The 5E instructional model is known for increasing student engagement and participation in the learning process. While viewing the video recorded lessons of middle school mathematics teachers, the researchers noticed teachers had a difficult time implementing the 5E model with fidelity. This case study explored the extent to which mathematics teachers used the 5E instructional model in their classrooms through analyzing video recorded lessons. The findings illustrate that the challenges of the teacher varied. They had difficulty finding activities related to the phases and moving away from a teacher-centered approach to a student-centered approach were identified as challenges of the teachers. The findings of this study inform educators about the difficulty’s teachers have in implementing the 5E model with fidelity. Also, the researchers elaborate on what phases need to be addressed specifically when teachers are provided professional development regarding lesson instruction.

This systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted to identify the factors that influence how pre-service science/math teachers implement the 5E instructional model and the challenges and barriers they face in doing so. Sixteen studies were identified in various electronic databases, and a meta-ethnography method was used to review the qualitative studies. The findings illustrate that the experiences of the pre-service teacher varied. Time, resources, method courses, training, field experience, beliefs, content knowledge, and classroom size were identified as influences on the practice of pre-service teachers. To sum up, this review provides a better understanding of pre-service teacher experiences in implementing the 5E instructional model.