Science Lesson Plan Template

A science-specific template built around the scientific method, with sections for phenomena, investigation, data analysis, and claims-evidence-reasoning (CER) writing.

ScienceBiologyChemistryPhysicsEarth ScienceElementaryMiddle SchoolHigh School

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  • Structured PDF with guiding questions per section
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When to use this template

  • Lab days and hands-on investigation lessons
  • Lessons built around phenomena and driving questions
  • When students need to practice CER scientific writing
  • NGSS-aligned instruction integrating content, practices, and crosscutting concepts

Template sections

Present an observable event or question that students will investigate.

What phenomenon will anchor this lesson? What question will drive investigation?

State the content knowledge and science practices.

Content: Students will understand that...

Practice: Students will be able to...

Standard(s): ...

Surface what students already know and identify misconceptions.

What do students already know? What common misconceptions exist?

Plan the hands-on investigation or data analysis.

Procedure: ...

Materials: ...

Safety: ...

Data collection: ...

Guide students to analyze data and discuss findings.

How will students organize data? What patterns should they look for?

Students construct a scientific explanation.

Claim: ...

Evidence: ...

Reasoning: ...

Summarize key ideas and connect to the bigger picture.

Key takeaways? How does this connect to the next lesson?

The Flip Perspective

Science is a process of discovery, starting with real-world phenomena. This template aligns with the NGSS approach of using investigations to build evidence-based explanations. Flip's AI helps by generating relatable phenomena and scaffolding the CER framework for your specific scientific topic.

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Adapting this Template

For Science

Science pairs well with lab work: the structured phases keep inquiry focused while leaving room for student-driven investigation.

For Biology

Apply Science by adapting the phase timings and prompts to fit Biology's unique content demands.

For Chemistry

Apply Science by adapting the phase timings and prompts to fit Chemistry's unique content demands.

About the Science framework

Science instruction is most effective when students do science: observing phenomena, asking questions, designing investigations, analyzing data, and constructing explanations. This template structures lessons around authentic scientific practices.

Anchoring phenomena: Modern science education begins with phenomena, observable events that students can investigate and explain. The template starts with a phenomenon to ground the lesson in real-world curiosity.

The three dimensions: Current standards integrate Disciplinary Core Ideas (content), Science and Engineering Practices (what scientists do), and Crosscutting Concepts (patterns across disciplines). This template plans for all three.

Claims-Evidence-Reasoning (CER): The CER framework teaches students to make a claim, support it with evidence from their investigation, and explain their reasoning. The template includes a dedicated CER section.

Hands-on investigation: The template structures investigations, whether full experiments, demonstrations, simulations, or data analysis. It prompts for safety, materials, student roles, and expected outcomes.

This template works for inquiry-based lessons, lab activities, demonstrations, and data analysis sessions across all science disciplines.

Pair with these methodologies

Experiential Learning

Hands-on learn-by-doing with structured reflection

Document Mystery

Analyze evidence to solve a historical question

Concept Mapping

Build visual maps of concept relationships

Trading Cards

Create and exchange character/concept cards

5E Model

The 5E Model structures lessons through five phases (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate), guiding students from curiosity to deep understanding through inquiry-based learning.

Middle School

Built for grades 6–8 with adolescent learners in mind, balancing structure with autonomy, collaborative learning, choice, and identity-affirming instruction.

High School

Designed for grades 9–12 with deeper analysis, Socratic discussion, independent research, and assessment preparation. Built to support college and career readiness.

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Frequently asked questions

An anchoring phenomenon, learning objectives tied to content and practices, prior knowledge activation, a hands-on investigation, data analysis, a CER writing task, and a wrap-up.
CER stands for Claims-Evidence-Reasoning. Students make a claim (answer), support it with evidence (data), and explain their reasoning (the scientific principle connecting evidence to claim).
Start with an observable event that sparks curiosity. Present it without explaining it, then let students ask questions and investigate. The phenomenon anchors the entire lesson.
Science and active learning go hand in hand. This template already centers on investigation and CER writing, which are inherently hands-on. Flip missions take it further by framing the investigation as a student-driven challenge: testing a hypothesis through a simulated experiment, debating competing scientific explanations, or designing a solution to a real problem. Many teachers use this template for the lesson flow and Flip for the investigation activity itself.
All lesson plan templatesExplore active learning methodologies