Need a way to summarize a topic in a way that may reach your students in a way that you may not have tried?

Ever been working with your class / student / or your own children and they just don't seem to be getting the topic you are working with them on? Recently my 9th grade daughter has had some tests on topics that I have not studied in over 30 years (example - how progressive was Teddy Roosevelt and what was his vision). While there are a few things I remember, I would need to do some research to jog my memory While yes this does work, if there are numerous questions and you would like a way to quickly access the question - try asking chatgpt the question. The tip I have found is to ask it in a way that may give some similes or metaphors - and the way I found is to ask it to explain the topic to a 3rd grader.

Embedded below is a video followed by two examples.

Explain how progressive President Teddy Roosevelt was and his vision to a third grader.

ChatGPT

Alright kiddo, imagine your favorite superhero. They want to make sure everyone in the city is treated fairly, right? Well, a long time ago, there was a president named Teddy Roosevelt. He was kind of like a superhero for America back then.

Fair Play: Teddy believed that big businesses shouldn’t bully the smaller ones. Just like in a game, he wanted everyone to have a fair chance to win.

Nature Lover: Teddy loved nature, trees, animals, and parks. He wanted to make sure we had special places to visit and enjoy nature. So, he set aside lots of land to be protected as national parks.

Healthier Foods: You know how your parents check labels on food to make sure they're safe to eat? Teddy wanted that too! He helped make rules so that our food and medicines are safe.

Hard Worker: Teddy believed that everyone should be treated fairly at work, with good conditions and fair pay.

Peace and Friendships: Teddy thought that countries should talk and be friends rather than fight. He won a special prize, called the Nobel Peace Prize, for helping countries make peace.

So, Teddy Roosevelt was like a superhero president who wanted America to be a fair, safe, and beautiful place for everyone. He had a big vision to make things better for all people and nature.

I would like you to answer the question as a 10 grade student in a US History class who has a test coming up. One of the test questions is about  President Theodore Roosevelt - Vision - how progressive

ChatGPT

Alright, let's break it down like I'm a 10th grader!

President Theodore Roosevelt and His Progressive Vision

Theodore Roosevelt, often known as "Teddy", was the 26th President of the United States, and he served from 1901 to 1909. Roosevelt is super important because he was a major figure in the Progressive Movement, which was all about reforming and improving society.

Why was Roosevelt Progressive?

Trust Busting: Big businesses had too much power, so Teddy stepped in to break up monopolies. He wanted to make sure businesses played fair. His administration went after big companies like Standard Oil and the Northern Securities Company.

Conservation: Teddy loved the outdoors (he even inspired the teddy bear because he refused to shoot a tied-up bear on a hunting trip). He wanted to protect the environment for future generations. He created the U.S. Forest Service and established many national parks, forests, and monuments.

Consumer Protection: After a book called "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair came out, which talked about the gross conditions in meatpacking plants, Roosevelt pushed for the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act. These laws made sure food and medicine were safe for people.

Square Deal: This was Teddy's domestic program. He believed in giving everyone a fair chance. The Square Deal had three main goals: conservation of natural resources, control of corporations, and consumer protection (kinda like the three Cs).

Why does this matter?

Roosevelt's progressive vision reshaped the role of the president and the federal government. Before him, presidents didn't really interfere too much with businesses. But Teddy believed the government should play a role in fixing problems in society. He set the stage for future presidents to be more involved in things like the economy, social issues, and the environment.