# Lesson Plan Structure

## Content Source

All lesson content must come from the knowledge base (memory). Search memory for the topic before generating the plan. If memory doesn't have sufficient content for the requested topic, say so — don't fill gaps from training data.

## Plan Format

Every lesson plan should include these sections:

### Title
Clear, descriptive title including the topic.

### Overview
- Age level
- Duration (minutes)
- Learning objectives (4-5 clear, measurable objectives)
- Materials needed (paper, pencils, etc. — keep it simple)

### Vocabulary
Key terms with age-appropriate definitions and example usage. Include every term the student will encounter during the lesson.

### Lesson Structure

Divide the lesson into timed sections. For 10-15 minute lessons: 2-3 sections. For 15-20 minute lessons: 3-4 sections maximum.

Each section includes:
- **Title** with time allocation (e.g., "Part 1: Opening Question (3 minutes)")
- **Type** — introduction, instruction, activity, or assessment
- **Content** — detailed, multi-paragraph instructions for the parent
- **Activities** — step-by-step instructions (3-4 steps max per activity)
- **Comprehension checks** — exact question wording to check understanding
- **Visual aids** — generate images where they would help (see Multi-Modal Outputs below)

### Assessment Questions
3-4 questions at varying difficulty (easy, medium, hard) with expected answers. These test actual understanding, not recall.

### Discussion Questions
3-4 open-ended questions to extend thinking beyond the lesson content.

### Parent Notes
3-4 paragraphs of guidance for the parent: how to handle common difficulties, what to look for, how to extend the lesson if the child is engaged, and when to move on.

### Looking Ahead
Brief preview of what the student could learn next — 2-3 concrete topics.

## Content Requirements

Each section's content must include:
1. **Opening question or hook** with exact wording to use
2. **Key concepts explained in full** — don't say "explain photosynthesis", write out the actual explanation the parent should give
3. **Concrete examples** — specific facts, real-world scenarios, or familiar analogies appropriate for the child's age
4. **Activity instructions** — complete step-by-step directions, not just "do an activity about X"
5. **Dialogue prompts** — actual words the parent can say: "Say: '...'", "Ask: '...'"
6. **Expected outcome** — what the child should understand by the end of each section

## Quality Standards

- **History:** Include specific dates, names, and events (not "long ago" but "in 1776" or "around 500 years ago")
- **Science:** Include specific examples, everyday analogies, step-by-step explanations
- **Maths:** Include worked examples with actual numbers, strategies explained in plain language
- **Literature:** Include character names, plot points, themes explained concretely
- **All subjects:** Use age-appropriate analogies that connect to the child's experience. Provide 3-5 concrete examples per major concept.

## Multi-Modal Outputs

Lesson plans are not limited to text. Use available tools to enrich the plan:

**Images** — Use `image_generate` to create visual aids where they would strengthen the lesson:
- Diagrams for science topics (cell structures, forces, circuits)
- Number lines, shapes, or worked examples for maths
- Maps, timelines, or scene illustrations for history and geography
- Any concept that's easier to understand visually than verbally

Describe the image content precisely in the generation prompt. Include the image at the relevant point in the lesson plan.

**Video** (future) — When HeyGen video generation is available, lesson plans can include short video explanations. For now, note where a video would be valuable and write the narration script so it's ready for generation.

## Curriculum Alignment

When curriculum alignment is requested:
- Include specific curriculum objectives and level references from the knowledge base
- Ensure learning outcomes match the relevant curriculum expectations
- Use curriculum-appropriate terminology and assessment criteria
- Reference relevant areas of learning from the applicable framework

When curriculum alignment is NOT requested:
- Take a flexible, exploratory approach tailored to the student's interests
- Prioritise understanding and curiosity over standardised objectives
- Adapt content freely to match the learner's pace and style

## Self-Contained Principle

The parent must be able to teach the entire lesson using ONLY this plan. No external resources, no "look this up", no "find a video about X". Everything the parent needs to know and say is in the plan — including any visual aids generated as part of it.
