5E Online Lesson Plan Template

Transform your virtual lessons with our structured 5E Lesson Plan Template, designed to guide students through a complete learning cycle using the research-backed 5E instructional model.

What is 5E?

The 5E instructional model is a science-based teaching framework that organizes lessons into five critical phases, all beginning with the letter "e": Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. This research-backed approach, developed by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS), creates student-centered learning experiences that foster deeper conceptual understanding through inquiry and active participation.

• Engage: Capture students' interest and activate prior knowledge

• Explore: Allow students to investigate concepts through hands-on activities

• Explain: Introduce key concepts and vocabulary while building understanding

• Elaborate: Apply concepts to new situations and deepen understanding

• Evaluate: Assess student comprehension and lesson effectiveness

The 5E model has been proven effective across grade levels and subject areas, particularly in STEM education where inquiry-based learning is essential.

About the Template

The 5E Lesson Plan Template transforms your Lessonspace whiteboard into a comprehensive planning tool that guides both teachers and students through all phases of the 5E model. This visually organized template features:

• Clearly defined sections for each phase of the 5E model

• Dedicated spaces for objectives, resources, and directions

• Intuitive layout that flows logically from engagement to evaluation

• Easy-to-edit sticky notes for customized lesson content

• Collaborative features that support real-time planning with colleagues

Whether you're teaching science, math, language arts, or any subject that benefits from structured inquiry, this template provides the framework you need to create engaging, effective virtual lessons.

How to Use the 5E Lesson Plan Template

1. Preview the Template: Click the "Preview" button to explore the layout before implementing it in your classroom.

2. Add to Your Library: Select "Add to My Library" to save the template to your resources for easy access.

3. Customize Each Section: Double-click the sticky notes in each section to edit:

   • Add specific learning objectives for each phase

   • Include detailed directions for activities

   • Link to external resources or content

   • Set time allocations for each section

4. Plan Your Lesson Flow:

   • Engage: Add attention-grabbing questions, demonstrations, or prompts

   • Explore: Outline investigative activities and guiding questions

   • Explain: Detail key concepts and clarifications

   • Elaborate: Create extension activities that apply new knowledge

   • Evaluate: Design assessment strategies and success criteria

5. Present During Class: Use the completed plan to guide students through each phase of the lesson, keeping them informed of the learning journey.

6. Collaborate and Iterate: Share your plan with colleagues for feedback, or save versions to refine your approach over time.

5E Lesson Plan Template FAQs

1. Is this template suitable for all subject areas? While originally developed for science education, the 5E model has proven effective across subjects. This template can be adapted for any content area that benefits from inquiry-based instruction, including math, language arts, social studies, and more.

2. How do I access this template? Click "Preview" to explore the template. From preview mode, you can launch a new Space with the template. Alternatively, click "Add to My Library" to save it for later use. New users will be prompted to start a free trial when accessing the template.

3. Can I customize the look and layout? Yes! The template includes instructions for changing colors, and you can modify the layout to suit your specific teaching style, subject area, and lesson requirements.

4. Is this template appropriate for all grade levels? The 5E instructional model is effective from elementary through higher education. This template can be adapted by adjusting the complexity and depth of activities for different age groups and learning objectives.

5. Can students interact with the lesson plan during class? Yes, if you choose to allow it. When you share your whiteboard during a Lessonspace session, students can view the lesson plan and even contribute if permitted. For a more controlled environment, you can lock elements to prevent modifications.

6. How can I save completed lesson plans for future use? Your completed lesson plans are automatically saved within your Lessonspace account. You can duplicate successful plans as starting points for new lessons or create a library of exemplars for different topics.

7. Is this template free to use? Yes, this template is available to all users with an active Lessonspace subscription or trial.

8. Can I collaborate with other teachers on lesson planning? Absolutely! Lessonspace's collaborative features allow multiple educators to work simultaneously on lesson planning, making it ideal for grade-level teams, department collaboration, or co-teaching arrangements.