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What is a 4MAT Lesson Plan?

The 4MAT lessons that are found on this site, are all built on a common instructional framework—The 4MAT System. 4MAT Lessons all share a the following features. All 4MAT Designs move people from Why to What to How to If?

Here are other features of 4MAT lessons…

They create fascination

They begin by captivating and inspiring learners by showing how learning connects to them and relates to their own lives (We call this the CONNECT step). One key feature of a good Connect activity, is that it does not include any Content or even a problem involving the use of the content. With our model, connections must first come from the students, either through an activity that relates or an EXPERIENCE that draws them into the learning process, to want to know more, to understand Why?

They generate active dialog

4MAT Lessons encourage student sharing and discussion and include methods for drawing students into discussions about how information relates (The ATTEND step). Social dialog and sharing are crucial in the 4MAT process, and are built-in to the design process. Our model rests on the belief that people often learn as much from each other, as they do from the teacher.

They uncover the essence or clarify the purpose of learning

They uncover the essence, by helping learners see the big picture or how learning connects to the underlying content that teachers are asking learners to master (THE CONCEPT). It is not possible to teach a 4MAT wheel without first knowing the over-arching idea that you are teaching or how it relates.

They encourage student adaptation of knowledge

They let students take over, to be responsible for their own learning and to create something new in the world by using learning in some new and original way. Learning by doing has much more impact than just listening to information. The 4MAT Model requires people to do something new with learning—to adapt information in a new and original way. This is the PERFORM step of 4MAT and the one that students often enjoy the most.

They address both sides of the brain

4MAT Lesson Plans incorporate right and left mode processing techniques into each major phase of learning. Our research with students has shown that both types of strategies are important but students seem most engaged in the Right Mode steps of 4MAT, so these are crucial steps in creating more dynamic learning for students.

4MAT requires a new conception of how people learn—one that challenges the methods that educators use to deliver information. Here are some of the shifts that occur when instructors or educators begin using this model.

In a 4MAT learning environment, you will see More of this…

  • Motivational activities, that connect learning to the lives of students
  • Displays of student work
  • Lively discussions of diverse viewpoints
  • Visual displays of key information and ideas
  • Learning by doing
  • Active projects, not seat work
  • Key conceptual ideas, that tap into the interests of students
  • Student initiated learning

In a 4MAT learning environment, you will see Less of this…

  • Fragmented presentations that do not connect
  • Skills and Drills
  • Rote memorization
  • Long lectures
  • Knowledge for knowledge sake
  • Teacher-directed learning
  • Students asking,“Why do I need to know this?”

It is just not enough to know what students should learn. Teachers must also consider How people learn. That is what 4MAT helps provide—a process for helping people improve the quality and impact of learning.

Please explore these teaching designs. Or try some of these ideas out in your classroom! We look forward to your feedback and insights.