Instant download – fully editable, ready to use
What you’ll get
- A professionally-formatted Microsoft Word (.docx) file, designed for K-12 educators and teaching teams.
- A complete inquiry-based lesson plan checklist — with clear sections for objectives, inquiry focus, materials, procedures, assessment, and reflections.
- Easy-to-customise headings, checkboxes, and layout — simply add your own lesson title, subject/topic, grade level, and dates.
- A print-friendly version as well as an on-screen editable version, so you can use it digitally or in hard copy.
Why this template works
The inquiry-based approach encourages students to ask questions, investigate, analyze, and reflect — aligning with best practices in student-centred learning. This template offers:
- A structured yet flexible format that supports authentic investigation rather than a rigid “tell-and-test” lesson.
- Built-in components for scaffolding (question stems, guiding prompts, and collaboration) and differentiation for diverse learners.
- Alignment of learning objectives with inquiry skills, so planning connects directly to higher-order thinking.
- Reflection prompts for both students and teachers — promoting continuous improvement in inquiry teaching.
How it helps you
- Saves you planning time: just open the doc, fill in the fields, adjust the materials and procedures, and you’re ready to go.
- Supports deeper learning: tests and worksheets alone often limit critical thinking; this template shifts the focus to exploration and meaning-making.
- Useful for individual lessons, units, or as a recurring planning structure for inquiry-based teaching.
- Ideal for collaborative planning: share the Word file with colleagues, modify as a teaching team, and maintain consistency across lessons or grades.
What's included
- Cover header with space for Lesson Title, Subject/Topic, Grade Level, Date, Duration.
- Learning Objectives section (including space for essential questions).
- Inquiry Focus section (central question + sub-questions, prior knowledge connection).
- Materials & Resources checklist.
- Procedures broken into four phases: Engagement/Questioning → Investigation/Exploration → Analysis/Interpretation → Conclusion/Synthesis.
- Differentiation & Support section (strategies for diverse learners and extensions for advanced students).
- Assessment section: clearly delineated formative and summative portions, plus rubric placeholders.
- Student Reflection prompts.
- Teacher Reflection prompts.
- Ready-to-print layout (one page) plus additional pages if needed for extended lessons.
How to download & use
- Click the Download Now button.
- Receive the .docx file instantly (no email required).
- Open in Microsoft Word (or Word-compatible editor), fill in your lesson details, and customise as needed.
- Save, print, or share digitally with students or colleagues.
- Repeat for future lessons by duplicating the file and renaming it for each new topic.
Empower your students to inquire, investigate, and grow — download the Inquiry-Based Lesson Plan Checklist Template and take your teaching to the next level!
