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The Classroom Newsletter
😄 Teach With Intention, Reflect With Purpose, Smile Along the Way! OH... And Keep Enjoying Your Summer!
Mitch Fairchild
June 13, 2025
In This Issue:
Lesson Planning: Media Literacy
Classroom Management: Establishing a Time-Out or Reflection Area
Parent Communication: Positive Feedback
Burnout Busters: Collaborate with Colleagues
Health and Wellness: Spend Time Reflecting on Your Values
Bonus Prompts: Emergent Bilingual & Teacher Side Hustle
Homeroom Swag: Happy Smiley Face Easy Cut & Print Bulletin Board Set
Laughter Lounge: When You’re On Vacation, And You See…
Poll Position: Which Chore Do You Least Enjoy?
Happy Friday Y’all,
Before we dive in, I just wanted to say, “I hope your Summer is going well.” My prayer is that you are finding amazing ways to enjoy your time off and soak in those relationships that matter most. A quick reminder… it’s OK to think about yourself (your wants, desires, needs) for a bit. You’ve earned it! NOW… on with the show.
We are in a profession built on questions—not just answers. And this week’s quote from Paul Samuelson reminds us of that essential truth:
“Good questions outrank easy answers.”
As teachers, we don’t just fill in blanks, we spark curiosity, challenge thinking, and encourage students to ask better questions. And this same mindset should guide us, too, whether we’re analyzing media, collaborating with colleagues, or reflecting on our personal values. The easy answers may feel comfortable, but it’s the right questions that fuel real growth… for our students and for ourselves.
As you move through this week’s prompts, I challenge you to approach each one with a spirit of inquiry: How can this practice make my classroom stronger? How can it serve my students better? How can it help me grow personally and professionally? The more we model the art of asking good questions, the more we give our students permission to do the same.
Scenario:
Mrs. Paulson was preparing her 11th grade civics class to engage with current events. She used ChatGPT to help her design a media literacy lesson where students analyzed online articles, evaluated sources, and discussed media bias related to political topics.
ChatGPT Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. Design a lesson plan for [subject/topic] that integrates media literacy by analyzing online content related to the topic.
The Benefits Of This Prompt:
Builds critical thinking: Students learn to question and verify online information.
Supports digital citizenship: Encourages responsible online behavior.
Engages real-world connections: Students apply classroom learning to current events.
Scenario:
Mr. Taylor noticed that some of his 2nd graders were struggling to manage emotions during group activities. He asked ChatGPT to help him create a calming reflection space where students could reset and reflect.
ChatGPT Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. Help me set up a time-out or reflection area in my classroom where students can go to calm down, reflect on their behavior, and make better choices in the future.
The Benefits Of This Prompt:
Promotes emotional regulation: Gives students tools to manage feelings productively.
Reduces disruptions: Supports smoother classroom flow.
Teaches accountability: Encourages ownership of behavior and choices.
Scenario:
Ms. Ramos wanted to celebrate the hard work of one of her 6th grade students who had shown great growth in writing and leadership. She used ChatGPT to draft a warm letter to the student’s parents highlighting these achievements.
ChatGPT Prompt:
Draft a letter to [student's name]’s parents, [parent or guardian name(s)], to share positive feedback. Highlight [list specific achievements or behaviors that demonstrate his/her progress in class], and express appreciation for [his/her] efforts.
The Benefits Of This Prompt:
Strengthens home-school connection: Builds trust and rapport with families.
Motivates students: Positive feedback reinforces desired behaviors and achievements.
Creates a positive culture: Celebrates progress and fosters a growth mindset.
Scenario:
Coach Smith was feeling isolated as he prepared lessons for a new grade level. He used ChatGPT to brainstorm collaboration ideas and set up a plan for sharing resources with other teachers in his department.
ChatGPT Prompt:
Help me find ways to collaborate effectively with colleagues to share ideas and resources. This collaboration should focus on [list specific areas, e.g., lesson planning, classroom management, personal/professional goals, etc.].
The Benefits Of This Prompt:
Reduces isolation: Creates a network of support among colleagues.
Fosters creativity: New ideas emerge from shared brainstorming.
Builds efficiency: Saves time by pooling resources and best practices.
Scenario:
Mrs. Lee wanted to use her summer break to reconnect with her personal values and spiritual beliefs. She asked ChatGPT for strategies to help her reflect deeply and intentionally.
ChatGPT Prompt:
I want to spend more time reflecting on my values and beliefs. Suggest strategies or practices for deepening my understanding and alignment with my [personal values, spiritual beliefs, etc.].
The Benefits Of This Prompt:
Fosters alignment: Helps teachers ensure actions match core values.
Promotes well-being: Reflection supports emotional and spiritual health.
Inspires intentional living: Encourages mindful decisions in both personal and professional life.
Emergent Bilingual Prompt: Chunking Text
Scenario:
Ms. Silva wanted to help her bilingual students navigate a complex science article. She asked ChatGPT to generate a plan for breaking the text into manageable chunks with summaries.
ChatGPT Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. Provide a plan for chunking the text of [specific reading material] into smaller sections with summaries to aid my Emergent Bilingual students' understanding.
The Benefits Of This Prompt:
Improves comprehension: Breaks content into digestible parts.
Supports language development: Builds vocabulary and understanding.
Builds confidence: Helps students feel more capable and engaged.
Teacher Side Hustle Prompts: Freelance Editor
Scenario:
Mr. Washington, an English teacher, wanted to leverage his editing skills by starting a freelance business focused on academic papers. He used ChatGPT to map out the first steps, workflow, and strategies for scaling.
ChatGPT Prompts:
Start: "I want to start a freelance editing business focused on academic papers. What steps should I take to get my first clients?"
Build: "How can I set up an efficient workflow for editing academic content and ensure high client satisfaction?"
Grow: "What strategies can I use to scale my freelance editing business, including hiring subcontractors or expanding services?"
The Benefits Of These Prompts:
Creates additional income: Monetizes existing expertise.
Builds professional reputation: Positions teacher as a trusted editor.
Enhances personal growth: Expands entrepreneurial skills and business acumen.
Brighten your classroom with pure joy! The Happy Smiley Face Easy Cut and Print Bulletin Board Letters and Numbers Set features vibrant, cheerful smiley emojis on each letter, number, and special character—perfect for spreading positivity.
Perfect Uses Include:
“Smiling Into Summer” hallway displays
Positive behavior recognition boards
First-day-of-school or meet-the-teacher events
Staff lounge décor to boost morale
Smiles are contagious—use this set to help yours spread!
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Which chore do you least enjoy? |
Bottom Line Y’all…
“Good questions outrank easy answers.” If we take that to heart, we’ll transform the way we teach—and the way we live. It’s not about having all the answers, but about creating a culture where curiosity thrives. The best classrooms aren’t built on certainty; they’re built on exploration, discovery, and reflection.
So this summer, ask yourself: How can I build a more reflective space for my students? How can I collaborate more intentionally with my colleagues? How can I align my values with my practice? The questions we ask today will shape the classrooms, and the lives, we lead tomorrow.
Alright Y’all… Keep learning. Keep asking. And keep leading.
As Always… Teach Forward! Improve Daily! Inspire Always!
Warm regards,
Mitch Fairchild
Founder, The Classroom Newsletter
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