TIES Lessons for All: 5-15-45

The Problem

This tool will help you go from borrowed, bought, or mandated lesson to a more inclusive lesson for all. Many teachers plan their instruction by using existing lesson plans. Starting with a lesson that comes from a curriculum package, online site, or colleague may save time, but also requires adjustment to meet your needs as a teacher and the needs of your students, especially those with significant cognitive disabilities. Think about your student with significant cognitive disabilities and what you are teaching, and let’s get started!

Grab your lesson

Option 1

“I have a general education lesson plan or an idea for a lesson that I can start working with”

Option 2

“I know what content I am teaching, but need a spark of an idea for this lesson”

Check out these lesson plans:

• English Language Arts (External site)
• Math (External site)

Let’s connect with your colleague 

• Advocate for common planning time with an administrator 
• Reach out to your team or colleague to plan a meeting
• Set expectations for your planning time with colleagues
• Do you have time for the big picture? Use this beginning of the year planning guide and checklist to start your collaboration out right

Let's get started! How much time do you have?

Select a timeframe to begin working on your lesson:

• In 5 minutes: you will identify the most important content (what) and instructional strategies (how) in the lesson.
• In 15 minutes: you will dig deeper into lesson design and get ideas to implement a specific instructional strategy to reduce barriers for students,  including students with significant cognitive disabilities.
• In 45 minutes: you will have the opportunity to build your own skills or facilitate learning opportunities for all students, including a student with significant cognitive disabilities.

All rights reserved. Any or all portions of this document may be reproduced without prior permission, provided the source is cited as:

• TIES Center. (2020). TIES Lessons for All: The 5-15-45 Tool. https://publications.ici.umn.edu/ties/5-15-45/overview

TIES Center is supported through a cooperative agreement between the University of Minnesota and the Research to Practice Division, Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education (# H326Y170004). The Center is affiliated with the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) which is affiliated with the Institute on Community Integration (ICI) at the College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota. The contents of this report were developed under the Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Education, but do not necessarily represent the policy or opinions of the U.S. Department of Education or Offices within it. Readers should not assume endorsement by the federal government. Project Officer: Susan Weigert

The National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) leads the TIES Center partnership.  Collaborating partners are: Arizona Department of Education, CAST, University of Cincinnati, University of Kentucky, University of North-Carolina–Charlotte, and the University of North Carolina–Greensboro.

TIES Center

University of Minnesota

Institute on Community Integration

2025 East River Parkway

Minneapolis, MN 55414

Phone: 612-626-1530

www.tiescenter.org

This document is available in alternate formats upon request.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and educator.