What best describes a lesson plan?

A lesson plan serves as a comprehensive roadmap for both the instructor and the students, detailing how a lesson will unfold. It includes objectives, instructional methods, materials needed, and assessment strategies that align with the learning goals. By clearly outlining the content to be taught and the activities to be conducted, a lesson plan ensures that the instruction is organized and focused on achieving specific educational outcomes. This thorough level of preparation is essential for effective teaching and learning, making it the best description of what a lesson plan entails.

The other options focus on narrow aspects of the teaching process: assessment criteria alone do not encapsulate the entirety of instruction; a summary document provides an overview rather than the detailed steps for instruction; and while instructional materials are an essential component, they do not reflect the planning and methodological intent that a lesson plan conveys.