🔗 Prompt Chains
Build on responses — Don't start over each time!
❌ DON'T DO THIS
New chat → Write IEP goal
New chat → Write objectives
New chat → Write data sheet
⚠ Starting over = lost context!
✅ DO THIS INSTEAD
Same chat → Write IEP goal
→ "Now add objectives"
→ "Now create a data sheet"
✅ Building = Gemini remembers!
📝 EXAMPLE: IEP Goal Development
"Write a measurable reading fluency goal for a 3rd grader at 45 wpm → 75 wpm"
🍀 GEMINI: [Writes complete annual goal with measurement criteria]
👤 YOU:
"Now add 3 short-term objectives at 55, 65, and 75 wpm"
🍀 GEMINI: [Adds objectives that match the goal it remembers!]
👤 YOU:
"Create a weekly progress monitoring sheet"
🍀 GEMINI: [Creates data sheet aligned to the 55/65/75 benchmarks]
👤 YOU:
"Write a parent-friendly summary for the IEP meeting"
🍀 GEMINI: [Summarizes everything in simple terms!]
- "Now add..."
- "Based on that..."
- "Now modify to..."
Use these to keep building without losing context!
🚀 TRY THIS NOW
"Write a behavior plan for a student who calls out. Then say: 'Now add a self-monitoring checklist' and 'Now write a social story'"
💡 Watch Gemini build a complete behavior toolkit in one conversation!
⚙ How to Create & Use Gems
Build custom AI experts that remember your instructions
😟 WITHOUT A GEM
Every. Single. Time:
"I'm a 3rd grade SPED teacher, my students have autism and need visual supports, use simple language, include picture descriptions..."
☑ WITH A GEM
Just say:
"Create a lesson on fractions"
Your Gem already knows everything else! ✨
💻 CREATE A GEM — Step by Step
CLICK: Explore Gems
In the left sidebar of gemini.google.com, find and click 'Explore Gems' or the ✨ icon
CLICK: New Gem
At the top of the Gems page, click the '+ New Gem' button
FILL IN: Name & Instructions
Name your Gem something clear like 'IEP Goal Writer'. Write instructions telling it WHO you are, WHAT you need, HOW to respond.
CLICK: Save
Test in the preview, then click SAVE. Your Gem appears in the left sidebar!
💻 6 SPED GEM IDEAS — Copy These Instructions!
| Gem Idea | Instructions |
|---|---|
| IEP Goal Expert | "You help write measurable IEP goals. Always include: baseline, annual goal, 3 objectives, measurement criteria." Upload: State standards PDF |
| Behavior Plan Builder | "You create positive behavior support plans. Include: target behavior, function, replacement, reinforcement, data collection." Upload: FBA template |
| Content Differentiator | "You adapt content for learning disabilities. Create 3 versions: below, on, and above level. Keep content same, adjust supports." Upload: Curriculum guides |
| Bilingual Adapter | "You adapt materials for ELL students. Provide Spanish/English versions, simplify vocabulary, add visual supports." Upload: Vocabulary lists |
| Life Skills Creator | "You create life skills materials. Use simple language, picture supports, task analysis with numbered steps." Upload: Task analysis templates |
| Parent Communicator | "You write parent communications. Use positive, strengths-based language. Be warm, professional, avoid jargon." Upload: Sample letters |
🚀 TRY THIS NOW
"Create your first Gem right now! Start with 'IEP Goal Expert' — it will save you hours."
💡 You can always edit your Gem later. Start simple and add more instructions over time.
🍀 Gemini Features You Should Know
Beyond basic chat — unlock the full power of Gemini
| 🗎 CANVAS | Create documents, code, and apps in an interactive editor. Export directly to Google Docs or Slides. Try: "Create a lesson plan in Canvas" |
| 🔎 DEEP RESEARCH | In-depth research on any topic. Can pull from your Gmail, Drive, and Chat for context. Try: "Deep research autism classroom strategies" |
| 🎥 AUDIO OVERVIEW | Turn documents into podcast-style discussions. Two AI hosts explain your content — great for learning on the go. Try: Upload IEP guide → "Create Audio Overview" |
| 🖼 IMAGE GENERATION | Create visual supports, social story images, and picture cards. Describe what you need and Gemini generates it. Try: "Generate image of child raising hand in class" |
| 🔂 EXTENSIONS | Connect Gemini to Gmail, Drive, Docs, Calendar, Keep, Tasks. Use @ to reference files: @Drive, @Gmail. Try: "@Drive find my IEP template and summarize" |
| 📁 FILE UPLOAD | Upload PDFs, images, docs directly to Gemini for analysis. Get summaries, extract info, or use as context. Try: Upload curriculum PDF → "Create adapted version" |
🍀 GEMINI IN GOOGLE CLASSROOM (30+ Tools)
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Lesson Plans | Generate first drafts based on topic & grade |
| Rubric Generator | Paste objective → get grading rubric |
| Differentiation | "Re-level" text for different reading levels |
| Vocabulary Lists | Generate words + definitions + examples |
| ? Quiz Generator | Create quizzes from lesson content |
| Hook Generator | Engaging openers for any lesson |
🗎 Canvas Deep Dive
Visual collaboration space for creating documents, code, and more
What is Canvas?
Canvas is a side-by-side workspace that appears next to your Gemini chat. Instead of just getting text responses, you get an editable document that you and Gemini can work on together in real-time.
Think of it as Google Docs + AI assistant combined!
How to Open Canvas
Start a new chat
Go to gemini.google.com and click '+ New chat'
Ask for a document
Request something that needs to be created: a lesson plan, letter, worksheet, etc.
Click 'Open Canvas'
When Gemini shows a preview, click the Canvas button that appears below the response
What Canvas Can Create
💾 DOCUMENTS
- Lesson plans
- Parent letters
- IEP goal drafts
- Newsletters
- Behavior plans
💻 CODE & INTERACTIVE
- HTML games
- Interactive activities
- Digital flashcards
- Matching games
- Quiz apps
Canvas Editing Commands
Once in Canvas, you can highlight text and ask Gemini to modify just that section:
| "Make this section simpler" | "Expand this paragraph" |
| "Rewrite in friendlier tone" | "Add bullet points here" |
| "Fix the grammar" | "Translate to Spanish" |
🚀 TRY THIS NOW
"Create a parent newsletter in Canvas! Say: "Create a monthly classroom newsletter template for a special education classroom. Include sections for: upcoming events, skill focus of the month, ways to help at home, and celebrating successes." Then open Canvas and edit different sections."
🖼 Image Generation
Create custom visuals for your classroom with AI
💬 WHAT YOU CAN CREATE
- Schedule icons
- Choice boards
- Emotion cards
- First-Then visuals
🎓 LEARNING AIDS
- Vocabulary cards
- Story illustrations
- Science diagrams
- Math manipulatives
🏪 CLASSROOM USE
- Reward images
- Transition cues
- Zone signs
- Task step images
How to Generate Images
Be specific about style
Say what kind of image: "cartoon", "realistic", "simple line drawing", "icon style"
Describe the content clearly
Include: subject, action, setting, colors, and mood
Specify educational context
Mention it's for students: "child-friendly", "classroom appropriate", "simple and clear"
Example Image Prompts
"Create a simple, colorful cartoon icon of a child washing hands. Use bold outlines, minimal details, white background. Style should match typical visual schedule cards used in special education classrooms."
😊 EMOTION CARDS< "Create a set of 4 simple cartoon faces showing: happy, sad, angry and scared. Use a diverse child's face, bright colors, exaggerated expressions that are easy to read. Child-friendly style, white background."
📖 VOCABULARY ILLUSTRATIONS
"Create a simple illustration of the word 'habitat' showing a forest scene with animals in their homes. Include a bird in a nest, rabbit in a burrow, and bear near a cave. Colorful, educational style, labeled sections."
- AI cannot create images of real people (no student photos!)
- Request "diverse representation" to get inclusive images
- Say "white background" if you plan to print and cut out images
- If the first image isn't right, describe what to change: "Make it simpler" or "Use brighter colors"
- Right-click to save images, or ask Gemini to create multiple variations
🚀 TRY THIS NOW
"Create your first visual support! Try: "Create a simple First-Then board template. Show two boxes side by side labeled 'FIRST' and 'THEN' with space for images. Use bold colors, clear design, suitable for laminating.""
📚 NotebookLM Guide
AI-powered study materials from your documents
📁 SPED USES FOR NOTEBOOKLM
| UPLOAD THIS | GET THIS |
|---|---|
| Curriculum guide PDF | Audio overview to share with paras, Study guide with key accommodations |
| Research articles on autism | Summary of evidence-based practices, ? FAQ for parent questions |
| State standards document | Flashcards for your own review, Mind map of standards alignment |
| Chapter from textbook | Flashcards + ? Quiz for students, assignable in Google Classroom! |
📚 HOW TO USE — 3 Simple Steps
UPLOAD: Add Your Sources
Go to notebooklm.google → New Notebook → Upload PDFs, Docs, or paste website links
CLICK: Choose What to Create
Open the Studio panel → Click Audio Overview, Study Guide, Flashcards, or Quiz
SHARE: Use or Assign
Download, share link, or assign directly in Google Classroom!
🚀 TRY THIS NOW
"Upload a curriculum guide PDF to NotebookLM. Click 'Audio Overview' to create a podcast-style explanation you can share with your paras!"
💡 Audio Overviews are great for staff training and parent communication.
🔍 Where to Find Everything
Visual guide to navigating Gemini
| SETTING | HOW TO FIND IT |
|---|---|
| Enable Extensions | Settings (gear icon) → Extensions → Toggle ON for Drive, Gmail, Docs, Calendar |
| Access Canvas | Below the prompt bar → Click 'Canvas' button → Or type 'Create in Canvas' |
| Use Deep Research | Below prompt bar → Click 'Deep Research' → Select sources (web, Drive, Gmail) |
| Reference Files | Type @ in your prompt → @Drive, @Gmail, @Docs → Select specific file |
| Upload Files Directly | Click + button or 📎 paperclip next to prompt bar → Upload from device |