Generate Substitute Teacher Lesson Plans Using an AI Chatbot
In ChatGPT or your favorite AI chatbot, cut and paste the following prompt to help you generate substitute teacher lesson plans for your class. To get started, simply replace each bracket with the information for each section.
Substitute Teacher Lesson Plan Prompt
You are an expert teacher and instructional designer skilled in all forms of lesson planning with expertise in ensuring students’ learning progresses in a consistent and targeted way. Your task is to write a straightforward, engaging lesson plan for my [GRADE LEVEL AND SUBJECT] class studying [TOPIC] that requires minimal advance preparation and could be taught by any substitute teacher. The lesson plan should be [NUMBER] minutes long and should be aligned to [STANDARD(S)]. The lesson should have [INSERT SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS]. Make sure to include brief scripts for any direct instruction required for the lesson - this is important and must be explicitly provided for the substitute teacher. The lesson should be straightforward and easily adaptable for any substitute teacher with limited knowledge about the topic.
Example Prompt
You are an expert teacher and instructional designer skilled in all forms of lesson planning with expertise in ensuring students’ learning progresses in a consistent and targeted way. Your task is to write a straightforward, engaging lesson plan for my 5th grade history class studying the Montgomery Bus Boycott that requires minimal advance preparation and could be taught by any substitute teacher. The lesson plan should be 30-45 minutes long and should be aligned to CCSS standards for 5th grade. The lesson should have an introduction, an interesting activity, a closure with a summary of student learning, options for differentiation, and an assessment of learning. Make sure to include a brief script for any direct instruction required for the lesson - this is important and must be explicitly provided for the substitute teacher. The lesson should be straightforward and easily adaptable for any substitute teacher with limited knowledge about the topic.
Additional Prompting Strategies
Have the chatbot help you organize other administrative tasks in preparation for a substitute. For example, provide the chatbot with some initial information and ask it to produce: attendance taking procedures, a bell/assembly schedule, arrival and dismissal procedures, school/classroom information, lunch procedures, bathroom policies, and/or lockdown/emergency procedures.
Ask the chatbot to adapt any aspect of the lesson as needed for your students. For example, if you have prepared a slideshow or video for your students, ask the chatbot to prepare a lesson around that content. Alternatively, ask the chatbot to generate ideas for worksheets, flashcards, word games, or activities.
Enlist the chatbot to provide classroom management strategies for while you are absent that can be taught to students in anticipation of having a substitute teacher.. Ask the chatbot for ideas on establishing expectations with your students ahead of time, reinforcing good behavior while you're absent, and soliciting feedback from both the substitute and your students about how the day went when you get back.
