Discovering Science and Math
Using the 5E Model
KATHRYN CRAWFORD
JOYE BETH SPINKS
TARA THOMPSON
WKU NOYCE SCHOLARS
SKYTEACH
What are the 5E’s?
 Engagement
 Exploration
 Explanation
 Elaboration
 Evaluation
Balancing Acts
Create Your Own
 Cell Division
 Osmosis
 Probability
 Statistics
Engagement
 Grab Learner’s Attention
 Identify Misconceptions
 Assess Prior Knowledge
 Sell the lesson to the students!
Engagement Ideas
 Interesting/Thought Provoking Problem
 Real World Connection
 Audio or Video
 Story
 Discrepant event
 Cause Disequilibrium or Doubt
 Demonstration
Exploration
 Pose questions that allow students to test ideas
 Allow students to work together
 Students take charge of their own learning
 Use critical thinking to solve problems
 Teacher serves as guide
Exploration Ideas
 Solve a problem
 Construct a model
 Design or perform an experiment
 Use authentic data to answer open questions or
make decisions
Explanation
 Students share results
 Clarify the results of the Exploration
 Teacher guided discussion
 Correct misconceptions
Explanation Ideas
 Lecture and do notes if needed
 Class discussion
 Have students explain significance to each other
 Peer analysis
 Readings
Elaboration
 Apply concepts learned in exploration to another
situation
 Real world applications
 Connect to previous or future lessons
 Can be eliminated under time constraints
Elaboration Ideas
 Connect to a current event
 Bring in a professional who uses the concept being
learned in their job
 Show a computer simulation of the concept
 Can be similar to exploration activities
Evaluation
 Formal or Informal
 Check for comprehension
 Can occur at different points in the lesson
Evaluation Ideas
 Exit Slip
 Ranking Task
 Writing Prompt
 Presentation
 Test
 Questioning
5E Benefits
 Easily allows checkpoints for comprehension
 Sets up for inquiry in the classroom
 Increases intrinsic motivation (students driven by a
“need to know”)
 Facilitates collaborative learning
 Provides opportunities for critical thinking
Notes About 5E
 Can easily be stretched to multiple days
 Can be used with other instructional methods
Looking Back
 Engagement?
 Exploration?
 Explanation?
 Elaboration?
 Evaluation?