What is a 5-E model?

What is a 5-E model?

This model describes a teaching sequence that can be used for complete programs,
specific units and individual lessons. These strategies support the constructivist learning cycle,
which helps students create their own understanding of new experiences and ideas.

The 5-E model is a method for structuring a research-based teaching method is based on a
model developed by the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS). This model employs 5Es:
engage, explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate, and is based on a constructivist philosophy of
learning. 

In this learning philosophy, students build or develop their own understanding of new ideas based
on what they already know. Each E represents part of a sequential instruction process or learning
cycle designed to help students build their own learning experiences and the final understanding
of the topic or concept. 

The 5 E model represent the five stages of the teaching and learning sequence: 

• Engage,
• Explore, 
• Explain, 
• Elaborate
• and Evaluate. 

ENGAGE 

• Engage-Achieve student interest and have them personally participate in the lesson,

and at the same time, make an assessment of prior knowledge. 

• During this stage, students are presented with an educational task. 
• They make connections between past and present learning experiences, and think about

what they will learn during the next activities. 

• The 5 E model activities are designed for students to participate through activities and

experiments, plans class stimulate students' curiosity and encourage them to ask their own questions.

• Teachers:
• At this stage, teachers present a topic or concept with a question or demonstration
• fascinating, intriguing and challenging designed to capture student interest, curiosity,

and attention.

• At this stage, teachers do not seek a "Correct Answer"; Instead, they encourage

students to talk about what they already know about the subject (or think they can know) and

discuss what else students would like to know.

EXPLORE

• Exploration makes students get involved with the topic so that they can develop their

own understanding.

• Exploration experiences provide students with activities that help them identify and improve

current concepts (i.e., misconceptions), processes and skills. 

• Students have practical fun in laboratory activities that help them use their prior knowledge

to generate new ideas, explore questions and possibilities, as well as design and conduct preliminary

research. 

• The teacher acts as a moderator, delivering materials and guiding the students.
• Teachers:
• During the exploration, students perform various activities to solve problems or

practices and experiments designed to help them explore the topic and make connections to

concepts related, often within groups or teams. 

• During this stage, students share experiences common, while the teacher acts as a

facilitator, providing materials as needed and guiding the students' approach.

EXPLAIN

• This stage provides students with the opportunity to communicate what they have learned

and understand what it means. 

• At this stage, students begin to communicate what they have learned by demonstrating their

understanding of conceptual, process skills or behaviors. 

• Students share ideas with each other and with their teacher, who provides an explanation of

the curriculum that is made to guide them towards a deeper understanding. 

• These segments present vocabulary in context and correct or redirect the wrong concepts.
• Teachers:
• At this stage, teachers help students observe patterns, analyze results, and/or draw

conclusions based on their activities and research. 

• Teachers also define vocabulary that is relevant.

ELABORATE

• This stage allows students to use their new knowledge and continue to develop a deeper

and broader understanding.

• During the elaboration, the students expand the concepts they have learned, make

connections with other related concepts and apply their knowledge to the world around them

through additional activities. 

• Teachers:
• Teachers challenge and expand knowledge and students' conceptual skills.
• At this stage, the teachers help students make connections based on the concepts

or ideas they have learned previously with other related concepts and new situations.

EVALUATION *

• Evaluate how much learning has been achieved. 
• The evaluation phase helps students and teachers assess how much learning and

understanding has been achieved. It allows teachers to evaluate progress

• Students with respect to the achievement of educational objectives.
• Evaluation and assessment can occur at any time during the educational process.
• Teachers:
• In the final stage, teachers evaluate or value the students' understanding of the

subject studied. 

• This assessment can be formal or informal, but it must demonstrate a clear

understanding of what students have learned throughout the lesson.