Preschool lesson plan template, with ideas filled in
Pick a theme and we fill your week with hands-on ideas for every learning area. Change anything you like, then download a clean weekly plan to post or share.
- Fill in your detailsYour center, room and dates.
- Make it yoursEdit, add or remove anything. Turn parts on or off.
- Check the previewIt updates as you type.
- Download PDFOr get a blank copy to fill in by hand.
We filled in ideas for the theme. Type over anything, or get a fresh set of ideas.
Sample preschool weekly lesson plan
Theme: Fall and leaves. Letter L, number 5, color orange, shape oval. Pick this theme in the tool above to edit it.
| Area | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circle time | Talk: what changes in fall? | Read a leaf story and predict | Show-and-tell: something from outside | Sing a falling-leaves song | Share: favorite fall food |
| Literacy | Letter L: leaf, ladder, lemon | Leaf word wall with pictures | Trace L in a tray of sand | Read and retell a leaf story | Class book: 'In fall I see…' |
| Math | Sort leaves by color | Count leaves 1 to 10 | Measure leaves with blocks | Order leaves small to big | Leaf pattern: red, yellow, red |
| Art | Leaf rubbings with crayons | Paint with leaves as stamps | Tear-paper fall tree | Leaf collage on contact paper | Color mixing: red + yellow |
| Science and sensory | Leaf hunt with magnifying glasses | Sensory bin: leaves, acorns, pinecones | Why do leaves change color? | Float or sink: nature items | Pinecone weather watch |
| Outdoor and movement | Hop into leaf piles | Rake and carry leaves relay | Blow leaves with straws | Dance like falling leaves | Nature walk scavenger hunt |
How to write a preschool lesson plan
Pick a theme children care about
Use what they already talk about: the season, a holiday, animals, or a question someone asked. A good theme connects every part of the day.
Set two or three goals
Write goals you can see, like "counts 10 objects" or "names three colors." Tie them to your state's early learning standards.
Plan each learning area
Fill in circle time, literacy, math, art, science and sensory, and outdoor play for each day. Mix whole-group, small-group and free-choice time.
Keep it hands-on
Young children learn by doing. Plan for touching, building, moving and talking, not worksheets.
List your materials
Write down what you need so you can set up before the children arrive.
Watch, write and adjust
Take short notes on what children do and say. Use them to plan next week. Our anecdotal record writer helps you write them fast.
What to include in a preschool lesson plan template
- Teacher, class and week
- Theme and weekly goals
- Letter, number, color and shape of the week
- Daily plans for circle time, literacy, math, art, science and outdoor play
- Materials list
- Notes for children who need more support or more challenge
Need more ideas? Browse daycare activities by age, and fit your plan into a daily schedule.
More free help for your day
Share learning with families every day.
MyKidReports lets teachers assign weekly plans, record observations and share photos that parents see in the app. Start free for up to 5 children, or try Pro free for 14 days. Pro is $0.99 per child a month.
Common questions
What should a preschool lesson plan include?
The teacher, class and week, a theme, two or three goals, the letter, number, color and shape of the week, daily activities for circle time, literacy, math, art, science and outdoor play, a materials list and notes for children who need extra support.
How do I write a weekly preschool lesson plan?
Pick a theme, set a few goals you can observe, then plan one activity for each learning area on each day. Keep activities hands-on and short, list your materials, and adjust next week based on what you saw.
How long should preschool activities be?
About 10 to 20 minutes for group activities. Free-choice centers can run 45 to 60 minutes because children move between them.
Can I use this lesson plan template for toddlers?
Yes. Keep circle time to about 10 minutes, use more sensory and movement activities, and focus on one simple goal for the week.
Is this preschool lesson plan template free?
Yes. It is free and runs in your browser. Pick a theme, edit the ideas, and download a printable weekly plan, or a blank template to fill in by hand.