A lesson plan is a written guide that teachers use to structure their lessons. It provides direction and helps ensure good classroom management. Key elements of effective lesson plans include clear transitions between activities, effective use of time, variety, and precision. Common components of lesson plans include objectives, instructional activities, checking for understanding, guided and independent practice, and closure. Lesson planning models provide frameworks to incorporate elements like anticipatory sets, modeling, and evaluation. Technology can also support lesson planning and instruction.