How to create an ILAW lesson plan
DepEd Order No. 016, s. 2026 introduced ILAW as the new simplified lesson-planning framework for Filipino teachers. Here is what each element means, with classroom examples you can use this week.
The four ILAW elements
What is ILAW?
ILAW stands for Intentions, Learning Experience, Assessing Learning, and Ways Forward. It is DepEd's simplified national standard for lesson planning under D.O. No. 016, s. 2026.
Unlike the previous DLL and DLP, ILAW is a framework rather than a fixed format. Schools and teachers can plan lessons in whatever format works for them, as long as all four elements are present and aligned.
The goal of ILAW is to make lesson planning a practical, professional tool for teachers — not a compliance-driven paperwork exercise.
I Intentions
What learners should know or be able to do
Clearly identify the targeted learning competencies from your Budget of Work and translate them into manageable objectives that match where your learners actually are — not just what the curriculum lists. Intentions answer: why are we doing this session?
Classroom example
Grade 7 Science, Mitosis week. Intention: learners will be able to name and describe the four phases of mitosis and explain why cell division matters for growth and repair.
- Competency is drawn from your BOW for this session
- Objectives are achievable within the time available
- Objectives reflect your learners' actual readiness
L Learning Experience
How learners will reach those intentions
Select appropriate resources and map out a coherent, engaging lesson flow that includes opportunities for integration and local contextualization. Also prepare a 'Hinay level' backup plan — a simpler version of the activity for days when class conditions are disrupted.
Classroom example
Resources: diagram worksheet, clay modeling activity, Tagalog summary handout for multilingual learners. Flow: activate with a body-growth question, build the concept through modeling, apply with a sketch-and-label task.
- Resources match the learning intention
- Lesson flow moves clearly from activation to application
- Integration with another subject or local context is included
- A backup activity is ready if class conditions change
A Assessing Learning
Checking understanding as you teach, not only at the end
Build in low-stakes formative checks throughout the session so you can adjust instruction in real time. This is not about grades — it guides your next decision: slow down, reteach, move on, or extend.
Classroom example
After the modeling activity, quick whiteboard responses: each learner writes the phase name when shown a drawing. Exit ticket: sketch one phase and explain it in one sentence.
- At least one check is built into the lesson, not just at the end
- Results let you decide what to do immediately
- Assessment aligns with the intention you set at the start
W Ways Forward
What happens after the lesson based on evidence
After the lesson or session, reflect on what the assessment evidence showed and decide next steps: remediation for learners who need more support, reteaching when most of the class did not reach the objective, enrichment or extended learning for those who are ready to go further.
Classroom example
Exit tickets show three learners confused Phase 1 and Phase 2. Plan: brief paired review next session. Two learners ready for extension: optional cell-cycle research task.
- You have noted what worked and what needs adjustment
- Learners who need support are specifically identified
- Next steps (reteach, remediate, enrich) are realistic for your schedule
What to prepare before you start
Whether you write manually or use a generator, gather these before you open the lesson plan so everything you produce matches your actual class.
- ✓Grade level, subject, and section
- ✓The BOW competency or competencies for this week
- ✓School profile details (region, division, district, school) for the plan header
- ✓Number of sessions you are covering
- ✓Awareness of any learners who need differentiated support
Common questions about ILAW
A few things about the new policy that come up frequently.
ILAW is just a new name for the Daily Lesson Log.
ILAW is a lesson-planning framework, not a document format. It replaces the DLL/DLP policy (D.O. 42, s. 2016). A plan that shows all four ILAW elements is sufficient regardless of what template it uses.
Schools must use the Annex B template.
Annex B in D.O. 016, s. 2026 is a reference guide, not a required national template. DepEd focuses on whether the four elements are evident and aligned — not on a specific form or format.
AI-generated lesson plans are not allowed.
D.O. 016, s. 2026 says AI may support routine drafting work. Fully AI-generated plans that skip teacher review and personalization are not acceptable. The teacher's professional judgment comes first.
Ways Forward needs a long written reflection.
Ways Forward is about deciding next steps from assessment evidence. A brief note — 'reteach Phase 1 with three learners next session' — is enough. It does not need to be a full written narrative.
Before you teach: a quick review
Before you print or submit your plan, run through this checklist. A plan that clears all four categories is ready for class.
Alignment
- Competency matches your BOW for this session
- Objectives are achievable in the time available
Learning Experience
- Resources match the intention and your learners
- Lesson flow moves logically from activation to application
Assessment
- At least one formative check is built into the lesson
- Assessment aligns with what you said learners would do
Inclusion
- Learners with unique needs or contexts are considered
Ways Forward
- You have decided what to do next based on assessment evidence
Using IlawLessonPlan Generator for ILAW drafts
IlawLessonPlan Generator does not replace your professional judgment. It gives you a BOW-aligned first draft in ILAW format so you spend time reviewing and personalizing instead of filling empty rows from scratch.
- 1
Set your Intentions
Choose the BOW competency for the week and write objectives that match your learners' actual readiness.
- 2
Design the Learning Experience
Select resources, map the lesson flow, include local context, and prepare a backup for disrupted class days.
- 3
Plan how you will Assess Learning
Add formative checks at key points in the lesson so you can adjust instruction in real time.
- 4
Prepare your Ways Forward
Decide in advance how you will respond to different evidence: reteach, remediate, or extend.
- 5
Review and personalize
Check that all four ILAW elements are aligned and that the plan fits your learners and school context.
Try 1 lesson plan on first sign-in
Set your teaching load with BOW competencies, generate an ILAW-aligned draft, review each element, and export Word when ready. No subscription.
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