When Good Prompts Go Weird

This worksheet is designed for Grades 6, 7, and 8 to help students analyze what happens when AI prompts contain unrealistic demands, contradictions, or unclear instructions. Through prediction, explanation, and critical analysis, learners explore how prompt quality affects AI output while strengthening skills in reading comprehension, cause-and-effect reasoning, writing revision, and technology literacy.

Learning Goals

• Evaluating Faulty Instructions (Grades 6-8)
  Students analyze prompts that are vague, conflicting, or impossible to satisfy and identify what went wrong.
• Diagnosing Prompt Quality
  Learners determine whether failures stem from lack of clarity, logical contradictions, or unrealistic expectations.
• Understanding Prompt Limitations
  Activities reinforce how AI systems depend on clear, logical instructions to generate usable responses.
• Cause & Effect Reasoning
  Students explain how specific prompt problems lead directly to broken, confusing, or chaotic outputs.

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource
  Designed by educators to make prompt troubleshooting engaging and accessible.
• Creative “Lab” Theme
  The mad scientist framing increases engagement while supporting deep analysis.
• Supports Writing & Revision Skills
  Encourages students to think like editors and problem-solvers, not just users.
• Flexible Classroom Use
  Works well in ELA writing units, technology literacy lessons, or critical thinking activities.

This printable worksheet helps students strengthen skills in analysis, logic, revision, and responsible technology use. By examining why even “good” prompts can go wrong, learners gain insight into the importance of clear, realistic, and well-structured instructions. It’s a practical, no-prep resource that works effectively in both classroom and homeschool settings while supporting thoughtful and effective AI communication.

This worksheet is part of our Understanding Prompt Outputs Worksheets collection.