Lesson Plan Framework | AI for Educators | AskSmarter.ai | Resources

Lesson planning is where teaching becomes tangible. But it is also where hours disappear. Research shows teachers save nearly 6 hours per week when AI assists with planning - time that goes back to actual teaching.

The key is prompting AI with the right structure. This framework ensures every lesson plan includes clear objectives, engaging activities, and thoughtful differentiation - whether you are teaching fifth graders or training corporate teams.

Before

Create a lesson plan about photosynthesis for middle school.

After

Create a comprehensive lesson plan using the OLAAD framework:

CONTEXT:
- Topic: Photosynthesis
- Audience: 7th grade science class (25 students)
- Duration: 55-minute class period
- Prior knowledge: Students understand plants need sunlight, have not studied the chemical process

OBJECTIVES (use Bloom's verbs):
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Explain the basic equation of photosynthesis
2. Identify the inputs (CO2, water, light) and outputs (glucose, oxygen)
3. Diagram where photosynthesis occurs in a plant cell

CONSTRAINTS:
- Must include hands-on activity
- Need formative assessment checkpoint
- Provide extension for advanced students
- Include accommodations for 3 ELL students

OUTPUT FORMAT:
- Detailed timeline with teacher actions and student activities
- Materials list
- Discussion questions
- Exit ticket questions

The OLAAD Framework

OLAAD ensures every lesson has clear direction and meets diverse learner needs: Objectives, Learner profile, Activities, Assessment, and Differentiation.

Objectives

What will learners be able to DO after this lesson? Use action verbs. Measurable outcomes, not vague goals.

Learner Profile

Who are your learners? Prior knowledge, learning preferences, potential challenges, and motivations.

Activities

How will learners engage with the content? Balance instruction, practice, and application. Build toward objectives.

Assessment

How will you know if learning happened? Formative checks during the lesson, summative assessment at the end.

Differentiation

How will you adapt for different learners? Extensions for advanced, scaffolds for struggling, alternatives for different styles.

Learning Objectives

Great objectives are specific, measurable, and use action verbs from Bloom's Taxonomy.

Weak Objectives

“Understand photosynthesis”
“Know the causes of WWI”
“Appreciate poetry”

Strong Objectives

“Diagram the photosynthesis process”
“Analyze three causes of WWI”
“Identify literary devices in a poem”

Remember:

define, list, recall, identify, name, recognize

Understand:

explain, summarize, paraphrase, describe, illustrate

Apply:

demonstrate, solve, use, implement, execute

Analyze:

compare, contrast, categorize, examine, differentiate

Evaluate:

judge, critique, justify, assess, argue

Create:

design, construct, develop, compose, formulate

Learner Profile

The more AI knows about your learners, the more tailored the lesson plan.

Learner Profile Prompt

Help me define the learner profile for my lesson:

BASIC INFO:
- Age/Grade level: [e.g., 10th grade, adult learners]
- Class size: [number]
- Subject area: [topic]

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE:
- What do they already know about this topic?
- What prerequisite skills do they have?
- What misconceptions might they bring?

LEARNING CONTEXT:
- Learning environment: [in-person, online, hybrid]
- Available technology: [devices, platforms]
- Time constraints: [class duration, frequency]

DIVERSITY:
- Language learners: [number, proficiency levels]
- Learning differences: [IEPs, 504s, or learning styles to consider]
- Advanced learners: [how many, how to challenge them]

ENGAGEMENT:
- What motivates this group?
- What topics or formats get the best response?
- What challenges have you faced with engagement?

OUTPUT:
A learner profile summary I can include in lesson plan prompts.

Activities & Content

Effective lessons balance different activity types. Use this structure for engagement.

Hook (5-10 min)

Capture attention. Connect to prior knowledge or real-world relevance. Create curiosity.

Direct Instruction (10-15 min)

Introduce new content. Keep it focused. Use visuals and examples. Check for understanding.

Guided Practice (15-20 min)

Students apply learning with support. Partner work, group activities, structured practice.

Independent Practice (10-15 min)

Students work alone to demonstrate understanding. This is where you assess.

Closure (5 min)

Summarize learning. Connect to next lesson. Exit ticket or reflection.

Pro Tip

No direct instruction segment should exceed 15 minutes. Break up with quick checks, turn-and-talks, or movement.

Assessment

Assessment is not just at the end. Build in checkpoints throughout.

Formative (During)

Thumbs up/down checks
Mini whiteboard responses
Turn and talk observations
Quick polls or quizzes
Exit tickets

Summative (After)

Tests and quizzes
Projects and presentations
Written responses
Performance tasks
Portfolios

Differentiation

One lesson, multiple pathways. Plan for struggling, on-level, and advanced learners.

Differentiation Prompt

Create differentiation strategies for this lesson:

LESSON TOPIC: [topic]
MAIN ACTIVITY: [describe the core activity]

CREATE THREE VERSIONS:

1. SCAFFOLDED VERSION (for struggling learners)
- What supports will help them access the content?
- What can be simplified without lowering expectations?
- What additional resources or templates might help?

2. ON-LEVEL VERSION (for most students)
- The standard activity as designed
- Include peer support options

3. EXTENSION VERSION (for advanced learners)
- What additional challenge or depth can you add?
- What connections to other concepts can they explore?
- What leadership or teaching role can they take?

ALSO INCLUDE:
- Accommodations for ELL students
- Options for different learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic)
- Technology alternatives if available

Quick Templates

Ready-to-use prompts for common lesson planning needs.

Prompt

Generate discussion questions for [TOPIC] at [GRADE LEVEL].

Create 3 questions for each level:
1. RECALL: Questions that check basic understanding
2. ANALYSIS: Questions that require comparing, contrasting, or examining
3. SYNTHESIS: Questions that require creating connections or new ideas

Format each question with:
- The question itself
- A possible student response to look for
- A follow-up probe question

Prompt

Create an exit ticket for a lesson on [TOPIC].

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
[List 2-3 objectives from your lesson]

CREATE:
1. One question that checks objective #1
2. One question that checks objective #2
3. One metacognitive question (How confident do you feel? What questions do you still have?)

CONSTRAINTS:
- Students should complete in 3-5 minutes
- Mix question types (multiple choice, short answer)
- Include clear success criteria for each question

Prompt

Design a collaborative group activity for [TOPIC].

CONTEXT:
- Class size: [number]
- Time available: [minutes]
- Resources available: [list materials]

CREATE:
1. Clear instructions for students
2. Role assignments (if applicable)
3. Materials needed per group
4. Success criteria and deliverable
5. Discussion prompts for debrief
6. Accommodations for groups that finish early/late

Next Steps

The OLAAD framework turns generic lesson plans into thoughtful, differentiated learning experiences. AskSmarter.ai can guide you through each step with questions tailored to your subject and learners.

Create your lesson plan

Answer questions about your topic, learners, and constraints. Get a complete, differentiated lesson plan ready for your classroom.

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