S2 Technical, LLC

An example of using ChatGPT

By now you have most likely heard of ChatGPT. What's the big deal, you might ask?  

Let's take one example, let's give the system one 'prompt' and see what it can do. 

Here's the prompt we will use:

You are a teacher. Please generate a one page lesson plan for 5th grade students about solving decimals. 

ChatGPT is what I have taken to calling an amplifier. It's a very sophisticated model that can take a prompt like that above and give us this: 

-------------------

Lesson Plan: Solving Decimal Problems (5th Grade) Duration: 45 minutes

Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will be able to understand and solve decimal problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Materials:

  1. Whiteboard or blackboard
  2. Markers or chalk
  3. Projector or interactive whiteboard (optional)
  4. Decimal operation worksheets (printouts or digital copies)
  5. Pencils and erasers
  6. Small dry-erase boards (optional)

Introduction (5 minutes):

  1. Begin by writing a few decimal numbers on the board (e.g., 0.5, 0.25, 0.75).
  2. Ask the students if they can identify these numbers as decimals and what they represent (e.g., parts of a whole or money).
  3. Explain that decimals are a way of representing fractions, and today they will learn how to solve problems using decimals.

Direct Instruction (15 minutes):

  1. Write examples of decimal addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems on the board.
  2. Model the process of solving each problem step by step. a. For addition and subtraction: Align the decimal points and add or subtract as you would with whole numbers. b. For multiplication: Multiply the numbers as whole numbers, then count the total number of decimal places in both factors and place the decimal point in the product accordingly. c. For division: Move the decimal point in the divisor and dividend to the right until the divisor is a whole number, then divide as usual, placing the decimal point in the quotient directly above its position in the dividend.
  3. Emphasize the importance of aligning decimal points and keeping track of decimal places when solving problems.

Guided Practice (10 minutes):

  1. Distribute the decimal operation worksheets.
  2. Have students work on the first few problems individually or in pairs. Encourage them to use their dry-erase boards to practice aligning decimals and solving problems.
  3. Walk around the room to check for understanding and provide assistance as needed.

Independent Practice (10 minutes):

  1. Instruct the students to complete the remaining problems on their worksheets.
  2. Continue to monitor and assist as needed.

Closure (5 minutes):

  1. Review the key concepts of decimal operations, emphasizing the importance of aligning decimal points and counting decimal places.
  2. Ask students to share any tips or strategies they found helpful while solving decimal problems.
  3. Collect the worksheets and inform the students that they will receive feedback on their work.

Assessment: The completed decimal operation worksheets will serve as an assessment of the students' understanding and ability to solve decimal problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

-------------------

And that is just a small example of what it can do. You can direct the system to adopt a persona and adapt the language to any audience.

E.g., You are a teacher, teaching illiterate pirates. Please generate a one page lesson plan for this audience about solving decimals. 

-------------------

Lesson Plan: Introduction to Decimals for Illiterate Pirates Duration: 45 minutes

Objective: By the end of the lesson, students will understand the concept of decimals and be able to solve simple decimal problems using manipulatives and visual aids.

Materials:

  1. Whiteboard or blackboard
  2. Markers or chalk
  3. Bags of gold coins (10 coins each) or similar manipulatives
  4. Large paper or felt number line (0-10) with intervals marked for tenths
  5. Large cut-out or drawn decimal numbers
  6. Velcro or magnets to attach the numbers to the number line
  7. Visual aids (e.g., pictures of items with prices in decimals)

Introduction (5 minutes):

  1. Begin by showing the pirates a bag of gold coins (10 coins each) and ask them how they would divide the coins equally among their crewmates.
  2. Explain that today, they will learn about decimals, which are a way to represent parts of a whole (e.g., the gold coins).

Direct Instruction (15 minutes):

  1. Introduce the number line, pointing out the intervals marked for tenths. Explain that each interval represents one-tenth or 0.1.
  2. Demonstrate the concept of decimals by attaching the cut-out decimal numbers to the number line at the appropriate intervals.
  3. Use the gold coins to visually represent decimal numbers (e.g., 0.5 is 5 gold coins out of 10).
  4. Show the pirates pictures of items with prices in decimals (e.g., a parrot for 0.6 gold coins) and explain how decimals can represent prices.

Guided Practice (15 minutes):

  1. Divide the pirates into groups and provide each group with a bag of gold coins.
  2. Pose a series of simple decimal problems for the pirates to solve using their gold coins and the number line. For example: a. If you have 0.4 gold coins and find 0.3 more, how many gold coins do you have? b. If you have 0.8 gold coins and spend 0.2 gold coins, how many gold coins are left?
  3. Walk around the room to check for understanding and provide assistance as needed.

Independent Practice (5 minutes):

  1. Have each pirate come up with their own decimal problem, using their gold coins and the number line.
  2. Encourage the pirates to share their problems and solutions with their crewmates.

Closure (5 minutes):

  1. Review the concept of decimals and their importance in daily life, such as dividing treasure or buying supplies.
  2. Ask the pirates to share their thoughts on how understanding decimals can help them in their pirate adventures.
  3. Congratulate the pirates on their progress and encourage them to continue practicing their newfound decimal skills.

Assessment: Observation of the pirates' ability to use gold coins and the number line to solve decimal problems will serve as an assessment of their understanding of decimals. Additionally, the pirates' engagement in creating and solving their own decimal problems will provide further insight into their grasp of the concept.

-------------------

- Rob Thompson