Writing lesson plans isn’t usually a teacher’s favorite part of the job, but it’s a necessary one. Whether you’re a brand-new teacher or an experienced educator looking for some new ideas, these lesson plan examples offer inspiration for every subject and every grade level.
Lesson Plan Sections
Many lesson plans include some or all of the following sections.
- Objective: These should be specific and measurable. Often, they align with Common Core or other learning standards.
- Materials: List any items you’ll need, including worksheets or handouts, school supplies, etc.
- 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.
- Assessment: How will you assess your students’ learning? This could be a formal assessment or something simple like an exit ticket. (Get lots of formative assessment ideas here.)
- Differentiation: Describe how you’ll vary the level of difficulty for students at all levels, including any enrichment for early finishers.
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.
Weekly Lesson Plan
Weekly preschool lesson planning helps you plan each day and ensure you’re tackling all the most important skills.
Learn more: Venngage Pre-K Weekly Lesson Plan Template
Pre-K Theme Lesson Plan
If you like to plan by theme, try a template like this. It includes space for a variety of activities that fit your topic.
Learn more: Pre-K Printable Fun
Alphabet Letter Lesson Plan
If you’re focusing on a new letter of the alphabet each week, try lesson planning like this. You can see the week at a glance, including all the materials and books you’ll need.
Learn more: Alphabet Letter Lesson Plan by This Crafty Mom
Centers Lesson Plan
Your centers need some planning too! Whether you change them out weekly, monthly, or as needed, use plans like these to stay prepared.
Learn more: Pocket of Preschool
Weekly Unit Lesson Plan
Adding pops of color and a few images can make it easier to locate the lesson plan you’re looking for in a snap!
Learn more: Weekly Weather Unit Lesson Plan by This Crafty Mom
Elementary School 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.
Weekly Overview Lesson Plan
Don’t be afraid to write out your lesson plans by hand! A side-by-side setup like this lets you see a whole week at once. We love the use of color to highlight special things like fire drills.
Learn more: Mrs. Jones Creation Station
Guided Math Lesson Plan
This example on adding three numbers together can be altered to fit any math lesson plan.
Learn more: Tunstall’s Teaching Tidbits
Art Lesson Plan
While these are elementary art lesson plan examples, you can easily use this style for teaching art at upper levels too.
Learn more: Artsy Blevs
Social Studies Lesson Plan
Including images of your anchor charts is a great idea! That way, you can pull one out and have it ready to go in advance.
Learn more: Mrs. Jones’s Class
Elementary Math 5E Model
The 5E model is terrific for planning. Here’s an example of it being used for elementary math.
Learn more: The Routty Math Teacher
Elementary Science Lesson Plan
If you like to plan your lessons in more detail, take a look at this elementary science lesson plan example.
Learn more: Venngage Science Lesson Plan Template
Reading Groups Lesson Plan
Lots of elementary schools have differentiated reading groups. Use a template like this one to plan for each one, all on one page.
Learn more: First Grade Fairy Tales
P.E. Lesson Plan
Gym teachers will love this lesson plan idea, which includes directions for playing the games.
Learn more: American Coaching Academy
Music Class Lesson Plan
Plan out the skills and songs you’ll need for a meaningful music class with a lesson plan like this one.
Learn more: Victoria Boler
Middle and High School Lesson Plan Examples
At the middle and high school level, teachers often need more detailed plans for each class, which they may teach multiple times a day. Here are some examples to try.
Google Sheets Lesson Plans
Google Sheets (or Excel) is terrific for lesson planning! Create a new tab for each week, unit, or class.
Learn more: Busy Miss Beebe
Weekly Math Plan
This simple overview lets you plan out your week, and it really works for any subject.
Learn more: Busy Miss Bee
Weekly History Plan
Here’s another weekly lesson plan example, this time for a history class.
Learn more: Coaching History on Teachers Pay Teachers
Outline and Pacing Guide Lesson Plan
A pacing guide or outline works for both you and your students. Share it at the beginning of a unit to let them know what’s ahead.
Learn more: Read It Write It Learn It
5E Model Science Lesson Plan
The 5E model works for every subject and every grade, like this middle school science lesson.
Learn more: 5 Free Recycling Lesson Plans
Visual Arts Lesson Plan
Detailed lesson plans take longer to prepare, but they make it easier on the day (especially if you wind up needing a sub).
Learn more: Venngage Visual Arts Lesson Plan Template
ESL or Foreign Language Lesson Plan
Whether you’re teaching English as a second language (ESL) or a foreign language to English speakers, this lesson plan style is perfect.
Learn more: Teaching English Abroad
Music Lesson Plan
Use a lesson plan like this for choir, orchestra, band, or individual music lessons.
Learn more: Melody Soup
Blended Learning Lesson Plan
If your instruction includes both computer-based and in-person elements, this lesson plan idea might be just what you need.
Learn more: Hot Lunch Tray
One-Sentence Lesson Plan
This kind of lesson planning isn’t for everyone, but the extreme simplicity works well for some. Simply describe what students will learn, how they will learn it, and how they’ll demonstrate their knowledge.
Learn more: Cult of Pedagogy
Need more help with lesson planning? Come ask for ideas on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook!
Plus, check out 40 Ways To Make Time for More Creativity in Your Lesson Plans.
