5E Instructional Model

Welcome to an exploration of the transformative 5E Instructional Model in education. As educators constantly seek dynamic methods to engage and enlighten students, the 5E Model stands out as a powerful approach. Rooted in five distinct phases—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate—this model fosters a student-centered learning environment that nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and deep understanding. In this article, we delve into each phase’s significance, unveiling how the 5E Instructional Model empowers educators to cultivate not just knowledge, but a genuine passion for learning within their students.

Overview 

When educators choose instructional models, they aim to help students thoroughly grasp new concepts by engaging them, fostering motivation, and guiding skill development. Incorporating inquiry-based approaches, like the 5E Model, can achieve this through active learning. The learning cycle, a sequence of events that enhances learning, involves exploration, term introduction, and concept application. In 1962, J. Myron Atkin and Robert Karplus highlighted these elements, starting with exploration to spark interest and raise questions. The introduction of new ideas and terms follows, involving negotiation between the instructor and students. Lastly, concept application enables learners to apply new ideas, test understandings in new contexts, and evaluate their comprehension. This approach, as described by Kimberly D. Tanner, emphasizes aligning teaching with how people learn.

The 5E Model, derived from the research of Atkin and Karplus, follows a structured approach to help students gradually comprehend concepts. Its phases are Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. Constructivist theory underpins this model, positing that people create knowledge from experiences. Students reconcile new and prior knowledge through understanding and reflecting on activities. Various educational approaches like inquiry-based, active, experiential, and discovery learning are variations of constructivism, as noted by expert Beverlee Jobrack.

In a classroom setting, constructivism demands that educators incorporate inquiry, exploration, and assessment into their teaching. This often transforms the teacher into a facilitator, guiding students through the process of learning new concepts.

What is 5E Instructional Model

The 5E Instructional Model is a learning cycle that is designed to help students construct their own knowledge through inquiry-based learning. The five stages of the model are:

1. Engage

The Engage stage of the 5E Instructional Model is designed to capture students’ attention and get them interested in the topic. It can be done through a variety of activities, such as:

• Asking questions that pique their curiosity

• Showing a video or image that is relevant to the topic

• Providing a hands-on activity that allows students to explore the topic

• Sharing a personal story or anecdote that relates to the topic

The goal of the Engage stage is to get students thinking about the topic and to create a sense of excitement and anticipation for learning more. It is important to choose activities that are relevant to the students’ interests and that will help them make connections between their prior knowledge and the new information they will be learning.

Here are some specific examples of activities that can be used in the Engage stage of the 5E Instructional Model:

• Asking questions: The teacher can ask questions that are open-ended, thought-provoking, or challenging. For example, the teacher might ask students to predict what will happen in a particular situation, explain why something happens, or share their own experiences related to the topic.

• Showing a video or image: The teacher can show a video or image that is relevant to the topic. This can be a short clip from a documentary, a news report, or a commercial. It can also be a photograph, a painting, or a piece of art.

• Providing a hands-on activity: The teacher can provide a hands-on activity that allows students to explore the topic. This could be a simple experiment, a manipulative, or a game.

• Sharing a personal story or anecdote: The teacher can share a personal story or anecdote that relates to the topic. This can help students connect with the topic on a personal level and see how it is relevant to their own lives.

The Engage stage is an important part of the 5E Instructional Model because it sets the tone for the rest of the lesson. If students are engaged and interested in the topic, they are more likely to be motivated to learn more.

Here are some tips for creating engaging activities for the Engage stage:

• Make sure the activities are relevant to the students’ interests.

• Use a variety of activities to appeal to different learning styles.

• Keep the activities short and engaging.

• Start with a bang! The first few minutes of the lesson are the most important, so make sure they are attention-grabbing.

2. Explore

The Explore stage of the 5E Instructional Model is where students actively explore the new concept through concrete learning experiences. They might be asked to go through the scientific method and communicate with their peers to make observations. This phase allows students to learn in a hands-on way and to construct their own knowledge.

Here are some tips for facilitating the Explore stage:

• Provide students with a variety of materials and resources to explore the concept.

• Encourage students to ask questions and make observations.

• Allow students to work together and share their ideas.

• Be a facilitator, not a director. Let students take the lead in their learning.

Here are some specific examples of activities that can be used in the Explore stage of the 5E Instructional Model:

• Conducting experiments: Students can conduct experiments to test their hypotheses about the concept. For example, students might conduct an experiment to test the effects of different types of fertilizer on plant growth.

• Collecting data: Students can collect data to support their observations. For example, students might collect data on the temperature, humidity, and rainfall in a particular location.

• Observing objects: Students can observe objects to learn more about the concept. For example, students might observe a plant to learn about its different parts.

• Building models: Students can build models to represent the concept. For example, students might build a model of the water cycle.

• Creating presentations: Students can create presentations to share their findings with others. For example, students might create a poster or a presentation on the effects of climate change.

The Explore stage is an important part of the 5E Instructional Model because it allows students to learn in a hands-on way and to construct their own knowledge. By providing students with opportunities to explore the concept, teachers can help them develop a deeper understanding of the material.

3. Explain

The Explain stage of the 5E Instructional Model is where students share their findings and explanations with the class. The teacher may also provide additional explanations or clarifications. This stage is important for helping students make sense of the new information they have learned and develop a deeper understanding of the concept.

Here are some tips for facilitating the Explain stage:

• Create a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing their ideas.

• Encourage students to ask questions and clarify their understanding.

• Provide students with opportunities to explain their findings in different ways, such as through writing, drawing, or speaking.

• Use a variety of teaching methods to reach all learners.

Here are some specific examples of activities that can be used in the Explain stage of the 5E Instructional Model:

• Whole-class discussion: The teacher can facilitate a whole-class discussion to allow students to share their findings and explanations.

• Small-group discussion: Students can work in small groups to discuss their findings and explanations.

• Writing activity: Students can write a report or essay to explain their findings.

• Drawing activity: Students can create a diagram or illustration to explain their findings.

• Presentation: Students can give a presentation to the class to explain their findings.

The Explain stage is an important part of the 5E Instructional Model because it helps students make sense of the new information they have learned and develop a deeper understanding of the concept.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind during the Explain stage:

• The teacher should not dominate the discussion. The goal is for students to share their own ideas and understanding.

• The teacher should encourage students to challenge each other’s ideas and ask questions. This helps students think critically about the concept.

• The teacher should provide feedback to students on their explanations. This helps students improve their understanding and develop their communication skills.

4. Elaborate

The Elaborate stage of the 5E Instructional Model is where students apply what they have learned to new situations or problems. This helps them to develop a deeper understanding of the concept and to make connections between the new information and their prior knowledge.

Here are some tips for facilitating the Elaborate stage:

• Provide students with opportunities to apply the concept in different contexts.

• Encourage students to be creative and think outside the box.

• Allow students to work together to solve problems.

• Be a resource for students, but let them take the lead in their learning.

Here are some specific examples of activities that can be used in the Elaborate stage of the 5E Instructional Model:

• Problem-solving activities: Students can work on problems that require them to apply the concept. For example, students might be asked to design a solar-powered car or create a plan to reduce pollution.

• Creative projects: Students can create projects that allow them to apply the concept in a creative way. For example, students might write a poem about the water cycle or create a song about climate change.

• Simulations: Students can use simulations to apply the concept in a virtual environment. For example, students might use a simulation to learn about the effects of different weather patterns.

• Role-playing: Students can role-play different scenarios that require them to apply the concept. For example, students might role-play scientists who are trying to solve an environmental problem.

The Elaborate stage is an important part of the 5E Instructional Model because it helps students develop a deeper understanding of the concept and make connections between the new information and their prior knowledge.

5. Evaluate

The Evaluate stage of the 5E Instructional Model is where students assess their own learning. This can be done through a variety of activities, such as:

• Quizzes: Students can take quizzes to assess their knowledge of the concept.

• Projects: Students can create projects to demonstrate their understanding of the concept.

• Self-assessment: Students can reflect on their learning and identify areas where they need to improve.

• Teacher observation: The teacher can observe students during activities to assess their understanding of the concept.

The goal of the Evaluate stage is to help students identify what they have learned and what they still need to learn. It is also a way for teachers to assess the effectiveness of the lesson.

Here are some tips for facilitating the Evaluate stage:

• Use a variety of assessment methods to get a comprehensive picture of student learning.

• Make sure the assessments are aligned with the learning objectives of the lesson.

• Provide students with feedback on their assessments so they can improve their learning.

Here are some examples of evaluation activities that can be used in the 5E Instructional Model:

• Performance assessment: This type of assessment requires students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a real-world context. For example, students might be asked to build a model of a solar system or conduct an experiment to test the effects of temperature on plant growth.

• Self-assessment tool with a rubric: This type of assessment allows students to assess their own learning against a set of criteria. The rubric provides clear guidance on what is expected of students, and it can help them identify areas where they need to improve.

• Graphic organizer: This type of assessment can be used to assess students’ understanding of a concept or topic. Students can create a graphic organizer to illustrate their understanding, such as a concept map or Venn diagram.

• Worksheets, quizzes, and unit tests: These types of assessments are more traditional, but they can still be used to assess students’ learning in the 5E Instructional Model. It is important to make sure that these assessments are aligned with the learning objectives of the lesson.

• Checklist of important concepts and vocabulary: This type of assessment can be used to assess students’ knowledge of key concepts and vocabulary. Students can be asked to identify or define important terms or to complete a matching activity.

• Construct a model: This type of assessment can be used to assess students’ understanding of a concept or topic by requiring them to create a physical model. For example, students might be asked to construct a model of the water cycle or the solar system.

• Creative assessment: This type of assessment allows students to demonstrate their learning in a creative way. For example, students might be asked to write a poem, create a song, or make a presentation about a topic.

The choice of evaluation activities will depend on the specific learning objectives of the lesson, the age and ability level of the students, and the resources available. However, the 5E Instructional Model provides a framework for incorporating assessment into the learning process in a meaningful way.