Lesson Plans That Fit on One Page

By Hellen Gomez, founder of Montessori Kids•October 28, 2026

Five lines per material

Material, presentation, extension, simplification, observation. If a plan cannot be written in those five lines, the idea is not clear enough yet to teach.

Write the first sentence

What exactly will you say first? Writing the opening line is the difference between a plan and a wish. It takes thirty seconds and saves the lesson.

Plan the extension before the presentation

If you know where the material goes next, the presentation is easier to keep simple. Extensions also give you something to offer the child who finishes in four minutes.

Name the observation

One line describing what you will look for: does the child self-correct, does the child repeat, does the child ask for help. A named observation is more likely to be recorded.

Keep the plan visible

A clipboard on the shelf beats a folder in a drawer. Assistants can read it. Substitute teachers can follow it. You can find it in a hurry.

Review in a minute

At the end of the day, add one line: what actually happened. Over a term, those lines become your real curriculum document.

Try it with your child

Montessori Kids has six hands-on activities for ages 4+. One-time purchase, no subscriptions.

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