Learning Plan Template
Foundations of Lesson Plan
Content Areas and Developmental Domains
Identify the content area(s) and developmental domain(s) you will address in this learning experience.
State/District/Professional Standards
Identify one early learning standard that informed your planning of this learning experience.
Learning Goals
Briefly describe your goal(s) or desired outcome(s) of the learning experience.
Materials/Technology/Equipment/Resources
List texts, websites, writing/art supplies, props/artifacts, assistive technology, computer software, Internet resources, audio/visual media, and other tools and materials needed for this experience.
Lesson Sequence
Align all activities with the standard(s), goal(s), and context.
Introduction/Anticipatory Set
Describe initial teacher-and-child activities that establish a warm connection and capture children’s attention. Answer the following:
How will you draw children into the lesson, capture their attention, make them feel connected and included?
How will you relate the lesson to children’s interests, prior knowledge, and families/communities?
Building/Applying Knowledge and Skills
Describe specifically, and in a step-by-step fashion, what you and the children will do in all activities and transitions that are part of this learning experience. Make sure each activity is meaningful and supports your goal(s). Be sure to consider specific content areas and developmental domains that are relevant to the learning experience.
For each activity, explain how the activity might be differentiated to meet the needs of individual children, including children with exceptionalities. Give specific examples related to particular children in the classroom that you observed.
Assessment
Assessment is the process by which early childhood professionals gain understanding of children’s development and learning. Describe strategies you will use to assess children’s learning. Consider how you will:
Utilize and document observation to assess children’s learning.
Make sure all assessments are aligned with your goal(s) for the lesson.
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Closure
Closure is the conclusion of your learning experience. It is a time to wrap up the experience by summarizing, reviewing, and/or reflecting on the learning that has taken place. Describe all activities and strategies you will use in the closure of your learning activity.
1–2 paragraphs
Reflection
Critical reflection is an essential part of continuous improvement. Reflect on your lesson planning and implementation—what worked well, adjustments made, the children’s responses, and evidence of their learning. Consider what you would do differently next time and what next steps you will take following this lesson. Think about how to involve families and others to support the children’s development and learning. Summarize your thoughts.
