KICD Lesson Plan Format 2026: The Exact Template (with Filled Sample)

Every term, the same conversation happens in Kenyan staffrooms: a new teacher's lesson plans get returned by the HoD with circles around missing sections. The KICD lesson plan format is not optional, but it's also not complicated once you've seen it written out clearly. This is the exact 2026 template, the eleven required sections explained, and a filled sample at the end you can copy from.

The 11 required sections of a KICD lesson plan

Below is the order. Skip any one and the plan is incomplete.

1. Header
2. Strand
3. Sub-strand
4. Specific Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
5. Key Inquiry Question
6. Core Competencies
7. Values
8. Pertinent and Contemporary Issues (PCIs)
9. Learning Resources
10. Organisation of Learning (Introduction → Steps → Conclusion → Extended Activities)
11. Reflection

Strand, sub-strand & specific learning outcomes — how to write them right

The single most common HoD complaint about lesson plans is that the SLOs are paraphrased instead of quoted directly from the KICD curriculum design. Don't paraphrase. The curriculum design is the legal source — copy the SLOs verbatim.

Example (Grade 7 Mathematics, Term 2, Algebra):

Strand: Algebra
Sub-strand: Linear Equations
Specific Learning Outcomes: By the end of the lesson the learner should be able to:

1. Identify linear equations in one unknown
2. Solve linear equations in one unknown
3. Apply linear equations to solve real-life problems

Three SLOs is the standard. Each one starts with an action verb. The cognitive level should rise across the three (identify → solve → apply).

Key inquiry questions — 20 examples that pass inspection

The Key Inquiry Question (KIQ) is the open question that anchors the lesson. It must be open-ended (not a yes/no), age-appropriate, and tied to the SLOs.

Examples that pass:

• "How do we solve a problem when we don't know one of the numbers?" (Grade 7 Maths, linear equations)
• "Why are some materials better at carrying electricity than others?" (Grade 8 Science, conductors)
• "How does the constitution protect us in everyday life?" (Grade 8 Social Studies, citizenship)
• "What makes a good story end well?" (Grade 6 English, narrative composition)
• "Why do we keep records of what happens on the farm?" (Grade 7 Agriculture, farm records)

Examples that fail (avoid):

• "Is the answer to this equation 5?" (closed)
• "Do we like science?" (not tied to SLOs)
• "Solve x + 3 = 7." (instruction, not a question)

Core competencies, PCIs & values — where they slot in

The seven CBC core competencies are: Communication and Collaboration · Critical Thinking and Problem Solving · Imagination and Creativity · Citizenship · Digital Literacy · Learning to Learn · Self-Efficacy.

Per lesson, name the 2–3 competencies the activities actually develop. Don't list all seven — that signals you didn't think.

PCIs (Pertinent and Contemporary Issues) include health education, life skills, citizenship, financial literacy, ESD, gender, child rights, safety. Pick the 1–2 that genuinely fit the lesson.

Values — typically respect, responsibility, integrity, patriotism, unity, peace. Same rule: pick the ones the lesson actually develops, don't decorate with all of them.

Filled sample — Grade 7 Mathematics, Term 2, Linear Equations

This is what a complete KICD lesson plan looks like, end to end, for one 35-minute lesson.

School: _____________  Teacher: _____________
Learning Area: Mathematics  Grade: 7  Term: 2  Week: 5  Lesson: 1
Date: _____________  Time: 35 min  Enrolment: _____________

Strand: Algebra
Sub-strand: Linear Equations

Specific Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the lesson the learner should be able to:
 a) Identify linear equations in one unknown
 b) Solve linear equations in one unknown
 c) Apply linear equations in solving real-life problems

Key Inquiry Question:
How do we solve a problem when we don't know one of the numbers?

Core Competencies: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving · Communication

Values: Accuracy · Patience

PCIs: Financial Literacy · Life Skills

Learning Resources:
Learner's Book p. 78–82 · Teacher's Guide p. 92 · chalk · exercise books · ruler

Organisation of Learning:

Introduction (5 min)
Recap previous lesson on algebraic expressions. Pose the key
inquiry question. Take 2-3 quick learner answers without
correcting. Tell the class today they will learn to solve for
the unknown.

Step 1 — Whole-class activation (7 min)
Demonstrate one worked example on the board: x + 3 = 7. Think
aloud through each operation. Connect to SLO (a).

Step 2 — Direct teach with worked example (8 min)
Demonstrate a second example: 2x = 10. Pause halfway and ask
class to predict the next step. Re-state KIQ — answer it using
this example.

Step 3 — Guided practice in pairs (8 min)
Pairs of mixed ability solve 4 equations from Learner's Book
p. 80. Walk around. Differentiate: stretch question for fast
finishers, scaffold for struggling pairs.

Step 4 — Independent application (5 min)
Each learner solves 2 problems individually. Tick books for
attempt and correctness. Affirm progress on SLO (c).

Conclusion (2 min)
Three quick recap questions. Affirm specific learners.
Preview next lesson — equations with brackets.

Extended Activities
Find one example of a "missing number" problem at home (a price,
a recipe, an age) and bring to next lesson.

Reflection (filled in AFTER the lesson):
_______________________________________________

Common mistakes that get lesson plans returned by HoDs

1. Paraphrasing the SLOs. Quote them verbatim from the curriculum design.
2. Closed Key Inquiry Questions. "Is x = 5?" is not a KIQ.
3. Listing all seven core competencies. Pick 2-3 that the lesson genuinely develops.
4. Skipping the reflection. Inspectors look for it; missing it counts as an incomplete plan.
5. Activities that aren't learner-centred. "Teacher explains then teacher gives examples then teacher writes notes on the board." That's the old 8-4-4 lesson; CBE expects learner activity at every step.
6. Time allocation that doesn't add up. A 35-minute lesson is 5 + 7 + 8 + 8 + 5 + 2 = 35. Make the maths work.

Where to get plans that already follow the format

Writing one lesson plan from scratch following all eleven sections takes 35–60 minutes. Doing this for every lesson, every week, every term, is the eight hours of weekly planning teachers complain about. Pre-written, KICD-aligned, editable Word packs solve the problem at KSH 300 per learning area for Term 2 (launch offer until 7 June 2026).

👉 Browse all CBC lesson plan packs

Related guides

• CBC Lesson Plans Kenya 2026 — Complete Guide
• Term 2 Lesson Plans 2026 — Editable Word Packs
• Lesson Plan vs Lesson Notes vs Scheme of Work