5E Instructional Model

The 5E lesson plan model is founded on giving students more opportunities to make sense of concepts and minimize the role of the teacher.  This model is effective for teaching science because it allows students to learn from their own personal observations.  The five steps of the model are as follows: 

ENGAGE: Connects students’ prior knowledge with their present experiences, while uncovering any current knowledge and misconceptions they might have.  This part of the model will effectively create interest and curiosity in the lesson material if the teacher presents the lesson in an interesting way.    

EXPLORE: This aspect of the model allows students to actually experience things.  Students are able to develop creative thinking skills while making observations and connections about what they experience.  Students are encouraged to ask questions and make connections.  

EXPLAIN: Gives students an opportunity to comprehend the evidence they collected during EXPLORE, and allows them to also collaborate with their peers and gather more information.  During this stage, students explain what they discovered using their own words, and get to hear what everyone else discovered as well.  

ELABORATE: Students assess the information and observations discussed during “EXPLAIN”, but extend it further to elaborate on their findings.  

EVALUATE: Students have an opportunity to show their understanding for their discoveries and the lesson itself.  They also get an opportunity to show their progress as the unit continues.  

After watching the videos on eClass, I think I have a decent understanding of this method of teaching.  I don’t think this process is too hard to grasp.  I like that this model gives students a chance to take control of their own learning, as well as collaborate with others and discuss their results.  I think this model would be a very effective model to use for writing a lesson plan.