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Complete Guide to Lesson Plan Formats

Learn about the 4A's, 5E model, Madeline Hunter, Backward Design, and more. Find the right lesson plan format for your classroom with examples and templates.

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4A's Lesson Plan5E ModelMadeline Hunter ModelBackward Design (UbD)Gradual Release of Responsibility
Format 1

4A's Lesson Plan

Activity, Analysis, Abstraction, Application

The 4A's model is popular in the Philippines and focuses on experiential learning. It moves students from concrete activities to abstract understanding through structured phases.

Developed for K-12 education in the Philippines

Best For

Elementary and secondary education
Schools following DepEd curriculum
Experiential learning approaches
Student-centered classrooms

Phases/Components

1

Activity

Students engage in a hands-on activity or experience related to the lesson. This could be a game, experiment, or group task.

2

Analysis

Students analyze what happened during the activity. Teacher asks guiding questions to help students process the experience.

3

Abstraction

Teacher helps students form abstract concepts from the activity. This is where the main lesson content is presented.

4

Application

Students apply what they learned to new situations. This could be practice problems, real-world scenarios, or assessments.

Example: Science - Water Cycle

activity:Students create mini water cycles in plastic bags taped to windows
analysis:What do you observe happening in the bags? Where does the water go?
abstraction:Teacher explains evaporation, condensation, and precipitation
application:Students draw and label their own water cycle diagrams

Pros

  • Highly engaging for students
  • Builds from concrete to abstract
  • Student-centered approach
  • Works well with manipulatives

Considerations

  • •Requires more preparation time
  • •Activity materials needed
  • •May take longer than lecture-based lessons
Format 2

5E Model

Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate

The 5E Model is an inquiry-based instructional framework widely used in science education. It promotes student discovery and deep understanding through a cycle of exploration and explanation.

Developed by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) in 1987

Best For

Science instruction (NGSS aligned)
Inquiry-based learning
STEM education
Middle and high school

Phases/Components

1

Engage

Capture student interest and activate prior knowledge with a hook, question, or phenomenon.

2

Explore

Students investigate the concept through hands-on activities, experiments, or research without direct instruction.

3

Explain

Teacher provides direct instruction and vocabulary. Students articulate their understanding.

4

Elaborate

Students apply and extend their learning to new situations or more complex problems.

5

Evaluate

Assess student understanding through formal or informal methods throughout and at the end.

Example: Chemistry - Chemical Reactions

engage:Show video of baking soda volcano and ask: What's happening?
explore:Lab stations where students mix various substances and record observations
explain:Direct instruction on chemical reactions, reactants, products
elaborate:Students predict outcomes of new combinations and test hypotheses
evaluate:Lab report and exit ticket on identifying chemical reactions

Pros

  • Research-backed and widely adopted
  • Promotes deep understanding
  • Aligns with NGSS
  • Encourages student inquiry

Considerations

  • •Full cycle takes multiple class periods
  • •Requires significant planning
  • •Materials and prep intensive
Format 3

Madeline Hunter Model

Direct Instruction Framework

The Madeline Hunter model is a structured, teacher-directed approach that breaks lessons into clear components. It's one of the most widely taught formats in teacher preparation programs.

Developed by Madeline Hunter at UCLA in the 1960s-70s

Best For

Direct instruction
Skill-based lessons
Teacher-led instruction
New teachers learning structure

Phases/Components

1

Anticipatory Set

Hook that focuses students and connects to prior knowledge.

2

Objective & Purpose

Share what students will learn and why it matters.

3

Input

Present new information, concepts, or skills.

4

Modeling

Demonstrate the skill or process students will perform.

5

Check for Understanding

Verify comprehension before independent practice.

6

Guided Practice

Students practice with teacher support and feedback.

7

Independent Practice

Students apply skills independently.

8

Closure

Summarize learning and preview next steps.

Example: Math - Two-Digit Multiplication

anticipatory Set:Show a problem about buying multiple items at a store
objective:Students will multiply two-digit numbers using the standard algorithm
input:Explain the steps of the algorithm with place value emphasis
modeling:Work through 3 example problems on board, thinking aloud
check Understanding:Thumbs up/down check after each step
guided Practice:Students solve problems on whiteboards with partner checking
independent Practice:Worksheet with 10 problems to complete individually
closure:Exit ticket with 2 problems and reflection on difficulty

Pros

  • Clear structure for new teachers
  • Effective for skill instruction
  • Research-supported components
  • Easy to observe and coach

Considerations

  • •Can feel rigid or scripted
  • •Less student-centered
  • •May not fit all content types
Format 4

Backward Design (UbD)

Understanding by Design

Backward Design, developed by Wiggins and McTighe, starts with the end in mind. Teachers first identify desired results, then determine acceptable evidence, and finally plan learning experiences.

Developed by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe in 1998

Best For

Unit and curriculum planning
Standards-based instruction
Ensuring alignment
Assessment-driven teaching

Phases/Components

1

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

What should students know, understand, and be able to do? Establish goals, essential questions, and key understandings.

2

Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

How will you know if students achieved the goals? Design assessments and criteria for success.

3

Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences

What activities and instruction will help students achieve the goals and succeed on assessments?

Example: ELA - Persuasive Writing Unit

stage1:Students will understand how authors use evidence and rhetoric to persuade. Essential question: How do writers convince readers?
stage2:Rubric-scored persuasive essay, peer evaluation checklist, self-reflection on writing process
stage3:Analyze mentor texts, practice identifying claims and evidence, drafting workshops, peer review sessions, revision and editing

Pros

  • Ensures alignment between goals and activities
  • Assessment-focused
  • Promotes understanding over coverage
  • Great for unit planning

Considerations

  • •Takes more upfront planning time
  • •Better for units than daily lessons
  • •Requires clear standards understanding
Format 5

Gradual Release of Responsibility

I Do, We Do, You Do

The Gradual Release model shifts cognitive load from teacher to student through explicit modeling, shared practice, and independent application. It's highly effective for skill instruction.

Based on research by Pearson and Gallagher (1983)

Best For

Skill-based instruction
Reading and writing instruction
Math procedures
Any sequential skill

Phases/Components

1

I Do (Focused Instruction)

Teacher models the skill with explicit think-alouds. Students observe and listen.

2

We Do (Guided Instruction)

Teacher and students work together. Teacher provides prompts and scaffolds.

3

You Do Together (Collaborative)

Students work with peers while teacher monitors and supports.

4

You Do Alone (Independent)

Students apply the skill independently. Teacher assesses mastery.

Example: Reading - Making Inferences

i Do:Teacher reads passage aloud, modeling thinking: 'The text says X, and I know Y, so I can infer Z'
we Do:Class reads next passage together, teacher prompts: 'What clues do you see? What can we infer?'
you Do Together:Partners read new passage and identify inferences together
you Do Alone:Individual reading response with inference questions

Pros

  • Clear scaffold structure
  • Effective for diverse learners
  • Builds student confidence
  • Easy to differentiate

Considerations

  • •Requires careful pacing
  • •May need multiple cycles for complex skills
  • •All phases may not fit in one period

Quick Comparison

Compare lesson plan formats at a glance

FormatBest ForStructureApproach
4A'sPhilippine K-124 phasesExperiential
5E ModelScience/STEM5 phasesInquiry-based
Madeline HunterDirect instruction7-8 componentsTeacher-directed
Backward DesignUnit planning3 stagesAssessment-driven
Gradual ReleaseSkill instruction4 phasesScaffolded

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