featuring festive green, red, and white argyle patterns.
Use these bright and cheerful designs to create a “Countdown to Winter Break” display or a seasonal calendar for important dates. They’re perfect for spreading holiday joy in hallways or classrooms!

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Bottom Line Y’all…

This week’s prompts remind us that education is about discovery—for our students and ourselves. Daniel J. Boorstin’s quote, "Education is learning what you didn’t even know you didn’t know," inspires us to embrace curiosity and creativity as we guide our classrooms (and our students) forward.

From encouraging inquiry with hands-on experiments to creating safe and inclusive spaces, every choice we make contributes to a brighter, more impactful learning environment.

Thank you for your dedication and heart in this work. Teaching is truly a calling. It’s not for the faint at heart and we don’t do it for the money. We do it for those precious moments when we witness a student finally grasp a concept or strategy that they will be able to utilize for the rest of their life.

Share The Classroom Newsletter with a colleague who might need some help and encouragement. Once the Holidays are here, we can take a MUCH NEEDED BREAK and recharge. Until then…Stay Strong!

Also…we invite you to go check us out on TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook! There’s all kinds of teacher stuff (and some fun not teacher stuff) happening on those platforms. We’d love to have you join us.

Teach Forward! Improve Daily! Inspire Always!

Warm regards,
Mitch Fairchild
Founder, The Classroom Newsletter