Giving ChatGPT a try!

I used ChatGPT and asked it initially for "give me a lesson plan on how to locate a central idea in a short piece of fiction".  It immediately prompted me with grade level or reading level.  I appreciate that! 

I typed in 11th grade and It gave me a very basic lesson plan.  Here it is:
Lesson Plan: Locating the Central Idea in FictionObjective: Students will identify and analyze the central idea in a short piece of fiction.Materials:

• Short fiction piece (e.g., a short story or excerpt)
• Whiteboard/markers
• Handouts with guided questions

Introduction (10 minutes):

1. Briefly explain the concept of a central idea.
2. Discuss how the central idea reflects the author’s ultimate message or theme.

Activity (20 minutes):

1. Distribute the short fiction piece.
2. Read the text aloud or have students read silently.
3. Use guided questions to help students delve into the text:
   • What is the main conflict or problem?
   • How do the characters’ actions contribute to this conflict?
   • What is the resolution?
4. Have students discuss in pairs or small groups.

Discussion (15 minutes):

1. Share findings as a class.
2. Analyze how the central idea ties together the characters, setting, and plot.
3. Write the central idea on the board and connect it to specific examples from the text.

Conclusion (5 minutes):

1. Summarize the key points of identifying a central idea.
2. Assign a brief reflection or write-up on how the central idea enhances their understanding of the text.

Assessment: Evaluate students’ participation in discussions and their written reflections to gauge their grasp of identifying the central idea.


Then I asked it to give me an example of a short piece of fiction.  It immediately suggested "The Lottery".  Very basic piece - and used at younger grade levels.  So I asked it to give me one with a higher reading level.  

It provided three typical 11th grade responses:  "The Yellow Wallpaper", "A Good Man is Hard to Find", and "The Most Dangerous Game".  I then typed in "any minority authors?"  It returned with "The Necklace" (another over used short story!), an Edgar Allan Poe story, a Stephen King story (he is a minority????? but then ChatGPT explained that the story is about minorities - aaaahhhhh I see what it is doing!), and a few other authors I would need to read but I appreciate the diversity.  

All in all a successful launching point for me!