Lesson planning: Most teachers either love it or hate it. Either way, it’s something every teacher has to spend at least some time doing, so it’s worth learning to do it well. We’ve gathered this collection of lesson plan examples to offer inspiration for every subject and grade level. Whether you’re looking for a daily lesson plan example for elementary or a detailed sample lesson plan for high school, you’ll find them all here!
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Lesson Plan Templates
Take a look at our roundup of lesson plan examples for inspiration, then grab this bundle with five fully customizable templates to make your own lesson planning easier!
How To Write a Lesson Plan in 5 Simple Steps
OK, we’re not saying it’s necessarily easy to create lesson plans. Coming up with the ideas, the activities, the assessments—all of that takes time and dedication. But writing them down can actually be the easy part! Follow these lesson-planning steps to capture everything you need to know. (Don’t forget to grab our free printables to make the whole process a snap!)
1. Write a clear learning objective
Learning objectives should be specific and measurable, often following the SMART goal format. They often align with Common Core or other learning standards. Once you’ve set your objective, everything else in your lesson plan should support that goal. Find tips for writing learning objectives here.
2. List your materials and resources
List any items you’ll need, such as worksheets or handouts, school supplies, etc. Including a detailed list here will help you make sure you’re ready to teach, with everything close at hand. Include things like:
- Printables: Handouts, worksheets, exit tickets, etc.
- Visual Aids: Slideshows, anchor charts, etc.
- Resources: Books, videos, website links, etc.
- Materials: Art supplies, lab equipment, etc.
- Prep: Seating arrangements, activity setup, etc.
3. Lay out the lesson structure and activities
This is usually the longest section, where you’ll lay out what the lesson and its activities look like. Some teachers write these in great detail. Others include just an overview to help them plan. Looking at the lesson plan example ideas here will help you decide what works best for you.
Generally, this section usually includes:
- Introduction: How will you get things started? Try to find a way to grab students’ interest right from the beginning.
- Direct Instruction: Provide information and demonstrate new skills using a variety of resources.
- Guided Practice: Help students try the new skills with gradually decreasing support.
- Independent Practice: Provide opportunities for students to try skills or test their knowledge on their own, with immediate feedback as needed.
- Wrap-Up: Draw things to a close, emphasizing important points and laying out any next steps like homework or other assignments.
Learn how to make time for more creativity in your lesson planning with these 40 ideas!
4. Describe learning assessments
How will you assess your students’ learning and find out how well they’ve met your stated objective? Include a variety of formative assessments so you can check for understanding and adjust your teaching as needed. Need some ideas? Find a whole list of formative assessment options here!
5. Plan for differentiation
Describe how you’ll vary the level of difficulty for students at all levels. How will you accommodate those who find the material more difficult, and how will you challenge those who breeze right through? Learn more about how to differentiate your lesson here.
With those guidelines in mind, take a closer look at a variety of lesson plan examples in action, then start creating your own!
Preschool Lesson Plan Examples
Some people think preschool is just playtime, but pre-K teachers know better! Here are some of the ways preschool teachers plan for their lessons.
Elementary Lesson Plan Examples
Since elementary teachers tackle multiple subjects every day, their lesson plans might look like a general overview. Or they may prepare more detailed lesson plans for each topic to help them stay on track. The choice is up to you.
Middle and High School Lesson Plan Examples
At the middle and high school levels, teachers often need more detailed plans for each class, which they may teach multiple times a day. Here are some examples to try.
Don’t forget to grab your free customizable lesson plan template bundle!
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