Use the CLASS prompt framework

Strong prompts give AI enough teaching context to produce a useful draft. Use the five-part CLASS framework whenever you prepare lessons, assessments, report comments, or parent communication.

C ContextL Learning goalA ApproachS ShapeS Safety check

Context: state the class, subject, topic, duration, curriculum, and learner environment.
Learning goal: describe what learners should know or be able to do.
Approach: request the teaching method, activity style, differentiation, or examples you need.
Shape: specify the exact output, such as a table, 5E lesson, marking guide, or 40-word report comment.
Safety check: ask for age suitability, factual checks, privacy protection, and alignment with your objectives.

Too vague

Write a lesson note on fractions.

Ready to use

Prepare a 40-minute Primary 5 lesson on adding unlike fractions, with three measurable objectives, local examples, guided practice, differentiation, and five evaluation questions.

Six copy-ready prompts for teachers

Replace the words in square brackets with your own details. Review every draft before it reaches a learner, parent, colleague, or school record.

1. Lesson note

Act as an experienced [SUBJECT] teacher. Prepare a [DURATION]-minute lesson note for [CLASS] on [TOPIC] using the [FORMAT] format. Include prior knowledge, three measurable objectives, teaching materials, step-by-step activities, learner participation, differentiation, evaluation questions, and a concise summary. Use examples suitable for [LOCATION/LEARNER CONTEXT]. Check age suitability and flag any fact that needs verification.

2. Assessment and marking guide

Create [NUMBER] assessment questions for [CLASS] on [TOPIC]. Use a balanced mix of recall, application, and reasoning questions based on Bloom's Taxonomy. Include clear instructions, marks per question, model answers, and a marking guide. Ensure every question measures one of these objectives: [PASTE OBJECTIVES]. Do not introduce content outside the stated topic.

3. Differentiated classroom activity

Design one classroom activity on [TOPIC] for [CLASS] with three support levels: learners who need more guidance, learners working at the expected level, and learners ready for extension. Use materials available in [SCHOOL/COMMUNITY CONTEXT]. Keep the learning objective the same across all three versions and explain how I can assess progress in ten minutes.

4. Report comment

Draft a professional report comment of 35-45 words for a [CLASS] learner. Evidence: strengths [LIST], area for improvement [LIST], recent progress [LIST], next step [LIST]. Keep the tone warm, specific, and constructive. Do not invent behaviour, scores, or personal details. Give me three alternatives and avoid labels such as lazy, weak, or troublesome.

5. Parent message

Draft a respectful message to a parent about [SITUATION]. State only these verified facts: [FACTS]. Explain the action already taken, suggest one practical next step, and invite a conversation. Keep it under 120 words, avoid blame, and do not include sensitive learner information that is not necessary for the message.

6. Teaching visual or diagram brief

Create a clear visual brief for a classroom diagram about [TOPIC] for [CLASS]. List the labels, arrow directions, colour distinctions, caption, and three facts the diagram must communicate. Keep the layout simple enough to project or print in black and white. Identify anything that needs scientific or curriculum verification before the visual is produced.

Review before you use the output

Confirm facts, calculations, names, dates, and curriculum requirements.
Check that every activity and question supports the stated learning objectives.
Adjust vocabulary, examples, pace, and difficulty for the actual learners.
Remove private learner information and unnecessary personal details.
Rewrite anything that does not sound like your professional voice.
Keep the final teaching and assessment decision with the teacher.

Keep final decisions human. AI can prepare a fast first draft, but the teacher remains responsible for accuracy, suitability, fairness, and learner safety.

Common prompt mistakes

Requesting a full lesson without stating the class, duration, objectives, or curriculum.
Asking for engaging content without explaining the available time, materials, or learner needs.
Pasting names, medical details, results, or other private learner information into a public AI tool.
Accepting confident-looking facts, citations, questions, or scores without checking them.

Move from one prompt to a complete teaching workflow

Edu Suite 2.0 helps teachers prepare lesson notes, schemes of work, assessments, visuals, and report comments in structured formats, with teacher review at every stage.

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Direct answer

What is prompt engineering for teachers?

Prompt engineering for teachers is the practice of giving an AI system enough curriculum, learner, task, format and quality context to produce a draft that can be checked and adapted for real teaching.

A dependable prompt answers six questions: Who are the learners? What should they learn? What source or curriculum applies? What should the AI produce? What constraints matter? How will the result be checked?

Never include unnecessary personal learner data. Review facts, inclusiveness, difficulty, timing and alignment before classroom use. See UNESCO's guidance for generative AI in education, then connect prompting to school policy, lesson-note practice and guided training.