Lesson Planning

5E Lesson Plan: Guide, Examples & Free Templates for Teachers

The 5E lesson plan model is one of the most effective inquiry-based instructional frameworks for K-12 education. Master the five phases -- Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate -- with our complete guide, free templates, and ready-to-use examples for science, math, and ELA.

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What Is a 5E Lesson Plan?

A 5E lesson plan is an inquiry-based instructional model with five phases: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. Developed by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) in 1987, the 5E model guides students to construct their own understanding through hands-on exploration before receiving direct instruction.

Unlike traditional lesson plans where the teacher presents information first, the 5E instructional model puts students in the driver's seat. Students begin by engaging with a thought-provoking hook, then explore the concept through hands-on activities before the teacher formally explains the underlying principles. This "explore before explain" approach leads to deeper conceptual understanding and better long-term retention.

The BSCS 5E model was originally designed for science education and aligns naturally with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). However, educators across all subject areas -- including math, English Language Arts, and social studies -- have adopted the framework with great success. The model is rooted in constructivist learning theory, which holds that learners build knowledge most effectively by actively constructing meaning from their experiences.

Whether you teach kindergarten or high school, the 5E lesson plan provides a research-backed structure that increases engagement, supports differentiation, and improves student outcomes across grade levels and disciplines.

The 5 Phases of the 5E Model Explained

Each phase serves a specific purpose in the learning cycle. Here is a deep dive into what happens in each "E" and how to implement it effectively.

Phase 1

Engage

Purpose

Capture student attention, stimulate curiosity, and activate prior knowledge. The Engage phase creates a need-to-know that motivates learning throughout the rest of the lesson.

Strategies

  • Pose a thought-provoking question or paradox
  • Show a surprising demonstration or phenomenon
  • Share a short video clip or compelling image
  • Present a real-world problem or news story
  • Conduct a KWL chart or anticipation guide
  • Use a discrepant event that challenges expectations

Example Activities

  • Show students ice melting at different rates on different surfaces and ask them to predict why
  • Present a mystery photo and have students generate questions about what they observe
  • Read a short scenario where a character faces a problem related to the lesson topic
  • Have students vote on a controversial statement related to the concept

Teacher Tips

Keep it brief: 5-10 minutes maximum
Do NOT teach the concept yet -- let curiosity build
Connect to students' real-world experiences
Ask open-ended questions rather than yes/no questions
Record student predictions to revisit later
Phase 2

Explore

Purpose

Provide students with hands-on experiences to investigate the concept. Students work collaboratively to discover patterns, test ideas, and build conceptual understanding before formal instruction.

Strategies

  • Hands-on lab experiments or investigations
  • Collaborative group problem-solving tasks
  • Guided inquiry with structured data collection
  • Station rotations with varied exploration activities
  • Simulations, models, or virtual labs
  • Close reading with annotation and discussion

Example Activities

  • Lab stations where students mix substances and record observations of chemical vs. physical changes
  • Groups measure and compare fractions using fraction bars, number lines, and pizza models
  • Students read two texts with opposing viewpoints and annotate evidence for each side
  • Pairs explore a simulation and record patterns they notice

Teacher Tips

Act as a facilitator, not an instructor
Circulate and ask probing questions without giving answers
Allow productive struggle -- resist the urge to rescue
Provide structured recording sheets for observations
Plan for 20-30 minutes of exploration time
Phase 3

Explain

Purpose

Provide formal explanations, introduce vocabulary, and help students make sense of their exploration experiences. This is where teacher-led direct instruction connects student discoveries to academic concepts.

Strategies

  • Mini-lecture connecting explorations to formal concepts
  • Student presentations sharing their findings
  • Interactive note-taking (Cornell notes, graphic organizers)
  • Vocabulary introduction with student-generated definitions
  • Think-pair-share discussions about key ideas
  • Concept mapping to organize new knowledge

Example Activities

  • Students share lab findings, then teacher introduces formal vocabulary for observed reactions
  • Class discussion connecting fraction manipulative work to mathematical notation and rules
  • Teacher models close reading strategy, then students articulate the technique in their own words
  • Groups create concept maps connecting new terms to their exploration observations

Teacher Tips

Always start by having students share what they discovered
Build explanations on student observations, not from scratch
Introduce formal vocabulary AFTER conceptual understanding
Use visual aids, diagrams, and models to support instruction
Check for understanding frequently with quick formative checks
Phase 4

Elaborate

Purpose

Challenge students to apply their understanding to new and more complex situations. The Elaborate phase deepens learning through transfer, extension, and real-world application.

Strategies

  • Apply concepts to real-world problems or scenarios
  • Design challenges or engineering tasks
  • Cross-curricular connections and projects
  • Research extensions or independent investigations
  • Creative presentations (poster, video, infographic)
  • Peer teaching or jigsaw activities

Example Activities

  • Students design an experiment to test a new variable using the same scientific principles
  • Apply fraction skills to a recipe-scaling challenge or budgeting problem
  • Write a persuasive essay using the text analysis skills from the Explore phase on a new topic
  • Create a public service announcement applying the science concept to a community issue

Teacher Tips

Make it different from Explore -- new context, higher complexity
Encourage student choice in how they demonstrate understanding
Provide scaffolds for struggling students and extensions for advanced learners
Connect to other subjects or real-world applications
This is a great phase for differentiation
Phase 5

Evaluate

Purpose

Assess student understanding through both formal and informal methods. Evaluation should be ongoing throughout all phases, with a summative component at the end to measure mastery of learning objectives.

Strategies

  • Exit tickets or one-minute papers
  • Performance tasks or lab reports
  • Quizzes or tests aligned to objectives
  • Student self-assessment and reflection
  • Portfolio entries or learning journals
  • Rubric-scored projects or presentations

Example Activities

  • Students complete a lab report explaining their findings using correct scientific vocabulary
  • Short quiz with conceptual questions (not just recall) about fractions
  • Written reflection: What did you learn? What questions do you still have?
  • Performance task where students apply the concept to an unfamiliar scenario

Teacher Tips

Assess throughout the lesson, not just at the end
Use a mix of formal and informal assessment methods
Revisit predictions from the Engage phase
Include higher-order thinking questions (analyze, evaluate, create)
Use results to inform next steps in instruction

5E Lesson Plan Template

Use this template as a starting point for your 5E lesson plans. Fill in each section to create a complete, standards-aligned lesson.

5E Lesson Plan

Inquiry-Based Instructional Framework

Subject / Topic
e.g., Science -- The Water Cycle
Grade Level
e.g., Grade 5
Standards
e.g., NGSS 5-ESS2-1
Duration
e.g., 3 class periods (45 min each)
Learning Objective
Students will be able to... (measurable, specific, aligned to standard)
1. Engage5-10 min

Hook / question / demonstration to spark curiosity and activate prior knowledge...

2. Explore20-30 min

Hands-on activity, lab, investigation, or group task for student discovery...

3. Explain15-25 min

Direct instruction, vocabulary, student sharing, concept formalization...

4. Elaborate20-30 min

Extension activity applying concepts to new context, real-world problem, or deeper challenge...

5. Evaluate10-20 min

Assessment method(s): exit ticket, quiz, project, self-assessment, rubric criteria...

Materials Needed
List all materials, handouts, technology...
Differentiation
ELL supports, advanced extensions, IEP accommodations...
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5E Lesson Plan Examples

Three complete 5E lesson plan examples across different subjects and grade levels. Use these as models for your own planning.

Science|Grade 5

The Water Cycle

Standard

NGSS 5-ESS2-1: Develop a model describing the water cycle

Learning Objective

Students will be able to describe the stages of the water cycle and explain how the sun's energy drives the process.

Engage

Show a sealed terrarium that has water droplets forming on the sides. Ask: Where did the water drops come from? Where does rain come from? Record predictions on chart paper.

Explore

Students create mini water cycles using zip-lock bags with a small amount of water, taped to a sunny window. Groups observe and sketch changes every 15 minutes for one class period. Record observations on a data sheet.

Explain

Students share observations. Teacher introduces vocabulary: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, collection. Class labels a large water cycle diagram connecting student observations to each stage. Students add vocabulary to science journals.

Elaborate

Students research what happens to the water cycle during a drought or extreme heat event. Groups create a poster showing how climate change could affect local water cycles. Extension: design a water collection system for their school garden.

Evaluate

Students draw, label, and explain their own water cycle diagram. Exit ticket: Explain how the sun drives the water cycle in 3-4 sentences using at least 3 vocabulary words. Teacher evaluates using a 4-point rubric.

Mathematics|Grade 3

Comparing Fractions

Standard

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.NF.A.3: Compare fractions with same numerator or denominator

Learning Objective

Students will be able to compare two fractions with the same numerator or denominator by reasoning about their size.

Engage

Present the 'Pizza Problem': Two students each get 1 slice of pizza. One pizza was cut into 4 slices, the other into 8. Who got more? Vote with thumbs up/down. Discuss disagreements.

Explore

Station rotations (4 stations, 8 min each): Station 1 -- Fraction bars: build and compare pairs. Station 2 -- Number line: place fractions and compare. Station 3 -- Paper folding: fold strips to make fractions, compare sizes. Station 4 -- Drawing: shade fraction circles and compare. Record findings on a recording sheet.

Explain

Gather students. Ask: What patterns did you notice? Guide discussion toward the rule: when numerators are the same, the fraction with the smaller denominator is larger (and vice versa). Introduce comparison symbols (<, >, =). Model with fraction bars on document camera.

Elaborate

Real-world fraction challenge: Students solve problems like 'Would you rather have 1/3 or 1/6 of a candy bar? 2/8 or 2/4 of an hour of recess?' Students must explain their reasoning in writing. Advanced: compare fractions with different numerators AND denominators using benchmarks.

Evaluate

10-question comparison quiz (compare fractions and explain reasoning for 3 problems). Self-assessment: students rate their confidence on a 1-4 scale and write one thing they learned. Teacher reviews recording sheets from Explore for formative data.

English Language Arts|Grade 7

Character Analysis

Standard

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.3: Analyze how particular elements of a story interact

Learning Objective

Students will be able to analyze how a character's traits, motivations, and actions contribute to the plot development.

Engage

Show two contrasting images of fictional characters (a hero and a villain). Ask: How do you know which is the hero? What clues do authors give us about characters? Brainstorm a class list of ways authors reveal character (dialogue, actions, thoughts, appearance, others' reactions).

Explore

Students read a short story excerpt in small groups. Using a character analysis graphic organizer, groups identify: character traits (with text evidence), character motivations, key actions and their consequences, how the character changes. Each group analyzes a different character from the same text.

Explain

Groups present their character analyses. Teacher introduces formal literary terms: direct characterization, indirect characterization, dynamic vs. static characters, protagonist/antagonist. Class creates an anchor chart. Teacher models a think-aloud analyzing one passage for characterization techniques.

Elaborate

Students independently analyze a character from their current independent reading book or a new short text. They write a character analysis paragraph using the RACE strategy (Restate, Answer, Cite evidence, Explain). Extension: compare two characters across different texts using a Venn diagram.

Evaluate

Character analysis essay (3 paragraphs): Introduce the character, analyze their traits with text evidence, and explain how the character's actions drive the plot. Rubric includes: use of text evidence (4 pts), literary vocabulary (3 pts), analysis depth (4 pts), writing conventions (3 pts). Peer review before final submission.

Benefits of the 5E Lesson Plan Model

Research consistently shows that the 5E instructional model improves student outcomes. Here is why thousands of teachers use it.

Deeper Understanding

Students construct their own understanding through exploration before instruction, leading to stronger conceptual knowledge and better long-term retention.

Increased Engagement

The Engage hook and hands-on Explore phase capture student interest from the start. Students are active participants, not passive listeners.

Built-In Assessment

The 5E model embeds assessment throughout every phase, giving teachers continuous data on student understanding rather than waiting until the end.

Standards Alignment

The inquiry-based structure aligns naturally with NGSS, Common Core, and most state standards that emphasize critical thinking and application.

Supports Differentiation

Each phase offers natural entry points for differentiation. The Explore and Elaborate phases are especially flexible for varied learner needs.

Research-Backed Results

Decades of research show the 5E model improves student achievement, scientific reasoning, and positive attitudes toward learning.

How to Write a 5E Lesson Plan (Step-by-Step)

Follow these seven steps to create an effective 5E lesson plan from scratch. Each step builds on the previous one to create a cohesive, inquiry-based lesson.

1

Identify your learning objective and standards

Start by selecting the specific standard(s) and measurable learning objective your lesson will address. This objective will guide every phase of your 5E lesson plan. Write it in student-friendly language: 'Students will be able to...'

2

Design the Engage phase

Create a 5-10 minute hook that sparks curiosity and activates prior knowledge. Use a surprising demonstration, thought-provoking question, real-world scenario, or short video. The goal is to generate interest without teaching the concept directly.

3

Plan the Explore activities

Design hands-on, student-centered activities that allow learners to investigate the concept. This could include lab experiments, manipulatives, simulations, group investigations, or guided inquiry tasks. Students should discover patterns and relationships on their own.

4

Prepare the Explain instruction

Plan your direct instruction to introduce formal vocabulary, definitions, and explanations after students have explored. Connect their discoveries to the scientific or academic concepts. Include opportunities for students to articulate their understanding.

5

Create Elaborate extension activities

Design activities that challenge students to apply their new knowledge to different contexts, more complex problems, or real-world scenarios. This deepens understanding and promotes transfer of learning.

6

Develop your Evaluate assessments

Plan both formative assessments (throughout the lesson) and a summative assessment for the end. Include rubrics, exit tickets, quizzes, projects, or performance tasks that measure mastery of your learning objective.

7

Add differentiation and materials list

Review each phase and add accommodations for diverse learners (ELL support, advanced extensions, IEP modifications). Create a complete materials list, time estimates for each phase, and any prep notes needed before the lesson.

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5E Model vs Other Lesson Plan Formats

How does the 5E instructional model compare to other popular lesson planning frameworks? Here is a side-by-side breakdown.

Feature5E ModelMadeline HunterBackward DesignGradual Release
ApproachInquiry-based, student-centeredDirect instruction, teacher-ledAssessment-driven, goal-firstScaffolded, teacher-to-student
Student RoleActive investigator and discovererListener, then practitionerVaries by planned activityProgresses from observer to doer
When Instruction HappensAfter exploration (Phase 3)At the beginning (Input phase)Varies by designAt the beginning (I Do)
Best ForScience, STEM, inquiry learningSkill-based, direct instructionUnit planning, standards alignmentSequential skill instruction
Typical Duration3-5 class periods1 class periodFull unit (weeks)1 class period
Assessment StyleOngoing + summativeCheck for understanding + practicePre-determined evidenceIndependent practice mastery

Want to learn more about these formats? Read our complete guide to lesson plan formats

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