# ChatGPT Prompt Cheat Sheet — High School Math Teachers *LIFT LAB Workshop | March 17, 2026 | CSUDH* **How to use this sheet:** Copy a prompt, fill in the [BRACKETS], paste into ChatGPT. **Pro tip:** Always ask for an answer key. Always verify the math before distributing. **Free teacher plan:** https://chatgpt.com/plans/k12-teachers --- ## THE RTFC FORMULA (use this for ANY prompt) **R**ole + **T**ask + **F**ormat + **C**riteria > "Act as an experienced [GRADE] [SUBJECT] teacher (Role). Create a [TASK] (Task). Format it as [FORMAT] (Format). Make sure it is [CRITERIA] (Criteria)." --- ## 1. WORKSHEET GENERATOR ### Basic Worksheet > "Act as an experienced high school [SUBJECT] teacher. Create a [NUMBER]-question practice worksheet on [TOPIC] for [GRADE] students. Format it as a clean printable with space between each problem for student work, and include a full answer key with step-by-step worked solutions on a separate page. Make all answers integers only and align to Common Core standards." **Fill in:** SUBJECT (Algebra 1, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Statistics...), NUMBER (10, 15, 20), TOPIC, GRADE ### Example: > "Act as an experienced high school Algebra 1 teacher. Create a 12-question practice worksheet on solving two-step equations for 9th graders. Format it as a clean printable with space between each problem for student work, and include a full answer key with step-by-step worked solutions on a separate page. Make all answers integers only and align to Common Core 8.EE.C.7." --- ## 2. DIFFERENTIATED WORKSHEET (3 LEVELS) > "I teach [SUBJECT] to a mixed-ability [GRADE] class. Create THREE versions of a [NUMBER]-problem practice set on [TOPIC]: > - **Version A (Below Grade Level):** [EASIER DESCRIPTION — e.g., 'basic substitution, no negatives'] > - **Version B (On Grade Level):** [STANDARD DESCRIPTION — e.g., 'substitution and elimination, some negative numbers'] > - **Version C (Above Grade Level):** [HARDER DESCRIPTION — e.g., 'all methods, word problems, fractional coefficients'] > Include a complete answer key for each version. Format each as a separate printable section." ### Example: > "I teach Algebra 1 to a mixed-ability 9th grade class. Create THREE versions of a 6-problem practice set on solving systems of linear equations: > - Version A: substitution only, positive integer solutions, one-step setup > - Version B: substitution and elimination, some negative solutions > - Version C: all three methods, word problems requiring students to set up the system, some fractional coefficients > Include a complete answer key for each version. Format each as a separate printable section." --- ## 3. ANSWER KEY GENERATOR > "I have the following [SUBJECT] problems for [GRADE] students. Create a complete answer key with full step-by-step worked solutions for each problem. Show all work clearly, as a model for students. Problems: > [PASTE YOUR PROBLEMS HERE]" --- ## 4. WORD PROBLEM CREATOR > "Write [NUMBER] engaging word problems about [MATH TOPIC] for [GRADE] students. Use real-world contexts that teenagers find relevant: [CHOOSE: social media, sports, streaming services, part-time jobs, gaming, food, fashion, music, travel]. Each problem must require students to [MATH SKILL — e.g., 'set up and solve a linear equation']. Include complete solutions." ### Example: > "Write 6 engaging word problems about linear equations for 8th graders. Use real-world contexts involving social media, sports, and part-time jobs. Each problem must require students to set up and solve a linear equation. Include complete solutions." --- ## 5. LESSON PLAN GENERATOR > "Design a [LENGTH]-minute [SUBJECT] lesson plan for [GRADE] students on [TOPIC]. Include: > - Learning objectives aligned to Common Core [STANDARD if known] > - Warm-up activity ([X] min) > - Direct instruction ([X] min) > - Guided practice ([X] min) > - Independent practice ([X] min) > - Exit ticket ([X] min) > List all materials needed. Write at a level where a substitute teacher could follow it." ### Example (60-minute): > "Design a 60-minute Geometry lesson plan for 10th graders on the Pythagorean theorem and its converse. Include: objectives aligned to Common Core 8.G.B.7, warm-up (5 min), direct instruction (15 min), guided practice (20 min), independent practice (15 min), exit ticket (5 min). List all materials needed." --- ## 6. EXIT TICKET BANK > "Create a bank of [NUMBER] exit ticket questions for a [GRADE] [SUBJECT] unit on [TOPIC]. Include: > - [X] conceptual questions (explain, compare, identify, describe) > - [X] procedural questions (calculate, graph, solve, simplify) > - [X] application questions (real-world scenarios, word problems) > Each question should take no more than 3 minutes to answer. Provide answers for all questions." ### Example: > "Create a bank of 15 exit ticket questions for a 10th grade Algebra 2 unit on exponential functions. Include 5 conceptual, 5 procedural, and 5 application questions. Each should take ≤3 minutes. Provide answers for all 15." --- ## 7. QUIZ OR TEST GENERATOR > "Create a [NUMBER]-question [QUIZ/TEST] for [GRADE] [SUBJECT] covering [TOPICS — list 3-5]. Include: > - [X] multiple choice questions (4 answer choices each) > - [X] short answer questions > - [X] free response / show-your-work problems > Write at a [DIFFICULTY] level. Include a complete answer key. Format as a printable student document with name/date/period lines at the top." --- ## 8. SPIRAL REVIEW / WARM-UP > "Create a 5-question spiral review warm-up for a [GRADE] [SUBJECT] class. The questions should review these previously taught topics: [TOPIC 1], [TOPIC 2], [TOPIC 3], [TOPIC 4]. Keep each question quick (2-3 minutes max). Include answers." --- ## 9. REAL-WORLD CONNECTIONS > "I'm teaching [TOPIC] to [GRADE] students. Give me 5 compelling, real-world examples of where [TOPIC] is used in everyday life or careers that would be relevant and interesting to a [GRADE] student. For each example, suggest one follow-up activity or discussion question I can use in class." ### Example: > "I'm teaching quadratic equations to 10th graders. Give me 5 compelling real-world examples of where quadratics appear in everyday life or careers that would interest a 15-year-old. For each example, suggest one follow-up activity or discussion question." --- ## 10. PARENT COMMUNICATION > "I'm a [GRADE] [SUBJECT] teacher. Write a [LENGTH: short/medium] email to parents explaining: > - What students are learning this month: [TOPICS] > - Why these skills matter in real life > - One upcoming assessment/project (due [DATE]) > - One specific way parents can support study at home (without needing to know the math) > Keep it friendly, jargon-free, and under [WORD COUNT] words." --- ## 11. RUBRIC GENERATOR > "Create a standards-aligned rubric for a [ASSIGNMENT TYPE — e.g., project, presentation, proof, word problem set] in [GRADE] [SUBJECT] on [TOPIC]. Include 4 performance levels (Exemplary, Proficient, Developing, Beginning) and evaluate these criteria: [CRITERIA 1], [CRITERIA 2], [CRITERIA 3]. Format as a table." --- ## 12. CONCEPT EXPLAINER (for you to understand before teaching) > "Explain [MATH CONCEPT] to me as if I need to reteach it from scratch. Include: the key ideas, common student misconceptions, three worked examples progressing from easy to hard, and two real-world analogies I can use with students." --- ## POWER TIPS **Tip 1 — Layer your prompts:** Don't try to get everything in one prompt. Start with the worksheet, then: - "Now make problem 5 harder" - "Add a word problem about basketball" - "Now give me the answer key with full working" **Tip 2 — Specify your standards:** Add "aligned to California Common Core [STANDARD]" to any prompt for standards-aligned output. **Tip 3 — Use Code Interpreter for math accuracy:** In ChatGPT, when Code Interpreter is active, it runs actual calculations — much more accurate than relying on its memory. Enable it for answer key generation. **Tip 4 — Save your best prompts:** Create a Google Doc called "My AI Prompts" and paste the ones that work. You'll reuse them all year. **Tip 5 — Always review before printing:** AI can make math errors, especially on multi-step problems. Always check your answer key before distributing to students.