Daily lesson plan template
One page for one class period, any subject: objective, success criteria, a five-part sequence, support and reflection.
Filled example: Grade 3 opinion writing (45 min)
Free teacher template
A lesson plan template you can copy and teach from
Download a daily, detailed, elementary, middle and high school, math, reading or science template in Word or PDF, each with a filled example. Weekly and unit templates are here too, and every file opens in Google Docs. Prefer the browser? Copy the simple or detailed version straight from this page.
The planning test
Can every activity point back to the evidence?
A useful lesson plan connects one measurable objective to evidence you can see. The sequence prepares students to produce that evidence. Everything else supports that connection.
Name the learning
Define acceptable evidence
Sequence the practice
Plan the next response
Word and PDF downloads
Free lesson plan templates by format, grade and subject
Every file has a blank template on page 1 and a filled example on page 2. Edit the Word version on screen or print the PDF and write on it. All files are free without an account. Standards in the examples are cited for US schools that use them; check your own state or district framework and replace the example content before teaching.
Detailed lesson plan template
For observations and formal submissions: context, learning test, minute-by-minute sequence with teacher and learner actions, and next steps.
Filled example: Grade 7 social studies source comparison
Elementary lesson plan template (K-5)
An “I can” statement, materials setup, carpet-to-centers sequence with grouping, and support, on-level and challenge columns.
Filled example: Grade 2 math, adding with regrouping
Middle and high school template (6-12)
Learning target and success criteria, do now, mini-lesson, guided, collaborative and independent work, exit ticket, and IEP/504/ELL accommodations.
Filled example: Grade 9 ELA, evaluating an argument
Math lesson plan template
Spiral review, launch, worked example, guided and independent practice with an answers column, and common errors to watch for.
Filled example: Grade 6 percent of a quantity, with answers
Reading lesson plan template
Before, during and after reading, vocabulary, text-dependent questions, writing about reading and small-group notes.
Filled example: Grade 4 theme with an Aesop fable
Science lesson plan template
Phenomenon and prediction, investigation, claim-evidence-reasoning, application and assessment, with safety notes and a data table box.
Filled example: Grade 4 erosion investigation
Weekly lesson plan template
Five days on one landscape page: objective, warm-up, main activity, practice, check for understanding and homework.
Unit plan template
Goals, assessment evidence and a lesson-by-lesson sequence for a whole unit, with a filled Grade 5 science unit.
Templates for a specific teaching model
- 5E lesson plan templateEngage, explore, explain, elaborate, evaluate: inquiry lessons in science and math.
- Madeline Hunter templateSeven steps from anticipatory set to independent practice for explicit teaching.
- I do, we do, you do templateGradual release in four phases, with a move-on check for each.
- Backward design templateStart from the evidence of learning, then plan the activities.
Google Docs
Use a lesson plan template in Google Docs
The Word files convert cleanly to Google Docs, tables included. It takes about a minute, and the copy is yours to edit and share.
Download the Word file
Choose a template above and click Word (.docx).
Upload it to Google Drive
In Drive, click New > File upload and select the file. In Google Docs, File > Open > Upload does the same.
Open it with Google Docs
Right-click the file in Drive and choose Open with > Google Docs.
Save it as a Google Doc
Choose File > Save as Google Docs. You now have a native Google Docs copy you can edit, share or file in a planning folder.
Share or assign it
In Google Classroom, attach the Doc and select Make a copy for each student when every teacher or student needs their own version.
Tip: to convert every Word upload automatically, open Google Drive settings and turn on Convert uploads to Google Docs editor format.
Daily planning
Copy the simple lesson plan template
Use this when you know the content and need a dependable plan for one class period. Copy the complete template and replace each prompt.
Simple daily template
Copy includes the complete template. No signup needed.
Lesson title:
Grade / level:
Subject:
Duration:
Learning objective
Students will be able to...
Show full templateShow less
Success evidence
I will know students met the objective when...
Materials:
Lesson sequence:
1. Opening / retrieval (___ min):
2. Instruction / modeling (___ min):
3. Guided practice (___ min):
4. Independent or collaborative practice (___ min):
5. Check for understanding / closure (___ min):
Support and extension:
Next step:
Formal planning
The detailed lesson plan template
Use the expanded version when another teacher needs to follow the plan, when an observer needs to see your reasoning, or when learner access requires more deliberate preparation.
Detailed lesson template
Copy includes the complete template. No signup needed.
LESSON CONTEXT
Lesson title:
Grade / level:
Subject and unit:
Date and duration:
Prior learning:
Required standard or framework reference:
LEARNING TARGET
Measurable objective:
Student-friendly learning target:
Success criteria:
Evidence to collect:
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PREPARATION
Materials and links:
Key vocabulary:
Likely misconceptions:
Access needs and planned supports:
SEQUENCE
Opening / retrieval (___ min):
Teacher action:
Student action:
Check for understanding:
Instruction / modeling (___ min):
Teacher action:
Student action:
Check for understanding:
Guided practice (___ min):
Teacher action:
Student action:
Feedback plan:
Independent or collaborative practice (___ min):
Task:
Expected product:
Support and extension:
Closure / exit ticket (___ min):
AFTER THE LESSON
What evidence will I review?
Who needs reteaching, more practice, or extension?
What changes before I teach this again?
Filled example
See the planning logic in one 50-minute lesson
The objective asks students to compare claims and use evidence. Modeling, annotation, writing, and the closure all prepare for or check that exact work.
Need help tightening the target first? Use the guide to measurable lesson objectives. For six more complete plans from kindergarten to Grade 12, each with a PDF and Word download, see the lesson plan examples.
Grade 7 social studies example
Copy includes the complete example. No signup needed.
Lesson title: Which source tells the stronger story?
Grade / level: Grade 7
Subject: Social studies
Duration: 50 minutes
Learning objective
Given two short accounts of the same event, students will compare the authors' claims and cite one detail from each source to support a written judgment.
Show full exampleShow less
Success evidence
A six-sentence response that states a judgment, uses one accurate detail from each source, and explains why one source is more convincing.
Materials
Two source excerpts, comparison chart, highlighters, exit-ticket slips.
Lesson sequence
1. Opening (5 min): Students compare two headlines about the same school event.
2. Modeling (10 min): Teacher marks claim, evidence, and point of view in a sample.
3. Guided practice (12 min): Pairs annotate the first source and compare choices.
4. Independent practice (18 min): Students read the second source and write.
5. Closure (5 min): Students underline their judgment and circle both details.
Support and extension
Provide a claim-and-evidence sentence frame or audio access to the excerpts. Ask early finishers to name one missing detail that would change their judgment.
Next step
Sort responses into ready, needs evidence practice, and needs claim practice.
Template or generation
Keep the blank template. Skip the blank-page work.
Draft My Lesson turns your topic, duration, level, teaching direction, and selected school-system profile into an editable teacher plan, student handout, homework, and answer key. You review the draft before using or exporting it.
Choose the right depth
Adapt the template without rebuilding it
Elementary
Add vocabulary, materials setup, transition cues, and the exact model students will see. Keep the objective narrow enough for one block.
Middle and high school
Name prior learning, likely misconceptions, independent evidence, and what students should carry into the next lesson.
Observation or submission
Use the detailed template. Make teacher actions, student actions, checks for understanding, and planned responses explicit.
Looking for 5E, workshop, backward design, or another model?
This page gives you blank structures you can use now. Our lesson plan format comparison explains how six instructional models differ and when each earns the extra structure. For the full planning process, read how to write a lesson plan.
FAQ
Lesson plan template questions
- Can I use these lesson plan templates in Google Docs?
Yes. Download the Word file, upload it to Google Drive, then right-click it and choose Open with > Google Docs. Use File > Save as Google Docs to keep an editable Google Docs copy. In Google Classroom, attach that copy and choose Make a copy for each student if each teacher or student needs their own.
- Does Microsoft Word have a lesson plan template?
Word’s template gallery (File > New, then search for lesson plan) includes some planner designs, depending on your version. The Word files on this page open directly in Word, with editable tables you can resize or extend.
- Which lesson plan template should I use?
Use the daily template for an ordinary class period, the detailed template for an observation or formal submission, the grade-band template that matches your class, or a subject template when the lesson structure is specific to math, reading or science. For a week or a whole unit, use the weekly or unit plan template.
- What should every lesson plan template include?
At minimum, name the learning objective, the evidence students will produce, the lesson sequence, the materials, and the next instructional step. Add standards, vocabulary, misconceptions, and accommodations when your context requires them.
- Can I copy this template without creating an account?
Yes. The simple and detailed templates on this page are free to copy into a document, learning platform, or paper planner. An account is only needed if you want Draft My Lesson to generate a lesson draft for you.
- How is a lesson plan template different from a lesson plan format?
A template is the blank structure you fill in. A format is the instructional model that shapes the sequence, such as 5E, workshop, or direct instruction. This page gives you flexible templates. The linked format guide compares models and their tradeoffs.
- Where do standards belong in the template?
Put the exact standard or framework reference in the context section, then translate it into a measurable lesson objective. A standard may span several lessons, so do not copy it into the objective unless one lesson can genuinely produce the required evidence.
- Is this detailed enough for an observed lesson?
The detailed version covers the common evidence an observer needs: objective, success criteria, prior learning, teacher and student actions, checks for understanding, support, and reflection. Add any fields required by your school or district.
Planning beyond one lesson?
Keep the class, week, and teaching content together in your current planning system.