Focus Literacy
The Three-Part Lesson Plan Framework
The three-part lesson plan format has become a cornerstone of effective teaching across Ontario schools, particularly in elementary settings and increasingly in secondary classrooms. This inquiry-based, problem-solving structure actively engages students and cultivates deeper understanding through strategic phases of learning.
Designed to promote critical thinking and student-centered exploration, this framework aligns seamlessly with Ontario's curriculum emphasis on active learning and problem-solving skills.
🧠 Minds-On: Setting the Stage for Learning
This initial phase captures student attention and typically occupies 10–20% of class time. It's your opportunity to activate prior knowledge, establish connections to previous learning, and introduce an engaging "hook" that piques curiosity.
Teacher's Role
  • Present a compelling problem, question, or activity related to the main topic
  • Facilitate brief discussions to uncover existing knowledge or misconceptions
  • Clearly communicate the Learning Goal and Success Criteria
Student's Role
  • Actively participate in discussions and introductory activities
  • Make connections between prior learning and new concepts
  • Understand what they'll learn and how success will be measured

Key Tip: The Minds-On phase sets the tone for the entire lesson. A strong hook can transform student engagement and motivation.
🛠️ Action: The Heart of Discovery
The Action phase forms the core of your lesson, consuming approximately 60% of class time. Here, students dive into new material, explore strategies, and actively construct their understanding through hands-on engagement.
Teacher's Active Role
  • Circulate throughout the classroom, observing student progress
  • Use Assessment for Learning strategies to gauge understanding
  • Ask probing questions that guide without revealing solutions
  • Provide differentiated support through accommodations and modifications
  • Encourage productive struggle and critical thinking
Student's Active Role
  • Work independently or collaboratively to solve problems
  • Represent thinking using various methods (diagrams, models, writing)
  • Explore multiple strategies and approaches
  • Engage in productive struggle and persevere through challenges
  • Share ideas and learn from peers
🎯 Consolidation and Connection: Solidifying Understanding
The final phase brings learning together and typically takes 10–20% of class time. This crucial step ensures students reflect on their learning, make connections, and confirm mastery of the lesson's objectives.
01
Share Student Thinking
Select diverse student work samples to showcase various strategies and approaches. Consider using a Bansho display or Gallery Walk to highlight different solution methods.
02
Facilitate Debriefing Discussion
Guide conversations that highlight key concepts, compare strategies, and address any lingering misconceptions. Encourage students to explain their reasoning and learn from peers.
03
Summarize and Connect
Pull together main ideas, make explicit connections to real-world applications, and preview how this learning builds toward future lessons.
04
Check for Understanding
Use Assessment of Learning strategies like exit tickets, quick writes, or reflective prompts to gauge whether students met the learning goal.
Why This Phase Matters
Consolidation transforms individual discovery into collective understanding. When students share strategies and reflect on their learning, they deepen comprehension and develop metacognitive skills essential for lifelong learning.

Remember: Students learn as much from explaining their thinking as they do from hearing others' approaches. The consolidation phase makes learning visible and transferable.
Ready to Apply This Framework?
This flexible three-part structure promotes student-centered learning and aligns perfectly with Ontario's curriculum focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and inquiry-based instruction. Whether you're teaching mathematics, literacy, science, or social studies, this framework adapts to meet your specific subject needs.
Mathematics
Explore problem-solving strategies, number sense development, and mathematical reasoning
Literacy
Discover reading comprehension strategies, writing processes, and language conventions
Science
Investigate inquiry-based experiments, scientific method, and STEM integration
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