30 Free Experiential Learning Lesson Plan Templates and Tools for Teachers

Experiential learning is something special, but can be misunderstood or tricky to envision in the context of a school, classroom, or homeschool learning environment. That's why I have compiled a list of some free experiential learning lesson plan templates and tools; to support you through implementation of experiential learning! Let's dive in.

Experiential learning is somewhat as it sounds with a few key features added. It is learning through experience, yes. But the experience doesn't stand alone. There is a transformation that comes from experience, conceptualizing the experience, reflecting on the experience, and more. 

In the context of a classroom, I make curriculum experiential by giving students voice and choice, personalizing learning, and incorporating authentic and real-world experiences. 

You can see that these elements benefit students in many ways. Experiential learning gives them autonomy and agency, helps them see how the experiences themselves apply to their lives, offers them the opportunity to build essential life skills, and so on. 

Where educators often get stuck is knowing how to take those elements and execute them in a classroom environment. 

There are certain experiential learning activity types that organically incorporate these elements that I just mentioned such as student choice and authenticity. Project-based learning, experimental inquiry, service-learning, and community action projects are some examples to name a few. 

Each of these experiential learning activity types offer a framework that is inquiry-based, real-world, and student-centered. 

The free experiential learning lesson plan templates and tools that I mention in this blog post generally relate to those activity types. The resources fall under the umbrella of experiential learning. 

I think checking out the free experiential learning lesson plans is a great place to start if you're interested in incorporating experiential learning into your curriculum or learning day. 

Trying it out doesn't mean spending hundreds of hours going through training programs and developing materials. That's why I'm here! And, there's something for everyone!

There are a lot of free options below. If that feels overwhelming, let me help you out:

• The free resources are broken up into categories. Start by browsing those categories, choose ONE that interests you, and start with that free resource.
• If you're just breaking into experiential learning right now, I highly recommend starting with the Experiential Learning Playbook, the first free resource listed below!
• If you're here for project-based learning resources, which is why many educators find themselves on my website, again, I would recommend starting with a free course. The first free resource under the PBL category is a great course to start with.

Free Experiential Learning Lesson Plan Templates and Tools for Educators

Experiential Learning (General):

• Experiential Learning Playbook: Guide, Experiential Learning Activity Creation Tool, Examples
• Developing an Experiential Learning School or Program: Checklist and Guide
• Video Training: How to Design an Experiential Learning Activity (find the video inside my private Facebook group)
• Experiential Learning Weekly Schedule Sample and Template
• Experiential Learning Activity Reflection Guide 
• Free Poster: John Dewey Quote
• Video Training: How to Enhance Learning with Reflection

Project-Based Learning: 

• Project-Based Learning Mini-Course: 5 Simple Strategies to Prepare for Student-Led PBL ​
• PBL Implementation Tool Kit: Plan, Manage, Share
• Project Topic Brainstorming Activity
• Starting a Project: PBL Cheat Sheet​
• PBL Teacher Academy Course Sample
• Scaling Project-Based Learning Across Your School or Program: Your Complete Guide and Training
• Video Training: How to Utilize a Student-Led PBL Planner
• Video Training: How to Enhance Learning with a PBL Assessment Portfolio

Student-Led Learning:

• Student-Led Learning Cheat Sheet
• Video Training: How to Facilitate Student-Generated Assessments and Student-Led Evaluations

Personalized Learning:

• Personal Learning Plan Implementation Spreadsheet
• Interest Survey

Experiential Science:

• Ecology Scavenger Hunt: Photo Gallery Mini-Project
• Field Trip to the Zoo: Bingo Activity
• ​Endangered Species PBL Sample and Scaffolding Tool
• Video Training: How to Use Google Maps to Map Renewable Energy Hot Spots
  

Educational Travel:

• Mini-Project: Travel Brochure​
• School Trip Reflection Guide​
• How to Plan a School Travel Experience

21st-Century Skills:

• Video Training: How to Incorporate 21st-Century Skill-Building into Your Curriculum

Career and Technical Education:

• Senior Project Implementation Spreadsheet
• Senior Project Syllabus
• College Exploration Activity
• Student-Led Business Ideas Graphic Organizer

Experiential Learning Resources

Experiential Learning Courses:

Related Blog Posts:

Join our Experiential Education Facebook Group!

Did you know there is an experiential learning Facebook group? Check that out - Experiential Learning Community for K12 Teachers - and join in the discussion about experiential learning ideas such as real world learning in the classroom.
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