Editable lesson plan templates, and how to fill one in fast
A good lesson plan fits on one page: the objective, what students will do, what you need, and how you'll know they learned it. Start from an editable template, fill in those four parts, and keep the rest short enough to glance at mid-lesson.
No account needed to edit. AI needs a free account (20 AI uses a month).
Templates to start from
One-page lesson plan
Objective, materials, four steps and an assessment box.
Lesson plan
5E lesson plan
Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate — built for science.
Lesson plan
I do · We do · You do
Gradual release: model, guided practice, independent work.
Lesson plan
Detailed lesson plan
Standards, differentiation and timings for observations.
Lesson plan
Weekly planner
Five days at a glance, one row per subject.
Lesson plan
Unit plan map
The big picture: weeks, topics and assessments for a unit.
Lesson plan
What to include in a lesson plan
- Objective: what students will be able to do by the end, in one sentence starting with a verb (“Students will compare…”, “Students will solve…”).
- Standards or curriculum link: the code or outcome your school asks for, if any.
- Materials: everything you need to have ready, including copies and links.
- Lesson steps with timings: opening, teaching, practice and closing.
- Differentiation: one line each for students who need support and those ready for more.
- Assessment: how you'll check learning — an exit ticket, a quick quiz, a work sample.
- Reflection (after teaching): what worked and what you'd change next time.
A worked example (Grade 3 science)
| Section | Example |
|---|---|
| Objective | Students will describe the stages of a seed growing into a plant. |
| Materials | Bean seeds, clear cups, paper towels, water, science journals |
| Opening (5 min) | Show a sprouted bean; ask “What happened inside the seed?” |
| Teaching (10 min) | Model planting a bean against the cup wall; label seed coat, root, shoot. |
| Practice (20 min) | Partners plant and label their own cups; draw day 1 in journals. |
| Assessment (5 min) | Exit ticket: label the parts of a seed. |
Which format should you use?
- Daily one-page plan: most everyday lessons. Fast to fill in, easy to read while teaching.
- 5E model: inquiry-based science and maths, where students explore before you explain.
- I do · We do · You do: teaching a skill or procedure (handwriting, a maths method, an essay paragraph).
- Weekly planner: an overview for the week or a team; pair it with daily plans for detail.
- Unit plan: the sequence across several weeks, with the summative assessment at the end.
Tips that save time
- Write the assessment before the activities, so the activities lead to it.
- Keep a “standard materials” line in your saved template and only add what changes.
- If a substitute might teach it, add where things are and who to ask (see the substitute plan guide).
How to make it in CatalogProFlow
- Pick a layoutOne-page for everyday lessons, 5E for inquiry science, gradual release for skills, detailed for formal observations.
- Write the objective firstClick the objective box and replace it. Everything else on the page should serve that one sentence.
- Fill in the steps with timingsChange the step text and add minutes in brackets, e.g. “Model on the board (10 min)”.
- Save it as your own templateWith a free account, save the design and duplicate it each week, so the layout and your standard materials stay put.
- Print or shareDownload a PNG free with an account, or a print-ready PDF with Teacher Pro or a one-time $2.99 unlock for that design. You can also print straight from the PDF on any home or school printer.
Questions
What are the main parts of a lesson plan?
An objective, materials, the lesson steps with timings, differentiation and an assessment. Many teachers add a standards link and a short reflection after teaching.
Can AI write my lesson plan?
Yes. Open a lesson plan template, press AI design, choose the grade and subject and type the topic. The AI fills in the objective, materials, four steps and the assessment, and every word stays editable. Check it against your curriculum before you teach.
Is the lesson plan template free?
Editing is free and you don't need an account to start. A free account lets you save it and download a PNG; the print-ready PDF needs Teacher Pro or a $2.99 one-time unlock.
What size are the lesson plan templates?
They open at US Letter, landscape (11 × 8.5 in), which also prints on A4 with your printer's “fit to page” setting.
Related guides
- Substitute teacher lesson plans: a template and a checklistAn editable substitute plan template and a checklist of what to leave for a sub: schedule, seating chart, routines, lessons with materials, and emergency plans.
- Homeschool weekly planner: a free template and a simple routineAn editable homeschool weekly planner with subjects by day, plus reading logs, reward charts and homework trackers.
- Editable university syllabus template: sections, example and tipsWhat a university or college syllabus should include — course details, outcomes, schedule, assessment weights and policies — with an editable course plan template you can print or share as a PDF.