Lesson Planning for Educators

Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK) is a framework used to categorize the complexity of thinking required to complete a task or answer a question. It’s often used in lesson planning and assessment to make sure instruction goes beyond surface-level understanding and challenges students to think more deeply.

The DOK Wheel breaks down four levels of cognitive demand that students engage in during learning tasks. It’s a helpful tool for lesson planning, helping you align activities with the level of thinking required.

Higher-order thinking questions go beyond memorization — they challenge students to analyze, evaluate, and create. These types of questions promote deeper understanding, spark meaningful discussion, and support critical thinking across all content areas.

The Danielson Framework is a widely used model for evaluating and supporting effective teaching. It outlines the key responsibilities of teachers across four key domains, helping educators reflect on their practice and improve instruction. The 2022 edition of the framework emphasizes equity, student voice, and professional reflection, aligning more closely with today’s diverse classroom environments.

The Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) Instructional Framework is a widely used teaching model that helps students develop independence and mastery in learning. It is often summarized with the phrase: "I do, We do, You do." This framework shifts the cognitive load from the teacher to the student through a series of intentional steps.

Not sure if your students are “getting it”? This popular resource by educator Todd Finley offers 53 creative, practical strategies to quickly assess student understanding — without relying on traditional quizzes or tests. These formative assessment ideas range from quick exit tickets and think-pair-share to movement-based checks and reflective prompts.