In the latest episode of The Shake Up Learning Show, we dive deep into a powerful, game-changing concept that every teacher should know: AI prompting.

With tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Magic School AI, and Canva Magic, teachers can now streamline their work, save valuable time, and boost creativity in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago.

The secret to making these tools work for you? Prompts—the way you ask the AI to deliver specific outputs.

When you “Prompt Like a Boss,” you unlock the true potential of AI to enhance everything from lesson planning to grading, all while freeing up your time to focus on what matters most: your students.

And stay tuned for an exciting “Prompt Like a Boss” training coming to our ALL ACCESS Membership, or request this training for your school or event!

[ctt template=”1″ link=”fBH7j” via=”yes” ]Prompt Like a Boss: Unlocking the Power of AI in Your Teaching[/ctt]

Listen to this episode:

Prompt Like a Boss: How to Use AI to Supercharge Your Teaching

In the latest episode of The Shake Up Learning Show, Kasey Bell dives deep into a powerful, game-changing concept that every teacher should know: AI prompting. With tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Magic School AI, and Canva Magic, teachers can now streamline their work, save valuable time, and boost creativity in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago.

The secret to making these tools work for you? Prompts—the way you ask the AI to deliver specific outputs. When you “Prompt Like a Boss,” you unlock the true potential of AI to enhance everything from lesson planning to grading, all while freeing up your time to focus on what matters most: your students.

Before we dive deeper, don’t forget to grab my FREE Fall & Winter AI Prompt Cheat Sheet to help you get started with ready-to-use prompts designed specifically for educators. It’s a perfect way to supercharge your teaching with AI and is available using the form below.

What is AI Prompting, and Why Does it Matter?

At its core, AI prompting is all about asking the right questions. It’s not enough to simply ask AI for help—you need to be specific and strategic to get meaningful, useful results. Whether you’re creating a lesson plan, generating grading rubrics, or coming up with creative activities, how you phrase your prompt can drastically impact the outcome.

The importance of effective prompting can’t be overstated. Imagine this: Instead of spending hours tweaking a lesson plan or struggling to come up with engaging activities, AI can do it for you—in minutes! But it only works if you guide it with clear, thoughtful instructions.

The Basics of Prompting Like a Pro

So, how do you prompt like a pro? In the episode, Kasey shares three foundational tips to help you get started:

Start with Clear Intentions Before you begin typing, take a moment to clarify what you need. Are you looking for a complete lesson plan, a set of practice problems, or a creative activity? Be specific about your goals so that the AI knows exactly what to deliver.
Be Specific The more specific your prompt, the better the AI’s response. For example, instead of typing, “Create a lesson plan,” try something like this: “Create a 45-minute lesson plan for 3rd-grade math on fractions, including an engaging opening activity, practice problems, and a formative assessment.” By giving details, you’re directing the AI to focus on exactly what you need, saving you from unnecessary revisions.
Experiment and Refine AI is powerful, but it’s not perfect. Often, you’ll need to adjust your prompts to get the best results. Think of it as a conversation—you ask, the AI responds, and you tweak your request if needed. For example, if the lesson plan generated is too simple, you can refine your prompt to say, “Add a differentiated strategy for advanced learners.”

By mastering these basic tips, you’re already on your way to working smarter, not harder.

Common Prompting Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Kasey also highlights some common mistakes that many educators make when first using AI, and how to avoid these pitfalls:

Vague Language Using general or vague prompts often leads to generic, unusable results. Instead of “Help me plan a lesson,” be sure to include specific details like subject matter, grade level, and time constraints. The more detail you provide, the more tailored and useful the response will be.
Overloading the AI A frequent mistake is asking for too much in one prompt. For example, if you ask the AI to “create a lesson plan, write a rubric, and generate a parent letter,” you may overwhelm it. Instead, break down your requests into smaller tasks, like asking for a lesson plan first, and then moving on to the rubric and letter separately.
Ignoring Feedback AI works best when used interactively. If you’re not satisfied with the AI’s response, don’t give up—refine your prompt and give feedback. For example, if the AI suggests an activity that feels too simple, you can respond with, “Provide a more hands-on activity for 4th graders.”

These tips will help you avoid frustration and make sure you’re using AI to its full potential.

Advanced Prompting Techniques

Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to level up! In the episode, Kasey shares some advanced prompting techniques that can take your AI usage to the next level:

Layered PromptsOne advanced technique is to layer your prompts, building on the AI’s previous answers. Start with a broad prompt like “Generate a lesson outline,” and then follow up with, “Expand on the opening activity with hands-on ideas,” or “Add differentiated instructions for struggling learners.” By layering prompts, you can guide the AI to refine and enhance its responses.
Role-Playing PromptsA powerful strategy is to use role-playing prompts, where you ask the AI to act as a specific expert. For example, you might say, “Act as a curriculum coach and create a week-long unit for middle school history.” This approach helps you get more specialized, expert-level answers.
Prompting for CreativityAI can also spark creativity in your classroom. You can use prompts like, “Create 5 unique writing prompts for 5th graders,” or “Generate an engaging classroom game for high school science review.” These types of creative prompts help you come up with fun and innovative ways to engage your students.

Exciting News: Full ‘Prompt Like a Boss’ Training Coming Soon!

If you’re excited about these techniques and want to go even deeper, here’s the good news: A full ‘Prompt Like a Boss’ training is coming soon, exclusively for ALL ACCESS members. In this training, you’ll learn advanced strategies, see real-world examples, and get personalized support to fine-tune your prompting skills.

This isn’t just for tech-savvy teachers—whether you’re a seasoned AI user or just getting started, this training will equip you with the tools and confidence to master AI in your teaching.

Why AI Prompting is a Game-Changer for Educators

Imagine being able to cut your lesson planning time in half, or having a personalized curriculum ready at your fingertips. With the right prompts, AI can help you create engaging content, streamline tasks like grading, and even automate communications with parents.

By learning how to prompt like a boss, you can transform your teaching process, freeing up time and mental energy to focus on what really matters: connecting with your students and enhancing their learning experience.

Members-Only Training in October!

If you’re ready to take your AI skills to the next level, be sure to join the ALL ACCESS membership. You’ll get first access to the full ‘Prompt Like a Boss’ training, plus tons of other exclusive content, resources, and support. It’s the perfect way to ensure you’re staying ahead of the curve with the latest in educational technology.

💥 Join today and get the unbelievable EARLY BIRD price!

© Shake Up Learning 2025. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.