What Is a Lesson Plan?

A plain-English answer: what a lesson plan is, why teachers write them, what goes in one, and a short example.

Definition

A lesson plan is a teacher's written guide for a single lesson. It sets out what students will learn (the objective), how they will learn it (the activities and their timing) and how the teacher will check that they learned it (the assessment).

Why teachers write lesson plans

Clarity: deciding the objective first keeps every activity purposeful.
Timing: planning minutes stops the lesson running out before the important part.
Inclusion: it's the moment to plan support and challenge for different students.
Continuity: a colleague or substitute can teach from it.
Improvement: a reflection after the lesson makes the next one better.

What a lesson plan includes

Most include an objective, standards, materials, an opening, main activities, differentiation, assessment and closure. See the components of a lesson plan for each one explained.

Lesson plan vs unit plan

A lesson plan covers one lesson. A unit plan covers a sequence of lessons on one topic, usually over several weeks.

Lesson plan example

Here is a short, complete lesson plan for a Grade 3 reading lesson.

Standard lesson plan (US)

Finding the main idea

Subject	English language arts (reading)	Grade	3
Date		Length	45 minutes

Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.2 (determine the main idea of an informational text and explain how key details support it).

Learning objectives

Students will be able to identify the main idea of a short nonfiction passage and name three details that support it.

Materials and resources

Article "Why Bees Matter" (one page, two reading levels)

Main idea "table" graphic organizer (tabletop + 3 legs)

Chart paper and markers

Exit ticket slips

Key vocabulary

main idea, key detail, topic, support

Warm-up / hook (5 min)

Show a photo of a messy desk. Ask: "If you had to describe this picture in one sentence, what would you say?" Link the one-sentence summary to the idea of a main idea.

Lesson procedure

Time	Activity
10 min	Model with a short paragraph about sea turtles: underline the topic, then think aloud to turn it into a main idea sentence. Fill in the "table" organizer: main idea on top, details as legs.
10 min	Guided practice: read the first two paragraphs of "Why Bees Matter" together. Pairs agree on a main idea and two details; share on whiteboards.
12 min	Independent practice: students finish the article and complete their own organizer. Teacher confers with a small group.

Differentiation and accommodations

Support: easier version of the article with key sentences highlighted; sentence starter "This text is mostly about…".

Extension: write a second main idea for one paragraph and compare it to the whole-text main idea.

English learners: picture glossary for bee vocabulary; partner talk before writing.

Assessment

Exit ticket: a new short paragraph. Students write its main idea and one supporting detail. Sort into "got it / almost / not yet" for tomorrow's groups.

Closure (5 min)

Turn and talk: "How is a main idea different from a topic?" Two pairs share.

Homework / extension

Read a page of any nonfiction book at home and tell a family member its main idea in one sentence.

Planned time: 42 minutes of 45

Open this example in the maker

Common Core State Standards codes are cited for reference only; see the official Common Core site for the full standards. © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of a lesson plan?

To make sure a lesson has a clear objective, a well-timed sequence of activities that lead to it, and a way to check whether students learned it.

Is a lesson plan the same as a lesson plan template?

No. The template is the empty structure (the headings); the lesson plan is the filled-in version for a particular lesson.

Who writes lesson plans?

Teachers write them for their own lessons. Student teachers usually write detailed plans for every lesson they teach.

More guides

GuidesEight steps, with guides to formats, components and examples.Components of a lesson planThe ten parts of a lesson plan, each explained.Lesson plan formatThe standard layout and when to use another format.Lesson plan examplesComplete examples for different grades and formats.Lesson plan makerMake a lesson plan in minutes with 14 formats (5E, Madeline Hunter, UDL, SIOP, UK, EYFS and more). Export to Word, PDF or Google Docs. Free, no sign-up.