An effective lesson provides the most impact on student achievement by ensuring that students are actively engaged in learning. It also allows students to reflect on their learning to make sense of their activities. Students are provided with opportunities to use, extend, and apply what is learned. The Five E (5E) instructional model, developed and modified by Roger W. Bybee, past executive director of the National Research Council and Center for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Education, provides such a model. Learning something new or understanding something familiar in greater depth involves making sense of both our prior experiences and firsthand knowledge gained from new explorations.

Click Content Resources to download the document for this course section. The purpose of this document is to provide educators with additional science content knowledge. This information does not need to be taught to students. It is provided for the teacher to better understand the concepts. This section also includes information on the 5E lesson model (which you will need for this actvitiy) as well as instructional strategies that have proven effective in the science classroom.

Once you have located the portion of the document that outlines the 5E lesson model, read the descriptions of each E. As you're reading, keep the following questions in mind.

• What is the purpose of the Engage?
• Why is it important to allow students to Explore before you Explain?
• Why is it important to follow the Explore with an Explain section?
• Which E allows students to apply and extend what they have learned?
• What are some examples of different types of assessments that could serve as the Evaluate?

View the following video for additional thoughts and ideas.

Now, take a moment to complete the Course Foundation and Components Assessment below.