About this exercise
Your 6th graders voted on discussion norms, and the top 4 go on a poster. Write exactly 4 numbered norms, ordered by vote count from highest, each starting with "We" and under 8 words, plain text. Count the votes from the tally (one class's tally was corrected), and phrase each norm as what students do, not what they don't. Write a prompt that gets you exactly that.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- No fixed shape. The AI lists all 6 with vote counts and commentary. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 4 numbered norms, nothing else."
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 40 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part instead: "each norm under 8 words."
- Missing the correction. Using 7 instead of 17 drops "everyone gets a turn" out of first place. Try: Add: "Use the corrected 17 for Period 4. Add both periods and order by total."
- Inconsistent wording. The AI mixes "Students should..." and "Always..." lines. Try: Add: "Start every norm with 'We'."
- Negative rules. The AI copies "Don't interrupt" as written. Try: Add: "Phrase each as what we do; no don't or no."
What a strong prompt includes
- Uses the correction
- Adds both periods
- Starts with We
- Phrases them positively
- Sets a word limit
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