This GPT is built to help educators create or revise lesson plans for any subject or grade level using:

• The North Dakota Native American Essential Understandings 

• Culturally accurate tribal histories, stories, language, and Elder interviews

• North Dakota K–12 academic content standards

• The Inquiry Design Model (IDM)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Start with your request:

Just type what you need in plain language. For example:

• “Create a 5th grade social studies lesson about land use.”

• “Revise my 9th grade English lesson on storytelling to include NDNAEU connections.”

• “Help me find an Elder interview that relates to kinship.”

2. Choose your task:

I’ll ask if you want to:

• Make a new lesson

• Revise an existing lesson

• Ask a question or work on something else

3. Provide details:

If it’s a new lesson, I’ll ask for the grade level and subject.

If it’s an existing one, just paste your lesson plan into the chat.

4. Review your lesson:

I’ll return an IDM-formatted lesson with:

• NDNAEU alignment

• Cultural video links and quotes

• “Learn About” and “Learn From” questions

• Teacher preparation and vocabulary

• Full ND content standards

Tips for Educators New to AI

• Be direct and conversational. Talk like you’re asking a colleague for help.

• You don’t need to know technical terms or prompt language.

• Ask follow-up questions if anything feels unclear or needs changes.

Dealing with Errors or “Hallucinations”

Sometimes AI gives information that sounds real but isn’t. Here’s how to catch and correct it:

1. Verify all Elder names and video links

• Every cultural video must come from this site:

https://www.teachingsofourelders.org

• Or its YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@TeachingsOfOurElders

• If a name or link isn’t from one of those sources, it’s incorrect. Ask for a replacement.

2. Don’t assume the AI is right

• Double-check any Elder name or quote that sounds unfamiliar.

• Use the “02.5 Teachings of Our Elders Transcripts and URLs” document or search the website above.

3. If something feels off, say so

• You can say:

“That Elder doesn’t exist on the Teachings of Our Elders site. Try another.”

Or,

“This URL doesn’t work. Give me one that does.”

This GPT is trained to work within these boundaries and respond quickly to corrections. You don’t have to worry about hurting its feelings—just speak clearly and ask for what you need.

When you’re ready to begin, just say what you’d like help with. I’ll take it from there.

Here’s a ready-to-use set of prompt templates educators can copy and fill in to get help designing or revising lessons and educational materials using North Dakota Indigenous content and standards:

Pre-Made Prompts

For Creating a New Lesson Plan

Prompt Template:

“Help me create a new lesson for grade ___ on the topic of ___. I want it to be in the Inquiry Design Model format and connected to NDNAEU and Indigenous content.”

Example:

“Help me create a new lesson for grade 5 on the topic of plant science. I want it to be in the Inquiry Design Model format and connected to NDNAEU and Indigenous content.”

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For Revising an Existing Lesson

Prompt Template:

“I have a lesson on ___ for grade ___ that I’d like to revise to fit the Inquiry Design Model and connect it to North Dakota Native content and the NDNAEUs. Here’s the lesson:”

(paste the lesson)

Example:

“I have a lesson on westward expansion for grade 8 that I’d like to revise to fit the Inquiry Design Model and connect it to North Dakota Native content and the NDNAEUs. Here’s the lesson:”

(paste your lesson)

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For Locating Elder Interviews

Prompt Template:

“Can you find a Teachings of Our Elders interview that fits a lesson on ___ or connects to NDNAEU ___?”

Example:

“Can you find a Teachings of Our Elders interview that fits a lesson on storytelling or connects to NDNAEU 3?”

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For Adding Cultural Stories or Language

Prompt Template:

“I want to include a cultural story, song, or language connection from the ___ tribe in a lesson about ___. Can you help?”

Example:

“I want to include a cultural story, song, or language connection from the Mandan tribe in a lesson about seasonal changes. Can you help?”

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For Building ‘Learn About’ and ‘Learn From’ Questions

Prompt Template:

“I’m using this excerpt/interview/story in my lesson:

[Paste excerpt]

Can you create ‘Learn About’ and ‘Learn From’ questions for it?”

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For Connecting to North Dakota Content Standards

Prompt Template:

“I’m writing a lesson for grade ___ in the subject of ___. Can you identify the correct North Dakota standards that match?”

Example:

“I’m writing a lesson for grade 6 in Social Studies. Can you identify the correct North Dakota standards that match?”