Weekly Lesson Plan Template | Little Explorers Learning Hub

Plan for meaningful learning, then adjust from what you observe

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Alignment reminder: Use the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF) to guide planning and observation. Select goals that fit the children's age, developmental progression, individual strengths, and current learning. This is an independent planning resource, not an official Head Start form or a replacement for your program's approved curriculum and assessment procedures.

Explore ELOF Resources Behavior & Inclusion Tools

1. Planning Information

Program / center

Classroom / teaching team

Age group

Week of

Study / topic / children's current interest

What have children said, done, wondered about, or shown interest in?

2. Learning Goals and ELOF Connections

Choose a small number of meaningful goals. ELOF domain labels differ by age band: infants and toddlers have Language and Communication and Cognition domains; preschoolers have separate Language and Communication, Literacy, Mathematics Development, and Scientific Reasoning domains. Use the exact age-appropriate domain, subdomain, and goal from the official interactive ELOF. This framework guides planning; it is not a curriculum, screening tool, or child checklist.

Approaches to LearningCuriosity, persistence, attention, problem solving Social and Emotional DevelopmentRelationships, emotional expression, self-regulation Language and Communication / LiteracyUse Language and Communication for infants and toddlers. For preschoolers, select Language and Communication or Literacy as appropriate. Perceptual, Motor, and Physical DevelopmentMovement, coordination, sensory exploration, health Cognition / Mathematics Development / Scientific ReasoningUse Cognition for infants and toddlers. For preschoolers, choose Mathematics Development or Scientific Reasoning as appropriate.

Priority learning objective

ELOF subdomain and goal reference

Program school readiness goal / state guideline

Observable skill or developmental progression to notice

What will count as evidence of learning?

Key vocabulary, concepts, or home languages

3. Weekly Learning Experiences

Include play, routines, small groups, outdoor learning, and child-led exploration. Adapt the plan when children's questions or observations lead in a new direction.

Monday

Invitation, materials, intentional teaching, questions

Tuesday

Invitation, materials, intentional teaching, questions

Wednesday

Invitation, materials, intentional teaching, questions

Thursday

Invitation, materials, intentional teaching, questions

Friday

Revisit, reflect, extend, celebrate learning

4. Learning Environment and Materials

Materials to prepare

Learning centers / routines to extend the study

Open-ended questions and teacher language

5. Inclusion, Individualization, and Positive Guidance

Plan access and participation in advance. Use strengths-based supports, responsive relationships, predictable routines, and safe ways for children to communicate needs.

Visuals, picture cues, or first/then supports Gestures, AAC, home language, or communication supports Sensory choices, movement, or quiet space Adapted materials, positioning, or access Small group, extra wait time, or repeated practice Co-regulation, transition warnings, and predictable routines

Individual child strengths, interests, or support needs

Preventive guidance and replacement skills to teach

6. Observation and Documentation

Who / what will we observe?

How will we document learning?

Reflection and next steps after teaching

7. Family Partnerships

Family knowledge, interests, and contributions to invite

Optional home connection using everyday materials

8. Team Review

Reviewed with

Review date

Adjustments, follow-up, or materials to gather

Privacy reminder: include only the child information needed for planning. Store completed plans according to your program's confidentiality and recordkeeping procedures.