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Lesson Plan Templates

Free lesson plan templates you can print, fill in on your computer, or open as an editable plan in EMStudio.

Lesson PlanFree

Google Docs Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Weekly Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

BTLPT Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Sub Plans Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

5E Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Simple Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

ASCA Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Daily Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Emergency Sub Plans Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Blank Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Madeline Hunter Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

edTPA Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

SIOP Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

UDL Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Small Group Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Physical Education Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Special Education Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Danielson Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Creative Curriculum Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Math Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Monthly Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

ESL Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Orton-Gillingham Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Art Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Infant Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Music Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Science Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word
Lesson PlanFree

Mini-Lesson Plan Template

PDF · Google Docs · Word

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What Goes in a Lesson Plan

Whatever template you pick, most lesson plans cover the same ten parts. Here is what each one is for.

Lesson Plan
Learning Objective
Standards
Materials
Opening
Teaching
Guided Practice
Independent Practice
Check for Understanding
Differentiation
Closing
The ten parts of a lesson plan, in teaching order.
  1. Learning ObjectiveWhat students will be able to do by the end, in one sentence.
  2. StandardsThe curriculum standard the lesson works toward.
  3. MaterialsEverything you need to print, gather or set up.
  4. OpeningA short hook that gets students thinking and links to what they already know.
  5. TeachingHow you will explain or model the new idea.
  6. Guided PracticeStudents try it with your support.
  7. Independent PracticeStudents try it on their own.
  8. Check for UnderstandingHow you will know who got it: an exit ticket, a quick question, or watching them work.
  9. DifferentiationChanges for students who need more support or more challenge.
  10. ClosingRecap the objective and preview what comes next.

Which Template Should I Use?

Pick by what you are planning and who is in the room.

Which lesson plan template to use
TemplateBest ForHow It Is Laid Out
Daily Lesson PlanPlanning one lesson in detail, new teachers, observed lessonsObjective, materials, activities and a check for understanding on one page
Weekly Lesson PlanSeeing the whole week at onceWeekly goals at the top, then a column for each day
5E Lesson PlanScience and inquiry lessonsEngage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate
Madeline Hunter Lesson PlanDirect instruction, taught step by stepSeven steps from the objective to independent practice
SIOP Lesson PlanClasses with English learnersContent and language objectives, vocabulary, interaction, review
UDL Lesson PlanPlanning for a wide range of learners from the startGoal and barriers, then engagement, representation, action and expression
Small Group Lesson PlanGuided reading and math groupsOne row per group: students, focus skill, activity, notes
Sub PlansA day when you are outSchedule, lesson plans, routines, students to know, emergency info

How to Write a Lesson Plan, Step by Step

Six steps that work with any of the templates above.

  1. Start with the Objective

    Write one sentence that starts "Students will be able to…" and uses a verb you can see, like explain, compare or solve.

  2. Check the Standard

    Match the objective to the standard it supports, so the lesson fits the bigger plan for the year.

  3. Decide How You Will Check Learning

    Plan the exit ticket or final question before the activities, so every activity leads to it.

  4. Plan the Activities

    Opening, teaching, guided practice, then independent practice, with a rough time for each.

  5. Plan for Different Learners

    Note supports like sentence starters or partner work, and an extension for students who finish early.

  6. Reflect Afterwards

    Write two lines on what worked and what to change, so the next version of the lesson starts better.

Writing Good Learning Objectives

A good objective says what students will do, in a way you can see or check.

Too VagueStudents will learn about fractions.
Clear and CheckableStudents will be able to place fractions with denominators of 2, 4 and 8 on a number line.
Too VagueStudents will understand the water cycle.
Clear and CheckableStudents will be able to draw and label the four main stages of the water cycle.
Too VagueStudents will read a story.
Clear and CheckableStudents will be able to retell the beginning, middle and end of a story in their own words.
Too VagueStudents will know their times tables.
Clear and CheckableStudents will be able to solve 20 multiplication facts from 0 to 5 in two minutes.

Lesson Plan Questions