If you're looking for AI prompts to structure your lesson plans, copy and adapt these templates and examples. You can use them with any AI chatbot.
Date Published:
May 22, 2025
If you’ve wondered how to use AI to design your lesson plans, this post can be your starting point.
You probably already have your own approach to lesson planning. The good thing is, you don’t need to change it for any AI chatbots. However, you have to provide context through prompting. The more specific your prompts are, the better outputs you’ll get.
How specific? That’s what you’ll learn here.
We’ve curated a number of AI prompts based on some real-world use cases. They will help you with the following components of lesson planning:
For your convenience, we’ve included the templates. So copy and customize them however you want, regardless of the AI chatbot of your choice.
You are an expert science curriculum designer. Create a detailed and age-appropriate lesson plan using the 5E instructional model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate).
Context:
- Grade level: [grade level]
- Topic: [science topic]
- Lesson duration: [duration]
- Prior knowledge students are expected to have: [prior knowledge]
- Learning environment: [classroom context, e.g., lab setting, large class, remote learning]
- Standards to align with (optional): [standards]
Include the following sections:
1. Lesson Title
2. Learning Objectives (2–4 SMART objectives)
3. Materials Needed
4. Step-by-step plan for each 5E phase:
- Engage: A short activity or question to spark curiosity
- Explore: A hands-on or inquiry-based activity that encourages investigation
- Explain: Concepts, vocabulary, and teacher-led instruction
- Elaborate: Application or extension task (can be cross-curricular or real-world based)
- Evaluate: Specific formative or summative assessments (quizzes, rubrics, exit tickets, etc.)
5. Differentiation Strategies for diverse learners (e.g., ELLs, students with IEPs, advanced learners)
6. Optional Homework or Take-home Task
7. Teaching Tips for effective delivery
Format your response clearly using bullet points or short paragraphs. Use language appropriate for the grade level.
You are an expert science curriculum designer. Create a detailed and age-appropriate lesson plan using the 5E instructional model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate).
Context:
- Grade level: Grade 6
- Topic: Photosynthesis
- Lesson duration: 45 minutes
- Prior knowledge students are expected to have: Students should know basic plant parts and understand that plants need sunlight and water to grow
- Learning environment: General science classroom with projector and group seating
- Standards to align with (optional): NGSS MS-LS1-6
Include the following sections:
1. Lesson Title
2. Learning Objectives (2–4 SMART objectives)
3. Materials Needed
4. Step-by-step plan for each 5E phase:
- Engage: A short activity or question to spark curiosity
- Explore: A hands-on or inquiry-based activity that encourages investigation
- Explain: Concepts, vocabulary, and teacher-led instruction
- Elaborate: Application or extension task (can be cross-curricular or real-world based)
- Evaluate: Specific formative or summative assessments (quizzes, rubrics, exit tickets, etc.)
5. Differentiation Strategies for diverse learners (e.g., ELLs, students with IEPs, advanced learners)
6. Optional Homework or Take-home Task
7. Teaching Tips for effective delivery
Format your response clearly using bullet points or short paragraphs. Use language appropriate for the grade level.
You are a curriculum planner. Create a 5-day weekly unit plan for a [subject] class, designed for [grade level] students. The unit should be aligned to the following Common Core standard(s): [insert standard codes or descriptions].
Context:
- Unit topic: [topic or theme]
- Total lesson time per day: [time in minutes]
- Learning environment: [brief description of class setup, tech access, etc.]
- Prior knowledge students are expected to have: [briefly describe]
Include:
1. Unit Title
2. Standards Addressed
3. Learning Objectives for the week
4. Daily Breakdown (Day 1 to Day 5), with for each day:
- Focus/Goal of the day
- Activities and instructional methods
- Materials needed
- Assessment methods or checks for understanding
5. Differentiation strategies for varying learning needs
6. Optional homework or extension tasks
7. Teaching tips or notes
Format clearly using bullet points or numbered sections. Keep grade-appropriate language.
You are a curriculum planner. Create a 5-day weekly unit plan for a [subject] class, designed for [grade level] students. The unit should be aligned to the following Common Core standard(s): [insert standard codes or descriptions].
Context:
- Unit topic: [topic or theme]
- Total lesson time per day: [time in minutes]
- Learning environment: [brief description of class setup, tech access, etc.]
- Prior knowledge students are expected to have: [briefly describe]
Include:
1. Unit Title
2. Standards Addressed
3. Learning Objectives for the week
4. Daily Breakdown (Day 1 to Day 5), with for each day:
- Focus/Goal of the day
- Activities and instructional methods
- Materials needed
- Assessment methods or checks for understanding
5. Differentiation strategies for varying learning needs
6. Optional homework or extension tasks
7. Teaching tips or notes
Format clearly using bullet points or numbered sections. Keep grade-appropriate language.
You are a curriculum expert. Draft a detailed syllabus for a middle school [grade level] science course. The syllabus should be organised by units or weeks and include:
- Course Title
- Grade Level
- Duration of the course (e.g. one semester or full year)
- Number of units: [number of units]
- Standards alignment (optional): [mention relevant standards like NGSS or state-specific standards]
- Key themes or strands to cover: [e.g. Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science]
For each unit, include:
1. Unit Title
2. Duration (e.g. number of weeks)
3. Essential Questions
4. 2–4 Learning Objectives (clearly written, age-appropriate)
5. Summary of topics or subtopics
6. Materials or resources required
7. Assessment types (e.g. quiz, lab report, project)
Structure the output in a clean and skimmable format, using bullet points or numbered lists where appropriate. Language should be clear and suitable for teacher planning documents.
You are a curriculum expert. Draft a detailed syllabus for a middle school Grade 7 science course. The syllabus should be organised by units and include:
- Course Title: Introduction to General Science
- Grade Level: Grade 7
- Duration of the course: Full academic year
- Number of units: 6
- Standards alignment (optional): NGSS-aligned
- Key themes or strands to cover: Life Science, Physical Science, Earth & Space Science
For each unit, include:
1. Unit Title
2. Duration (e.g. number of weeks)
3. Essential Questions
4. 2–4 Learning Objectives (clearly written, age-appropriate)
5. Summary of topics or subtopics
6. Materials or resources required
7. Assessment types (e.g. quiz, lab report, project)
Structure the output in a clean and skimmable format, using bullet points or numbered lists where appropriate. Language should be clear and suitable for teacher planning documents.
You are a project-based learning (PBL) specialist. Design a complete high school PBL unit on the topic “[project theme]” for a [subject] class in [grade level].
Context:
- Duration: [total duration in weeks or days]
- Curriculum alignment (optional): [relevant standards or learning outcomes]
- Real-world connection or driving question: [describe]
- Learning environment: [brief description, e.g. classroom with tech access, collaborative seating]
The unit should include:
1. Unit Title
2. Driving Question
3. Grade Level and Subject
4. Duration
5. Learning Objectives (3–5 clear, standards-aligned goals)
6. Project Overview (student task, final product, and audience)
7. Weekly Breakdown or Milestones
8. Resources and Tools Needed
9. Assessment Plan (formative + final product rubrics or criteria)
10. Differentiation Strategies
11. Optional Reflection and Peer Feedback Activities
Format in bullet points or short paragraphs. Keep it clear, actionable, and ready to implement.
You are a project-based learning (PBL) specialist. Design a complete high school PBL unit on the topic “Designing a Sustainable School Garden” for a Biology class in Grade 10.
Context:
- Duration: 4 weeks
- Curriculum alignment (optional): NGSS HS-LS2-7 (Design a solution to reduce the impact of human activity on the environment)
- Real-world connection or driving question: How can students design a sustainable garden that promotes biodiversity and benefits the school community?
- Learning environment: Science lab and school courtyard with outdoor access
The unit should include:
1. Unit Title
2. Driving Question
3. Grade Level and Subject
4. Duration
5. Learning Objectives (3–5 clear, standards-aligned goals)
6. Project Overview (student task, final product, and audience)
7. Weekly Breakdown or Milestones
8. Resources and Tools Needed
9. Assessment Plan (formative + final product rubrics or criteria)
10. Differentiation Strategies
11. Optional Reflection and Peer Feedback Activities
Format in bullet points or short paragraphs. Keep it clear, actionable, and ready to implement.
You are a helpful teaching assistant. Generate an instant substitute teacher plan for a [subject] class in [grade level]. The topic is “[lesson topic]” and the lesson duration is [duration].
Include:
1. Lesson Title
2. Grade Level and Subject
3. Learning Objectives (1–3)
4. Materials Needed (keep minimal or printable if possible)
5. Step-by-step lesson plan:
- Warm-up or Bell Ringer
- Main Activity (can be reading, discussion, worksheet, or creative task)
- Wrap-up or Exit Ticket
6. Optional Backup Activities (for early finishers or if time remains)
7. Notes for the substitute teacher (e.g. seating plan, tech access, where to leave completed work)
Keep everything simple, clear, and flexible. Avoid tasks that require specialized content knowledge or heavy classroom management.
You are a helpful teaching assistant. Generate an instant substitute teacher plan for an English Language Arts class in Grade 8. The topic is “Identifying Themes in Fiction” and the lesson duration is 50 minutes.
Include:
1. Lesson Title
2. Grade Level and Subject
3. Learning Objectives (1–3)
4. Materials Needed (keep minimal or printable if possible)
5. Step-by-step lesson plan:
- Warm-up or Bell Ringer
- Main Activity (can be reading, discussion, worksheet, or creative task)
- Wrap-up or Exit Ticket
6. Optional Backup Activities (for early finishers or if time remains)
7. Notes for the substitute teacher (e.g. seating plan, tech access, where to leave completed work)
Keep everything simple, clear, and flexible. Avoid tasks that require specialized content knowledge or heavy classroom management.
You are an experienced SEL coach. Design a complete social-emotional learning (SEL) lesson for a middle school advisory period.
Context:
- Grade level: [grade level]
- SEL competency: [e.g. self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision-making]
- Topic or theme: [e.g. managing emotions, empathy, peer conflict, goal-setting]
- Duration: [duration in minutes]
- Learning environment: [e.g. small group, whole class, circle time]
Include:
1. Lesson Title
2. SEL Competency Focus
3. Learning Objectives (2–3 student-friendly “I can” statements)
4. Warm-Up or Mindful Moment
5. Core Activity (discussion, roleplay, journaling, etc.)
6. Debrief and Discussion Prompts
7. Optional Extension or Take-home Challenge
8. Materials Needed
9. Notes or tips for the teacher or advisor
Keep the language friendly and age-appropriate. Structure your response with headings or bullet points.
You are an experienced SEL coach. Design a complete social-emotional learning (SEL) lesson for a middle school advisory period.
Context:
- Grade level: Grade 7
- SEL competency: Relationship Skills
- Topic or theme: Navigating Peer Conflict
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Learning environment: Small advisory group seated in a circle
Include:
1. Lesson Title
2. SEL Competency Focus
3. Learning Objectives (2–3 student-friendly “I can” statements)
4. Warm-Up or Mindful Moment
5. Core Activity (discussion, roleplay, journaling, etc.)
6. Debrief and Discussion Prompts
7. Optional Extension or Take-home Challenge
8. Materials Needed
9. Notes or tips for the teacher or advisor
Keep the language friendly and age-appropriate. Structure your response with headings or bullet points.
You are an instructional coach. Rewrite the following academic standard into 3–5 student-friendly “I can” learning objectives.
Standard:
[insert full standard text here]
Context:
- Subject: [subject]
- Grade level: [grade level]
- Instructional purpose: [e.g. anchor objectives for a unit, formative assessment guide, student goal setting]
Make sure the objectives are:
- Written in student-friendly language
- Specific, measurable, and age-appropriate
- Focused on skills or outcomes the student can demonstrate
You are an instructional coach. Rewrite the following academic standard into 3–5 student-friendly “I can” learning objectives.
Standard:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.8 – Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
Context:
- Subject: English Language Arts
- Grade level: Grade 6
- Instructional purpose: Anchor objectives for a nonfiction reading unit
Make sure the objectives are:
- Written in student-friendly language
- Specific, measurable, and age-appropriate
- Focused on skills or outcomes the student can demonstrate
You are a lesson planning assistant. Create a customizable lesson plan template that teachers can fill in based on the following topic and learning objectives.
Context:
- Subject: [subject]
- Grade level: [grade level]
- Topic: [lesson topic]
- Learning objectives: [insert 2–3 clear objectives]
Include the following editable sections in the template:
1. Lesson Title
2. Grade and Subject
3. Learning Objectives
4. Materials and Preparation
5. Lesson Procedures:
- Introduction or Hook
- Guided Instruction
- Independent Practice or Group Activity
- Closure or Exit Task
6. Differentiation Strategies
7. Assessment Methods
8. Optional Homework or Extension
Structure the output as a reusable template using clear labels and blank spaces for teachers to fill in.
You are a lesson planning assistant. Create a customizable lesson plan template that teachers can fill in based on the following topic and learning objectives.
Context:
- Subject: Science
- Grade level: Grade 8
- Topic: Newton’s Laws of Motion
- Learning objectives:
1. Identify and describe Newton’s three laws of motion
2. Apply Newton’s laws to real-world scenarios
3. Analyze the effect of force and mass on motion
Include the following editable sections in the template:
1. Lesson Title
2. Grade and Subject
3. Learning Objectives
4. Materials and Preparation
5. Lesson Procedures:
- Introduction or Hook
- Guided Instruction
- Independent Practice or Group Activity
- Closure or Exit Task
6. Differentiation Strategies
7. Assessment Methods
8. Optional Homework or Extension
Structure the output as a reusable template using clear labels and blank spaces for teachers to fill in.
You are a curriculum specialist. Break down the following complex curriculum standard into 3–5 clear, teachable learning targets.
Standard:
[insert full curriculum standard here]
Context:
- Subject: [subject]
- Grade level: [grade level]
- Instructional focus: [e.g. daily mini-lessons, assessments, student self-assessment]
Each learning target should:
- Begin with “I can…”
- Be specific, measurable, and student-friendly
- Align with the depth and skill of the original standard
You are a curriculum specialist. Break down the following complex curriculum standard into 3–5 clear, teachable learning targets.
Standard:
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.7.RP.A.2 – Recognize and represent proportional relationships between quantities.
Context:
- Subject: Math
- Grade level: Grade 7
- Instructional focus: Daily mini-lessons and formative assessments
Each learning target should:
- Begin with “I can…”
- Be specific, measurable, and student-friendly
- Align with the depth and skill of the original standard
You are an instructional coach. Suggest practical ways to integrate SEL (social-emotional learning) instruction into a [subject] lesson for [grade level] students.
Context:
- Academic topic: [lesson or unit topic]
- SEL competency to integrate: [e.g. self-management, relationship skills, decision-making]
- Instructional environment: [e.g. classroom with group work, online discussion, project-based learning]
Include:
1. Lesson integration idea (brief summary)
2. SEL objective (student-facing “I can” statement)
3. Specific strategies or discussion questions
4. Suggested activities or tasks
5. Optional reflection or journaling extension
Make sure it feels natural in an academic setting and doesn't feel like a separate or unrelated task.
You are an instructional coach. Suggest practical ways to integrate SEL (social-emotional learning) instruction into a Social Studies lesson for Grade 6 students.
Context:
- Academic topic: Ancient Civilizations and Leadership
- SEL competency to integrate: Responsible decision-making
- Instructional environment: In-class group presentations and peer feedback
Include:
1. Lesson integration idea (brief summary)
2. SEL objective (student-facing “I can” statement)
3. Specific strategies or discussion questions
4. Suggested activities or tasks
5. Optional reflection or journaling extension
Make sure it feels natural in an academic setting and doesn't feel like a separate or unrelated task.
You are a curriculum designer. Create a multi-disciplinary unit plan that integrates at least two subjects.
Context:
- Grade level: [grade level]
- Core subjects to integrate: [e.g. Science and ELA, Math and Art]
- Unit theme or driving question: [e.g. “How can we reduce waste in our community?”]
- Duration: [number of weeks]
- Standards (optional): [relevant standards from each subject]
Include:
1. Unit Title
2. Driving Question or Big Idea
3. Integrated Subjects
4. Duration
5. Learning Objectives (2–3 per subject)
6. Project or Culminating Task
7. Weekly Breakdown or Sequence
8. Assessment strategies across subjects
9. Materials and resources
Use bullet points or clearly structured paragraphs. Keep it age-appropriate and teacher-ready.
You are a curriculum designer. Create a multi-disciplinary unit plan that integrates at least two subjects.
Context:
- Grade level: Grade 5
- Core subjects to integrate: Science and English Language Arts
- Unit theme or driving question: “How can we protect local ecosystems?”
- Duration: 3 weeks
- Standards (optional): NGSS 5-LS2-1 and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.2
Include:
1. Unit Title
2. Driving Question or Big Idea
3. Integrated Subjects
4. Duration
5. Learning Objectives (2–3 per subject)
6. Project or Culminating Task
7. Weekly Breakdown or Sequence
8. Assessment strategies across subjects
9. Materials and resources
Use bullet points or clearly structured paragraphs. Keep it age-appropriate and teacher-ready.
You are an educator focused on equity and inclusion. Create a culturally responsive lesson or activity plan for a [subject] class in [grade level].
Context:
- Topic: [lesson topic]
- Cultural relevance or anchor: [e.g. current events, student backgrounds, literature, community issues]
- Duration: [lesson length or number of sessions]
Include:
1. Lesson Title
2. Cultural Connection or Anchor Text
3. Learning Objectives
4. Core Activity or Project
5. Student Voice/Choice Elements
6. Inclusive discussion or reflection prompts
7. Materials Needed
8. Optional Extension or Family/Home Connection
Keep the tone inclusive and empowering. Design for a diverse classroom.
You are an educator focused on equity and inclusion. Create a culturally responsive lesson or activity plan for a Grade 8 English class.
Context:
- Topic: Identity and Representation in Media
- Cultural relevance or anchor: Student-chosen social media posts or pop culture figures
- Duration: Two 50-minute sessions
Include:
1. Lesson Title
2. Cultural Connection or Anchor Text
3. Learning Objectives
4. Core Activity or Project
5. Student Voice/Choice Elements
6. Inclusive discussion or reflection prompts
7. Materials Needed
8. Optional Extension or Family/Home Connection
Keep the tone inclusive and empowering. Design for a diverse classroom.
As you can see from the examples above, your prompts must be specific and detailed enough for AI chatbots to produce good outputs. Sometimes you may have to try multiple times before you get the expected result. This process of trial and error is manageable if you’re working on just one teaching resource or two, but it will be overwhelming when you need multiple resources at once. In that case, consider using a teaching-focused AI tool like Monsha. Instead of writing extensive prompts, all you’ll need to do is set your requirements with a few clicks. Whether you want to create a lesson plan based on your curriculum or adapt existing worksheets for different classes, you can do it in a matter of minutes. So try out Monsha for free.
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