The Classroom Newsletter

The Classroom Newsletter | July 25th, 2025

In This Issue:

• Lesson Planning: Fostering Creativity through Exploration

• Classroom Management: Strategies for Addressing Attention-Seeking Behaviors

• Parent Communication: Classroom Changes

• Burnout Busters: Engage in Creative Activities

• Health & Wellness: Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms

• Bonus Prompts: Teacher Side Hustle & DALL·E Prompt

• Homeroom Swag: Sweet Pink Cupcake Bulletin Board Letters & Numbers

• Laughter Lounge: But Did You Start Your Summer Diet Yet?

• Poll Position: What Type of Weather Do You Enjoy Most?

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

Happy Friday Y’all,

This week’s quote from Nelson Mandela reminds us just how powerful education truly is:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Think about that for a second. Not a policy. Not a platform. Not a trend. But education. And you (yes, YOU) are the one wielding that weapon each and every day. When you walk into your classroom, you carry the power to change a student’s trajectory. Not just with what you teach, but with how you inspire, challenge, and nurture creativity, character, and courage.

This week’s prompts were built with that kind of impact in mind. Whether you’re addressing challenging behaviors with empathy, building a safe space for creativity, or managing your own stress before the school year kicks into high gear, every move you make matters. You’re not just delivering content… you’re building lives.

And hey, as we wrap up July, don’t forget to fill your own cup (or cupcake, in this case 🍰). Teachers need joy too.

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…

Scenario:
Ms. Carter teaches 6th-grade science and wants her students to think outside the box during their Earth Science unit. She uses ChatGPT to create a lesson plan with open-ended questions and hands-on exploration stations that allow students to discover rather than memorize.

ChatGPT Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. Design a lesson plan for [subject/topic] that fosters creativity through open-ended questions and exploration activities.

The Benefits of This Prompt:

• Ignites curiosity: Students engage in learning as a journey, not a checklist.

• Encourages critical thinking: Open-ended tasks require analysis, interpretation, and innovation.

• Inspires ownership: Students gain confidence through self-directed exploration and creative risk-taking.

Scenario:
Coach Lopez notices a few 8th-grade students constantly disrupting class for attention. Rather than react in frustration, he uses ChatGPT to craft respectful, developmentally appropriate strategies that redirect these behaviors and build classroom harmony.

ChatGPT Prompt:
I am a [class subject] teacher and I teach [grade level] students. Help me develop strategies to address attention-seeking behaviors in my classroom in a way that is respectful, supportive, and effective for [grade level] students.

The Benefits of This Prompt:

• Fosters emotional safety: Students learn to seek positive attention in constructive ways.

• Reduces disruptions: Proactive strategies keep the focus on learning.

• Builds stronger relationships: Respectful handling of behaviors reinforces trust between teacher and student.

Scenario:
Mrs. Nguyen is restructuring her 4th-grade classroom for more collaborative learning. She wants to communicate the seating and curriculum adjustments to parents in a way that shows intentionality and care. She turns to ChatGPT to draft a professional and thoughtful letter.

ChatGPT Prompt:
Draft a letter to [student's name]’s parents, [parent or guardian name(s)], to inform them about changes in classroom structure. Explain [briefly describe the nature of the changes and list things such as seating arrangements, group assignments, or curriculum adjustments], and how these changes will benefit [student(s) name(s)] and the class as a whole.

The Benefits of This Prompt:

• Strengthens transparency: Parents stay informed and included in classroom dynamics.

• Builds trust: Clear communication reinforces the partnership between school and home.

• Promotes buy-in: Parents are more likely to support new initiatives when they understand the “why.”

Scenario:
Coach Daniels loves woodworking but hasn’t touched a project in months. With back-to-school stress approaching, he decides to carve out time for creativity. He asks ChatGPT to help him build a weekly schedule that includes personal joy and relaxation.

ChatGPT Prompt:
Help me create a schedule that allows for creative activities that bring me joy and reduce stress. These activities should align with [specific interests, e.g., woodworking, painting, writing, etc.].

The Benefits of This Prompt:

• Recharges your passion: Creative hobbies remind you of who you are beyond the classroom.

• Reduces burnout: Intentional time for joy makes you more resilient during busy seasons.

• Models balance for students: When teachers prioritize self-care, students learn to do the same.

Scenario:
Ms. Ruiz finds herself carrying stress from school into her evenings. She’s tired of poor sleep and anxious thoughts. Using ChatGPT, she develops a tailored plan for managing stress in healthy, sustainable ways.

ChatGPT Prompt:
I need to develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress. Can you suggest strategies or activities that help me manage stress in a healthy way, considering my [lifestyle, stress triggers, etc.]?

The Benefits of This Prompt:

• Promotes mental wellness: Personalized coping skills are more effective and long-lasting.

• Improves sleep and focus: Managing stress helps you rest better and teach better.

• Increases patience and grace: Emotional regulation benefits your classroom culture too.

Teacher Side Hustle Prompt: Graphic Design Business

Scenario:
Mr. Thomas is a creative spirit who designs stunning posters and worksheets. In fact, everyone on campus comes to him for help creating classroom posters. He wants to turn that gift into income. With ChatGPT, he builds a roadmap to start and grow an education-focused graphic design side hustle.

ChatGPT Prompts:

• Start: "I want to start offering graphic design services focused on educational materials. What should my portfolio include?"

• Build: "How can I market my graphic design services to schools, teachers, and educational publishers?"

• Grow: "What are advanced strategies for growing my graphic design business, including collaborating with other designers or agencies?"

The Benefits of These Prompts:

• Creates income opportunities: Turn your teacher talents into revenue.

• Expands your professional identity: Build a brand around your creativity.

• Empowers other educators: Your designs can reach and support countless classrooms.

DALL·E Prompt: Musical Instruments

Scenario:
Mrs. Flores is prepping a visual aid for her 5th-grade music class. She wants students to identify instruments in a marching band. She uses the DALL·E image generator via ChatGPT to create a custom visual to kick off the lesson.

ChatGPT Prompt:
Generate an image of 6 separate musical instruments that you would find in a marching band.

The Benefits of This Prompt:

• Creates custom visuals: Tailored images make lessons more engaging.

• Supports visual learners: Students connect more with imagery than just words.

• Saves prep time: No need to search the web endlessly—get exactly what you need fast.

This week’s bulletin board set is the Sweet Pink Cupcake Easy Print Bulletin Board Letters and Numbers Set! 🍰 Each letter and number (plus special characters!) features a bright pink cupcake with swirls of icing, sprinkles, and a fun fancy font that’s as sweet as your classroom vibes.

Perfect for…

• 🎉 Birthday boards

• 🍬 Candyland classroom themes

• 🧁 Class party announcements

• 💗 Valentine’s Day decor

• 🏆 Reward systems (“You’re a treat!” or “Sweet Work!” bulletin boards)

Whether you're welcoming students back or creating a festive hallway display, these playful prints add sugar, spice, and everything nice.

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Get over 150+ creative letter and number sets, perfect for every season, theme, and occasion.

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Bottom Line Y’all…

At the end of the day, your classroom isn’t just a room with desks and a whiteboard—it’s a launchpad. A studio. A stage. A lab. And a safe space for students to explore who they are and what they’re capable of. As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” That power doesn’t rest in the curriculum… it rests in you.

Whether you’re fostering creativity, addressing behavior with grace, managing stress, or launching a side hustle, you are doing hard work that matters. And when you intentionally lean on tools like ChatGPT, you're not just surviving the chaos… you’re leading with purpose.

Let this be your weekly reminder: You are enough. You are needed. And you have what it takes to build a classroom that’s just as empowering for you as it is for your students.

Let’s make this school year count. Not just for them… but for YOU.

Teach Forward! Improve Daily! Inspire Always!

Warm regards,
Mitch Fairchild
Founder, The Classroom Newsletter

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