How do you ask AI a good question?

Teach it this week

AI

How do you ask AI a good question?

Big idea: Vague questions get vague answers. Add context, ask for options and sources, then check.

Background for the teacher or parent: Microsoft says a prompt can include a goal, context, a source and expectations. OpenAI suggests asking "for sources when you need to check the result." See Microsoft: Get started writing prompts and OpenAI: Prompting.

Classroom version (10 minutes)

• Objective: Turn a vague question into a clear one, without private details.
• Hook (2 min): Compare "Tell me about volcanoes" with "Explain how volcanoes form to a fifth grader in three sentences." Which helps more?
• Explain (3 min): Four upgrades: who it's for, what format, options, sources. No names or personal details.
• Activity (4 min): Pairs upgrade three vague questions on paper, two upgrades each.
• Exit ticket (1 min): Write one follow-up to ask if an answer seemed wrong.

Try it together (no screens needed): Play "Make the question better." Someone says a vague question, like "What's a good book?" Each person adds one detail (age, length, topic) until it's clear. No real names.

Family action: This week, ask one real question the better way together, then check one fact. Our rule of thumb: if a helper who's never met you couldn't answer it, add more context.

Use made-up details, never type passwords or personal information into AI, and check each tool's age rules. Free to use; please keep the source credit.