If you’re anything like me, you’re addicted to coffee and writing something in order to procrastinate writing something more urgent. But, to be more on topic, you also view the rise of AI with a mix of intrigue and skepticism.

My biggest fear about using AI for homeschooling was being given bad information. (That and becoming a Matrix-esque pawn in the grand designs of my new digital master.) Of course, getting bogus info was the main argument against search engines when they were new, and we learned how to navigate them. So, I felt I should stay cautiously open-minded.

I began to explore, with suspicion, the capabilities of AI via the ultra-scientific method of screwing around with it. And, lo and behold, I discovered that this tool is good for more than just rewriting the Gettysburg Address in the style of Dr. Seuss. (But if you’re bored, it will do that, too.)

Frankly, I was stunned at how helpful my new artificially intelligent friend could be. So, I decided to test various homeschooling tasks to see which ones were most helpful and time-saving. There was a learning curve, no doubt! But now that I figured out the dos and dont’s, I am never going back.

So for you, my dear homeschool friend, I’ve compiled everything I learned, including my top tips, mistakes to avoid, and which AI tasks are really game-changers.

I’ve included some of my exact prompts and the responses I got. Some responses have been lightly edited for length, i.e. I have dispensed with the unnecessary pleasantries.

I encourage you, of course, to read through the whole article. But you can also jump to a specific section here:

• Create a course schedule, weekly schedule, or daily schedule
• Explain complex material in a new way
• Generate lists of literally anything you need
• Build your own curriculum
• Review and provide feedback on your child’s work
• Compare and contrast curricula choices
• ChatGPT’s own ideas for using it for homeschooling

Or jump straight to my list of top tips and best practices here.

---

Want to listen instead? Check out my podcast chat with the incomparable Charlotte Jones where we discuss my ChatGPT findings in depth.

---

You had me at “AI language model”

There are a lot of AI tools popping up everywhere right now. For clarity, I am using the free version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which is the 3.5 version (as of the date of publication). You have to pay to get the latest and greatest ChatGPT-4.

ChatGPT requires you to create an account with an email address. I do like this because it saves my chats and I can come back to them later or switch between my laptop and my phone and all the info is still there. (Update: They just dropped the Android app for ChatGPT for even more seamless transitions between devices.)

The free version does not have certain bells and whistles, like add-on extensions or testing beta features, which would be really nice to have. However, the word on the street is that ChatGPT-4 powers MS Bing’s search feature. I have not tried it. But, for what it’s worth, now you know.

Also, there is a disclaimer that your new homeschool assistant is a bit behind the times. ChatGPT has limited knowledge of anything since 2021. So, stick to history, not current events.

Anyway, let’s get to the good stuff! What is AI really good for?

Create a course schedule, weekly schedule, or daily schedule

This was when the lightbulb went off! The first time I successfully used ChatGPT for something more than parlor tricks was to create a schedule for a course that didn’t come with one.

I will be using Brave Writer’s Help for High School this year with my daughter. I love Brave Writer (so much, in fact, that I teach for them ❤). But this particular product is intended to be self-paced, and I wanted some kind of structure—at least enough to know that we would get through the course by the end of our year.

First, I copied the Table of Contents and the Parent Introduction into ChatGPT and asked it to create a 36-week schedule. Voila! I had my schedule.

And this is when I learned my first big lesson about how to homeschool with ChatGPT . . .

So much of using ChatGPT with success is giving it enough instructions to go on. That is why I included the introduction in my query. There was information in there about how long certain modules may take. Amazingly, ChatGPT used that information and gave the meatier modules more time in the schedule.

But it didn’t all come out perfect on the first go. So, this is where I learned my second lesson . . .

My triumph was dimmed a bit when I saw that my new assistant had included ample time in the schedule to cover the appendices. Why? Because, of course, I had neglected to tell it not to.

I needed to be more specific in my instructions. A fine example of the computer programmers’ motto, “garbage in, garbage out,” meaning your outputs will only be as good as what you put into the system.

I now see why writing AI queries has become a high-paying, high-demand job overnight. It’s tricky at first, but you do get better with a little practice.

So next, I prompted it to recalculate the schedule without the appendixes. You live and learn.

Yet, even when I count the time it took to get the hang of this and refine my queries, ChatGPT just saved me bucketfuls of time over calculating this course schedule for myself.

So, I wondered . . . What other scheduling tasks can this little guy do? Here was my next request:

Give me a weekly homeschooling schedule for a 3rd grader and a 7th grader following the suggested schedules in The Well Trained Mind. The third grader will study language arts, math, science, history, and art. The 7th grader will study all of those subjects plus logic and practice violin. They do not need to spend the same amount of time on each subject. For example, the 3rd grader will need less time for math than the 7th grader. Overall, the 3rd grader should have a shorter school day than the 7th grader.

-Me

And here was what I got back . . .

Weekly Homeschooling Schedule for a 3rd Grader and a 7th Grader:

Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM: Morning Routine (breakfast, hygiene, etc.)

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Physical Education (PE) or Exercise

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM: Language Arts

• 3rd Grader: Phonics, reading, writing, spelling, grammar
• 7th Grader: Reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing skills, grammar

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM: Math

• 3rd Grader: Arithmetic, basic operations, math drills
• 7th Grader: Pre-algebra, algebra, math drills

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Snack Break

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM: Science

• 3rd Grader: General science, hands-on experiments, nature study
• 7th Grader: Earth science, life science, physical science, experiments

11:45 AM – 12:30 PM: History

• 3rd Grader: World history, American history, biographies
• 7th Grader: World history, American history, ancient civilizations, primary sources

12:30 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch Break

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Art

• 3rd Grader: Drawing, painting, crafts, art appreciation
• 7th Grader: Drawing, painting, sculpture, art history

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Logic

• 7th Grader: Critical thinking, logical reasoning, problem-solving

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Violin Practice

• 7th Grader: Dedicated time for violin practice and music theory

-ChatGPT

So, I needed to follow up with a bit more detail, for example telling it to alternate science and history on different days. But what a promising start! Notice how my new assistant thoughtfully included time for snacks, P.E., and breakfast/hygiene even though I didn’t ask it to.

*Adding “. . . following Charlotte Mason principles . . .” to my query instead of The Well Trained Mind caused ChatGPT to add nature studies and devotionals to the beginning of my day as well as handicrafts and additional time for music and art appreciation. So,

Explain complex material in a new way

Next, armed with a tiny bit of experience and a lot of enthusiasm, I decided to branch out and see what else my new assistant could do. I opted for: helping me teach complex material.

How long has it been since you learned algebra? Need a simpler way to explain simplifying fractions? What about breaking down the Laws of Thermodynamics to a 10-year-old (let alone yourself)? I discovered ChatGPT can make me look like a pro in just about any subject!

Try some of these prompts the next time you need to explain complex or unfamiliar subjects:

• What are black holes? Explain like I’m a 6th grader.
• Break down how to solve x/3 = (2x + 3)/7 step by step.
• Explain the basics of Python coding language to a beginner. Include examples.
• Give me a 500-word summary of the causes of WWI.
• Simplify and rewrite the following passage on a 3rd-grade level: [copy and paste text].
• Summarize the following passage in 300 words. Include a bulleted list of all the main facts: [copy and paste text].

Don’t forget, if you don’t get precisely what you’re looking for, continue to edit your prompt. Give further and more precise instructions, or ask ChatGPT to refine its previous answer until you’re satisfied.

Generate lists of literally anything you need

Facts about whales. Book suggestions for 3rd graders who love robots. Spelling words.

List generation is, perhaps, my absolute favorite use for my new little friend. Case in point—I asked ChatGPT to generate the following list of lists. This is also a great study on refining your prompt to get closer to what you’re after.

Give me a list of types of lists a homeschool mom might ask you to generate.

-Me

Certainly! Here’s a list of types of lists a homeschool mom might ask you to generate:

1. Curriculum list: A list of recommended textbooks, workbooks, online resources, or other educational materials for each subject.
2. Reading list: A list of books, novels, or literary works suitable for different age groups and reading levels.
3. Supplies list: A list of essential school supplies, such as notebooks, pencils, calculators, art materials, or science experiment kits.
4. Field trip ideas list: A list of educational and fun places to visit, such as museums, historical sites, science centers, zoos, or local attractions.
5. Co-op or support group list: A list of local homeschooling co-ops or support groups, including contact information and meeting schedules.
6. Extracurricular activities list: A list of after-school programs, clubs, sports teams, or community classes for homeschoolers to participate in.
7. Online resource list: A list of websites, apps, or online platforms that offer educational content, interactive lessons, or virtual learning experiences.
8. Unit study list: A list of thematic unit study ideas, including suggested books, hands-on activities, and projects related to specific topics.
9. Homeschooling organization list: A list of homeschooling organizations, associations, or advocacy groups that provide resources, legal information, and support to homeschooling families.
10. Assessment and evaluation list: A list of assessment tools, standardized tests, or evaluation methods for tracking academic progress and identifying areas of improvement.
11. Co-curricular resources list: A list of resources for teaching subjects beyond the core curriculum, such as music, art, physical education, foreign languages, or computer programming.
12. Online course list: A list of online courses or virtual academies that offer specialized instruction in specific subjects or areas of interest.

-ChatGPT

(Notice ChatGPT’s adorable use of “you” in the third person. Comforting consolation that, as artificially intelligent as it may be, the nuances of interpersonal communication still escape it.)

Now, this list is great. But I was looking for a list that was a little more subject-specific. So, I prompted again and used some examples:

Make a list of lists that pertain to specific subjects, for example a list of spelling words, or science vocabulary with definitions, or history facts on a specific history subject.

-Me

Certainly! Here’s a list of subject-specific lists that a homeschool mom might ask you to generate:

1. Spelling words list: A list of words categorized by grade level or spelling difficulty for spelling practice and tests.
2. Science vocabulary list: A list of scientific terms or vocabulary words with their definitions for different science topics or units.
3. Math formulas list: A list of important mathematical formulas and equations for various math concepts, such as geometry, algebra, or calculus.
4. History facts list: A list of key historical events, dates, and facts for a specific time period, civilization, or historical figure.
5. Geography capitals list: A list of country names and their respective capitals for geography lessons and memorization.
6. Literature discussion questions list: A list of thought-provoking questions to stimulate discussion and critical thinking about specific literary works or novels.
7. Grammar rules list: A list of grammar rules, including parts of speech, verb tenses, sentence structure, or punctuation rules, for language arts studies.
8. Art techniques list: A list of different art techniques, styles, or artists for art appreciation or hands-on art projects.
9. Music composers list: A list of famous classical composers and their notable compositions for music appreciation and study.
10. Foreign language vocabulary list: A list of common words and phrases in a foreign language, organized by topics or daily life situations.
11. Anatomy diagrams list: A list of anatomical diagrams or body systems for biology or health science lessons.
12. Environmental science issues list: A list of environmental issues, such as climate change, pollution, or conservation topics, for discussions and research.

-ChatGPT

Note how, in my second prompt, I didn’t specifically reference the first prompt or repeat the information about homeschool moms. Yet, ChatGPT still linked the two requests and understood what I was after!

This brings us to another tip . . .

Here is an example of a more specific list I asked for:

List important dates, people, places, and events from the First Crusade.

-Me

Important Dates, People, Places, and Events during the First Crusade:

Dates:

• 1095: Pope Urban II delivers the sermon at the Council of Clermont, calling for a holy war to reclaim Jerusalem.
• 1096: The People’s Crusade, led by Peter the Hermit and Walter Sans Avoir, sets off for the Holy Land but faces hardships and is eventually defeated.
• 1097-1099: The main Crusader armies, comprising nobles and knights, embark on the First Crusade.
• 1099: The Crusaders capture Jerusalem and establish the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

People:

• Pope Urban II: The Pope who called for the First Crusade and urged Christians to fight to reclaim Jerusalem from the Muslims.
• Godfrey of Bouillon: A prominent leader and one of the main Crusader commanders who played a crucial role in the capture of Jerusalem.
• Raymond IV of Toulouse: Another influential leader who commanded a significant contingent of Crusaders and later became the Count of Tripoli.
• Tancred: A brave knight who distinguished himself in several battles and became one of the key figures in the Crusade.
• Bohemond of Taranto: A Norman leader who played a significant role in the Crusade and later established the Principality of Antioch.

Places:

• Jerusalem: The ultimate objective of the Crusaders, as they sought to recapture the Holy City from Muslim control.
• Antioch: A strategically important city that was besieged by the Crusaders and eventually captured, establishing the Principality of Antioch.
• Nicea: The Crusaders captured Nicea in 1097, marking their first major victory on their way to Jerusalem.
• Edessa: The Crusaders captured Edessa in 1098, establishing the County of Edessa as the first Crusader state.

Events:

• Siege of Antioch: The Crusaders faced a lengthy and challenging siege at Antioch, enduring hardship, internal conflicts, and a final successful assault.
• Battle of Dorylaeum: The Crusaders encountered a formidable Seljuk Turkish army and emerged victorious, securing their route to Jerusalem.
• Siege of Jerusalem: The Crusaders laid siege to Jerusalem and eventually breached the city walls, resulting in the massacre of the city’s inhabitants.

-Chat GPT

Not bad, eh? I would probably prompt for expansion on the list of significant dates and events. But ChatGPT gets you started and gives you some direction when researching.

What are “hallucinations”?

A “hallucination” is when ChatGPT (or another AI tool) makes an incorrect statement. Due to the conversational nature of the chatbot and its cool air of self-assuredness, hallucinations come off as sounding rather more like a lie than an error. Rest easy though, we are not yet at the point where the machine is intentionally trying to deceive you. Intention would require a HAL 9000 level of consciousness that, frankly, I hope we never see.

It can be hard to figure out exactly where ChatGPT’s hallucinations come from. Sometimes, it is clear that the answer just incomplete and, therefore, incorrect without other details, or that statements have been taken out of context. But, often, incorrect information just seems to be randomly foisted on you as fact.

List-making is where I noticed some of the most glaring errors from my new assistant. As one example, I asked for a list of spelling words with a short vowel and a -ve ending. Disappointingly, it gave me several words like “dive” that have a long vowel sound.

So, what can you do about hallucinations? Well, you have to go back to the analogy of treating ChatGPT as an assistant. An assistant works under the boss, and the boss is ultimately responsible for their work. Just like a new intern, you need to fact-check ChatGPT’s work for accuracy in these situations:

• If you are relying on a statement of fact—such as when you’re including a figure ChatGPT provided in an email.
• If you are asking ChatGPT about a subject that is unfamiliar to you. A good rule of thumb is that you can use ChatGPT confidently on topics you’re very familiar with. That way, it will be easier to spot a hallucination. If you want to learn about a new topic, it’s better to ask ChatGPT to steer you to other more reliable resources by asking for good search engine queries or credible websites. Then, go there to learn what you need.

Tip #6: Fact check when necessary . . . just like you would a real assistant.

Build your own curriculum

If you want to use your new homeschooling assistant to build a curriculum, you’ll find that it’s a multi-step process.

Begin by asking for a table of contents or scope and sequence. Again, be specific!

Write a table of contents for a health course for an 8th-grade girl that includes self-care, mental wellness, sex education, diet, exercise, and healthy relationships.

-Me

Once you have the topics you want to cover, send ChatGPT on a mission to find resources for them. This works best if you tackle one narrow topic at a time.

Tip #7: Break down large projects into smaller tasks within the same chat.

Find free, high-quality, online resources for topic #5.

-Me

Or if you’re not up for building entire curricula, what about just a unit study? Here is what I got when I asked for a unit study about Sherlock Holmes:

Unit Study: Sherlock Holmes

Subject: Literature, Critical Thinking, Mystery, Problem Solving

Grade Level: Middle School (6th-8th grade)

Duration: Approximately 4-6 weeks (may be adjusted based on pace and depth of study)

Overview: The Sherlock Holmes Unit Study aims to introduce students to the captivating world of Sherlock Holmes, the famous detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Through engaging activities and literary analysis, students will explore the character of Sherlock Holmes, unravel mysteries, develop critical thinking skills, and enhance their understanding of detective fiction.

Unit Objectives:

• Familiarize students with the Sherlock Holmes stories and the Victorian era.
• Analyze and discuss the character traits and methods of Sherlock Holmes.
• Develop critical thinking, deductive reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
• Enhance literary analysis and interpretation through close reading.
• Explore the influence of Sherlock Holmes on detective fiction and popular culture.

Suggested Activities:

1. Introduction to Sherlock Holmes
   • Read and discuss excerpts from a Sherlock Holmes story, such as “A Study in Scarlet” or “The Adventure of the Speckled Band.”
   • Introduce the Victorian era and discuss its influence on the Sherlock Holmes stories.
   • Watch an adaptation of a Sherlock Holmes story, such as a film or television episode, and compare it to the original text.
2. Character Analysis and Traits
   • Analyze the character of Sherlock Holmes and create character profiles highlighting his unique traits, habits, and methods.
   • Engage in discussions about the importance of observation, deduction, logic, and intuition in solving mysteries.
   • Conduct role-play activities where students act as detectives, solving fictional cases using Sherlock Holmes’ techniques.
3. Mystery Solving and Deductive Reasoning
   • Present students with short mysteries or riddles and encourage them to use deductive reasoning to solve them.
   • Create a “Detective’s Notebook” for students to document clues, evidence, and deductions as they work through a mystery.
   • Develop critical thinking skills by engaging in logic puzzles and brain teasers related to detective work.
4. Close Reading and Literary Analysis
   • Choose a complete Sherlock Holmes story for in-depth analysis, such as “The Hound of the Baskervilles.”
   • Guide students in close reading, examining themes, character development, plot structure, and author’s style.
   • Conduct group discussions and writing assignments to explore literary elements, such as foreshadowing, suspense, and red herrings.
5. Historical Context and Influences
   • Research the Victorian era, including social norms, technology, and scientific advancements of the time.
   • Discuss how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s background as a physician influenced the character of Sherlock Holmes.
   • Explore the impact of Sherlock Holmes on detective fiction and popular culture, including adaptations, spin-offs, and parodies.
6. Culminating Project
   • Give students the opportunity to create their own detective story, featuring a unique detective and mystery to solve.
   • Encourage students to apply the methods and techniques they learned from studying Sherlock Holmes in their stories.
   • Present and share the completed stories with the class.

Additional Resources:

• “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Film or television adaptations of Sherlock Holmes stories (e.g., BBC’s “Sherlock,” “Sherlock Holmes” movies starring Robert Downey Jr., etc.)
• Online resources with Sherlock Holmes-related activities, quizzes, and puzzles.

Note: Adapt and modify the activities and resources according to the specific needs and abilities of your students. Ensure that the reading material is appropriate for the grade level and adjust the depth of analysis accordingly.

-ChatGPT

Then, I followed up and prompted ChatGPT to add math to that unit study:

Math Integration in Sherlock Holmes Unit Study:

1. Code Breaking and Cryptography:
   • Introduce the concept of codes and ciphers used in detective work and challenge students to create and solve their own codes.
   • Explore historical ciphers and discuss how Sherlock Holmes used cryptography to solve mysteries.
   • Engage students in activities that involve decoding messages, such as substitution ciphers or Caesar ciphers.
2. Measurement and Geometry:
   • Investigate crime scenes and engage students in measuring and documenting various aspects of the scene, such as distances, angles, and object dimensions.
   • Discuss the use of geometry in crime scene analysis, such as determining trajectories or reconstructing events.
   • Incorporate geometry puzzles or challenges related to Sherlock Holmes stories, such as measuring the size of footprints or calculating the trajectory of a thrown object.
3. Data Analysis and Probability:
   • Conduct statistical analysis related to detective work. For example, analyze data on crime rates in different areas or study the probability of certain events occurring in a mystery.
   • Create charts or graphs to represent data, such as pie charts showing the frequency of different types of crimes.
   • Engage students in probability exercises related to Sherlock Holmes’ deductions, such as calculating the likelihood of certain scenarios based on the evidence.
4. Logic and Deductive Reasoning:
   • Introduce logic puzzles and riddles that require deductive reasoning and problem-solving skills, similar to the ones Sherlock Holmes encounters.
   • Explore logical fallacies and how to avoid them in critical thinking and mathematical reasoning.
   • Present mathematical problems that require students to apply deductive reasoning and logical thinking to arrive at a solution.
5. Financial Mathematics:
   • Discuss the costs involved in detective work, such as equipment, transportation, or hiring experts.
   • Engage students in budgeting exercises related to solving mysteries, estimating expenses, and managing resources.
   • Explore the concept of financial crime and its impact, highlighting the importance of financial mathematics in solving such cases.

– ChatGPT

Here are some more ideas for using ChatGPT to supplement or enhance your existing curricula or to create new resources:

• Give me discussion questions for the first three chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird
• Give me five multiple choice questions to test the comprehension of a 3rd grader on the following passage: [copy and paste]
• Give me some ideas for hands-on activities or projects to complement a 7th grader’s study of the atomic model
• Give me five different writing prompts that a middle schooler could choose from to write a five-paragraph essay about the Crusades.
• Give me 10 practice problems for a 5th grader to simplify fractions and give me the answers separately.

Review and provide feedback on your child’s work

This was another instance where ChatGPT really blew me away. Having worked for Brave Writer for nearly two years now, I have been rigorously trained on giving positive, affirming, constructive feedback to children on their writing. Apparently, so has ChatGPT!

This writing sample was written by a 2nd grader. Please review and provide age-approprite feedback.

-Me

Of course, I’d be happy to review the writing sample! Please provide the writing so that I can offer age-appropriate feedback.

-ChatGPT

Doh! [facepalm] [copy and paste Minecraft fan-fiction]

Once upon a time, there was Steve. And then he found five fish. He found a village, and night fell. All the villagers went to sleep. And then a spider came up. It started attacking the cat. Meow! Meow! Meow! And then he killed the spider. He used his five fish to tame the fish. One, two, three, four, five. He got the cat and they went on many adventures together! Then, they went to a theme park. The cat was already on the roller coaster, but Steve was scared of fast things. So, he went to go find a saddle. Then, while the cat was doing a couple laps on the roller coaster, Steve found a saddle. So he went back to the village where all the villagers were “Herrr-ing” about. And then he tried the saddle on the sheep. Baa! Too small. He tried it on the horse. Too fast. Neigh! And then he found a pig. And the saddle fit just right. So he got on the pig and went back to the roller coaster where he got on a did a couple laps. And he said to his cat, “Hey, I saw some animals while I was getting my pig. Why don’t we go tame them?” And the cat said “Meooooow.” So they followed them, brought wheat, and tamed the horse and then the sheep. But there was another pig in there. And then the pig was struck by lightening and turned into a Pigland Brute. It started terrorizing the village. So Steve pulled out his sword and killed the Brute. And then the village made him their king. THE END

-Me

Wow, this is a fantastic story written by a 2nd grader! I’m impressed by the creativity and imagination shown in the tale. Here is some age-appropriate feedback:

1. Positive Reinforcement: Start by praising the young writer for their excellent work. Encourage them by pointing out specific aspects you liked about the story, such as the interesting characters, exciting adventures, and clever use of animals.
2. Organization: You can gently explain the importance of structuring a story with a beginning, middle, and end. In this story, they’ve got that part right with “Once upon a time” as the beginning, the adventure in the middle, and “THE END” as the conclusion.
3. Descriptive Language: Highlight the use of descriptive words, like “attacking,” “tame,” and “terrorizing,” and encourage them to continue using more expressive language to make their stories even more engaging.
4. Sentence Length and Punctuation: Mention that they have a good mix of short and long sentences, which keeps the story flowing nicely. Point out a few instances where adding punctuation, like commas, can help make sentences clearer.
5. Creativity and Imagination: Celebrate their creativity in coming up with the idea of a cat and a character named Steve going on adventures together. Suggest that they keep exploring their imagination in future stories.
6. Character Development: Ask them to think about adding more details about Steve and the cat. What do they look like? What are their personalities like? Encourage them to add these details to make the characters even more relatable and fun for readers.
7. Setting Description: Encourage the writer to include more details about the theme park and the village. What does the village look like? Are there any unique features in the theme park? Painting a vivid picture of the setting can immerse the readers in the story.
8. Consistency: The writer did a great job being consistent with the story’s events, such as taming animals with fish and using a saddle to ride a pig.
9. Revisiting the Introduction: Remind them that the beginning of a story introduces the main characters and sets the stage for the adventure. They did well in the first few sentences by introducing Steve, but they could also add a bit more about the village or Steve’s background.
10. Conclusion: Encourage the writer to give a satisfying conclusion to the story. They did this by making Steve the king, but they could also consider tying up any loose ends or emphasizing the bond between Steve and the cat.

Overall, this is an imaginative and engaging story, and the young writer shows great potential. Encourage them to keep writing and exploring their creativity!

-ChatGPT

[Slow clap] Bravo [or Brava], ChatGPT for encouraging both the child and the parent and providing specific, positive feedback while affirming the writer’s voice and choices.

I was seriously impressed with this particular response. But I do want to note that I haven’t tested this use of ChatGPT extensively.

Compare and contrast curricula choices

Elevate Science and Elemental Science are both popular curricula designed for homeschoolers, but they have some differences in their approaches and content. Let’s use ChatGPT to compare and contrast them:

1. Approach:
   • Elevate Science: Elevate Science is a comprehensive science curriculum that focuses on inquiry-based learning. It emphasizes hands-on investigations, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It provides a structured approach to science education with clear lesson plans and teacher resources.
   • Elemental Science: Elemental Science follows a classical approach to science education. It incorporates living books, real-life examples, and narration to engage students in scientific concepts. It aims to cultivate a love for science by connecting it to history, literature, and nature.
2. Scope and Sequence:
   • Elevate Science: Elevate Science covers a wide range of scientific topics, including life science, physical science, Earth science, and engineering. It provides a comprehensive curriculum from kindergarten through middle school, ensuring a smooth progression of concepts and skills.
   • Elemental Science: Elemental Science offers different programs for various grade levels, focusing on specific science disciplines each year. It provides flexibility in choosing topics and allows customization based on the student’s interests and readiness.
3. Hands-on Activities:
   • Elevate Science: Elevate Science incorporates hands-on experiments and activities to reinforce concepts and develop scientific skills. It provides materials and resources for conducting experiments and investigations.
   • Elemental Science: Elemental Science encourages hands-on learning through simple experiments and nature study. It emphasizes practical activities and observation to foster a deeper understanding of scientific principles.
4. Teacher Support:
   • Elevate Science: Elevate Science offers comprehensive teacher resources, including lesson plans, activity guides, assessments, and online resources. It provides support for planning, instruction, and assessment.
   • Elemental Science: Elemental Science provides teacher guides and schedules that outline the materials needed, recommended resources, and discussion questions. It offers guidance for implementing the curriculum effectively.
5. Integration with Other Subjects:
   • Elevate Science: Elevate Science connects science to real-world applications and integrates with other subjects, such as math, literacy, and technology. It provides cross-curricular activities and resources.
   • Elemental Science: Elemental Science integrates science with history, literature, and nature study, providing opportunities for interdisciplinary connections. It emphasizes the connections between scientific concepts and the broader world.

And, finally, straight from the horse’s mouth . . .

Who better to ask how ChatGPT can help homeschooling parents than ChatGPT itself?

What are some of the best ways a homeschooling parent can use ChatGPT to save time, make homeschooling easier, and increase the quality of their child’s educational experience?

-Me

1. Personalized lesson planning: ChatGPT can help you create customized lesson plans based on your child’s individual learning needs and interests. Simply provide information about their strengths, weaknesses, and preferences, and ChatGPT can generate tailored lesson ideas and activities.
2. Answering questions and explaining concepts: When your child has questions about a subject or topic, you can use ChatGPT to get detailed explanations and examples. This can be particularly helpful in subjects where you might not have expertise.
3. Research assistance: When preparing for lessons or projects, ChatGPT can quickly find relevant information and credible sources. It can help you gather data for science experiments, historical research, or any other subject matter.
4. Language learning support: If your child is learning a new language, ChatGPT can provide practice exercises, offer grammar tips, and engage in conversation to improve language skills.
5. Writing assistance: ChatGPT can be a valuable tool for developing writing skills. Your child can practice writing essays, creative stories, or even journal entries, and ChatGPT can provide feedback and suggest improvements.
6. Interactive learning games: ChatGPT can create fun and educational games for your child to play, reinforcing their knowledge in a playful manner.
7. Virtual field trips: While actual field trips might not always be feasible, ChatGPT can simulate virtual field trips, allowing your child to “visit” historical landmarks, museums, or famous places.
8. Coding and programming: If your child is interested in computer science, ChatGPT can assist with coding exercises and problem-solving in programming languages.
9. Critical thinking exercises: Engage with ChatGPT to present your child with thought-provoking questions and scenarios that encourage critical thinking and analytical skills.
10. Staying organized: Use ChatGPT to create schedules, set reminders, and manage your homeschooling routine more effectively.
11. Encourage creativity: ChatGPT can spark creativity by assisting your child with brainstorming ideas for art projects, science experiments, or any other creative endeavor.

-ChatGPT

---

There you have it, friends. I would love to hear about your experience, good or bad, using ChatGPT as a homeschool aid (or, perhaps in this case, it’s “aide”). Please, drop me an email if you do!

Just remember, It’s a tool like any other. It has its benefits and its limitations. My best tip? Think of ChatGPT not as a search engine but as your assistant. And treat it as such: train it right and double-check its work.

Bottom-Line Tips

• Use ChatGPT like an assistant, not a search engine. Think tasks that need doing rather than just questions that need answers.
• Be specific! Don’t be afraid to give lots of detail about what you want.
• Keep drilling down. Don’t just accept the first response you’re given. Continue to edit your prompt until you really hit pay dirt.
• Think personalization. The more your assistant knows you the more personalized help it can give you.
• Keep your chats organized. Start a new one for each new topic, but return to a previous chat thread when revisiting that topic.
• Fact check the facts. Or, better still, use your new assistant for finding resources, then find your own facts.
• Break down big projects by creating specific, individual prompts for each bite-sized step.
• Did I mention be specific?