The 5E Model Lesson Plan: A Fresh Take on Engaging Classroom Learning

With technology evolving, attention spans getting shorter, and more demands on teachers, keeping students interested in learning is becoming tougher.

So, how can teachers spark curiosity and encourage students to enjoy learning new things? One approach is to use the 5E instructional model.

This model, often used in STEM subjects, helps students learn by breaking lessons into stages. It uses inquiry-based learning, which means students explore and discover ideas on their own instead of just being told the answers. The 5E model gets students involved in the process, making them more active and engaged in their learning journey.

In this blog, we are taking a closer look at what the 5E model is and how it works. Without waiting further, let’s get started

What Is The 5E Lesson Plan?

The 5E lesson plan is a teaching model made up of five steps: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. It helps teachers design lessons that flow naturally from one step to the next. This model was created in 1987 by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) and introduced by Dr. Rodger Bybee as a way to improve science lessons. While it was originally created for science, it has become a popular approach in many subjects because of how well it works. Here’s how each phase works:

1. Engage

   This step gets students interested in the topic. Teachers start by presenting something like a question, problem, or event that sparks curiosity. The goal is to help students connect what they already know to what they are about to learn. It also helps organise their thoughts and focus on the lesson’s goals. During this phase, the teacher explains what the students will do, sets rules, and guides early discussions to gather students’ ideas and experiences, which will be useful later in the lesson.

2. Explore

   In this step, students dive into hands-on activities to explore the topic. They might investigate objects, situations, or events to observe patterns, test ideas, or figure out relationships. This phase gives them shared experiences they can use later when they discuss the topic in more depth. The teacher’s role here is to guide students as they explore, ask questions, and gather data. The teacher supports them as they start forming their own ideas or explanations based on what they observe.

3. Explain

   Here, students share their thoughts and findings from the earlier phases. They discuss their observations, present their ideas, and learn from each other. The teacher also introduces new information or concepts to help students build a stronger understanding. Students can use this new knowledge, along with their own experiences, to refine their explanations or models. For engineering topics, this step might include students working on solutions to problems

4. Elaborate

   This phase allows students to deepen their understanding by applying what they’ve learned to new situations or problems. They might test their knowledge in similar scenarios or work on related tasks. This step is also a chance to address any confusion students might still have. The activities in this phase help them connect their learning to a broader range of ideas and skills.

5. Evaluate

   Evaluation happens throughout the lesson, both informally and formally. Students reflect on what they’ve learned and assess their own progress. Teachers also check how well students understand the topic, either by observing them during activities or through quizzes and tests at the end. This step helps both students and teachers see where things stand and identify areas for improvement.

Also Read: Lesson Planning Guide

Benefits Of 5E Model

Here’s a look at how the 5E Model can bring a fresh, engaging approach to teaching by supporting both students and teachers in the learning process.

1. Clear Structure for Planning Lessons

   The 5E Model offers a clear and easy structure for planning lessons. With five simple steps—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate—teachers have a roadmap for creating meaningful lessons. This structure helps teachers organise their ideas and ensure that each part of the lesson builds on the previous one, making it easier to guide students through the learning process step-by-step.

2. Supports Real Learning

   The 5E Model is built around letting students experience and discover concepts on their own, which leads to real learning. Instead of just reading or listening, students get to actively work with the material, which helps them understand it more deeply. This approach allows students to connect with the lesson in a way that feels genuine and encourages them to take an active part in their own learning.

3. Connects Lessons to Everyday Life

   One of the strengths of the 5E Model is that it helps students connect what they’re learning to real-life situations. By allowing students to explore ideas and think about how they apply to everyday life, the 5E Model makes learning more meaningful. This real-world approach helps students see why what they’re learning matters, which makes the content stick and helps them remember it better.

4. Increases Interest and Motivation

   The hands-on and interactive nature of the 5E Model grabs students’ attention and gets them excited about learning. By engaging students right from the start and keeping them involved throughout, the model builds a natural curiosity that motivates them to learn more. This approach taps into their interests, making them more eager to participate and follow along.

5. Encourages Active Participation and Discovery

   The 5E Model encourages students to ask questions and look for answers, turning them into active thinkers. Instead of passively receiving information, students are invited to explore, experiment, and discuss. This type of learning helps them develop important skills, like problem-solving and critical thinking, which they can use in other areas of life and learning. The 5E Model makes learning a journey of discovery, where students play an active role.

Examples Of The 5E Model

1) Math

The 5E model can make learning math more interactive and fun. Let’s look at how it might work for a lesson on rational numbers, focusing on converting between standard decimal notation and scientific notation.

• Engage: To get students thinking, they are given cards with different rational numbers. They are asked questions like:
  • “Where would you place this number on a number line?”
  • “Could this number fit in more than one spot?”
  • This gets them curious and thinking about the topic before diving deeper.
• Explore: Using the cards, students work together to compare, match, and arrange the numbers in order. This hands-on activity helps them notice patterns and relationships in the numbers.
• Explain: The teacher talks about how scientific notation is used in everyday life, like for very large or small numbers. Students practice using scientific notation with the cards, organising the numbers, and applying what they’ve learned.
• Extend: Students test their understanding by working on new problems that involve rational numbers and scientific notation. They get to use what they’ve learned in fresh situations to build confidence.
• Evaluate: To wrap up, students create a chart or diagram to show how different sets and subsets of numbers are connected. This helps them organise their thoughts and shows how well they understand the concepts. The teacher uses this stage to check if students can switch between scientific notation and standard decimals with ease.

2) Social Studies

In social studies, the 5E model can be a great way to explore the different types of representative governments. Here’s how it might work in a lesson about this topic:

1. Engage: To kick things off, students can take a quick poll where they share what they think should be important in a representative government. This helps get them thinking about the topic and what matters to them in government.
2. Explore: Next, students dive into learning about different types of representative governments. They’ll look into direct democracy, where citizens vote directly on laws; representative democracy, where elected officials make decisions for the people; presidential democracy, where the president has a significant role; parliamentary democracy, where the prime minister leads the government; authoritarian democracy, where leaders have more control; participatory democracy, where everyone is involved; Islamic democracy, which combines religious principles with democratic ideals; and social democracy, which focuses on social justice alongside democratic processes.
3. Explain: After exploring these systems, students will define the important terms and discuss which form of government fits best with the ideas they picked out in the initial poll. This step helps them connect theory with their own views.
4. Extend: At this point, students take what they’ve learned and apply it to real-world examples. They might examine how these forms of government work in different countries and see how the systems they’ve learned about play out in practice.
5. Evaluate: To wrap it up, students revisit their original poll results. They can adjust their ideas based on what they’ve learned and come up with a new or improved version of a representative government, combining their insights into a unique government model. This process gives them a chance to reflect on how their understanding has grown.

3) English

The 5E model can be a great way to help students understand the concept of transition words in English Language Arts (ELA) through fun, hands-on activities.

1. Engage: To kick things off, the teacher gives students cards with transition words on them, like “first,” “second,” “after,” and “later.” The students act out these words, helping them start thinking about how transitions work in sentences.
2. Explore: Next, students work together to group the transition words into categories, such as words that show time, compare things, contrast ideas, or show contradiction. They also talk about how using different transition words can change the meaning of a passage, making it clearer or giving it a new perspective.
3. Explain: The teacher steps in to clear up any confusion students might have. The students get a chance to define what each transition word means and discuss what kind of images or body movements would best show these words in action.
4. Extend: Now, students work in groups to create their own visual or physical representation of the transition words. They apply their new knowledge to fresh passages provided by the teacher, showing how transition words can change the meaning of the text.
5. Evaluate: Finally, students share what they’ve created with the class, acting out the transition words and showing how they can be used in different contexts. This helps the teacher see how well the students understand the concept and gives them a chance to practice their communication skills.

4) Science

One way the 5E Model can be used in science is by having students design and build a roller coaster ride using software.

1. Engage: To start, the teacher might show videos of different roller coasters and the reactions of the riders. Students can then talk about their own experiences with roller coasters and brainstorm why these rides are so exciting. This step gets them thinking and talking about the topic.
2. Explore: In this phase, students get hands-on with the topic by building an accelerometer. They can then test it by spinning on a swivel chair while holding the device. By looking at the data they gather, they calculate the g-force and measure how mass affects the results.
3. Explain: Students dive deeper by looking at various amusement park websites to see the technical details about the roller coasters in those parks. They use workbooks to analyse the specs and learn more about how roller coasters are designed.
4. Extend: Here, students use roller coaster software to design their own roller coasters. There are free tools available, like No-limits Coaster software and simulations on websites like Learner.org. They’ll consider how math and physics come into play in the design process, answering the question of how engineers use these principles to make thrilling rides.
5. Evaluate: Finally, students demonstrate what they’ve learned by calculating the velocity, g-force, and centripetal force of their designs. They also write about these concepts in a creative way, like turning their calculations into a commercial, explaining how their roller coaster designs work to give the best thrill.

How Does Extramarks Smart Class Plus Follow the 5E Model?

Extramarks Smart Class Plus follows the 5E Model by using its features to support each step of the learning process:

1. Engage: The platform grabs students’ attention with interactive digital content and fun, game-like activities. This helps spark curiosity and makes them eager to learn. Teachers can use these tools to introduce new ideas in a way that connects with students and gets them excited about what’s coming next.
2. Explore: Students have the chance to dive deeper into topics at their own pace, thanks to the platform’s access to extra resources and round-the-clock classroom lectures. The curriculum is always up to date, offering activities that help students explore ideas and understand them better through hands-on learning.
3. Explain: Teachers can explain lessons in more detail using video explanations, interactive content, and cloud-based resources. This step helps clear up any confusion and helps students understand concepts more fully with the support of digital tools that make learning easier to follow.
4. Elaborate: The platform helps students put what they’ve learned into practice by encouraging activities like making presentations or exploring topics further. Features like classroom management tools and quick access to videos make it easier for students to apply their knowledge and reinforce what they’ve learned.
5. Evaluate: Evaluating students is made simple with smooth assessment tools and reports based on Bloom’s Taxonomy. Teachers can track students’ progress through different forms of assessment, such as peer and self-assessments. This ensures that students are mastering the material and can clearly demonstrate their understanding.

Closing Thoughts

The 5E model offers a simple yet engaging way to structure lessons, making learning feel more interactive and hands-on. It helps students connect what they’re learning to real-life situations and keeps them curious. By guiding them through each phase, teachers can spark interest and encourage deeper understanding. It’s an approach that makes education feel more meaningful and enjoyable.

Last Updated on January 23, 2025