5 Tips to Save You Hours on Lesson Planning Time

As a teacher, you know how much time can be spent on lesson plans each week. But with the right strategies, you can quickly create engaging lessons for your students without sacrificing precious hours. In this article, we’ll share 5 time-saving tips to help you streamline your lesson planning process and reclaim valuable time outside of school.

Why does lesson planning take so much time?

Even the most experienced teachers can find lesson planning time-consuming. You need to break down concepts, find or create materials, align with standards, and differentiate for diverse learners. Many teachers spend hours every week planning lessons.

Lesson planning can look vastly different depending on your grade level, subject area, and teaching style. Some teachers prefer detailed plans, while others just jot down key points. But regardless of your approach, the fact remains that teachers devote significant time to planning each week.

How can I create lesson plans more quickly and effectively?

Here are some strategies to save time lesson planning:

1. Use a simple template

Having a go-to lesson plan template can be a great time saver. Look for ones that prompt you to fill in the key information you need, like objectives, activities, and assessments. Templates help provide a consistent structure so you’re not reinventing the process each time.

2. Utilise existing resources

There’s no need to create everything from scratch. Tap into the wealth of teaching resources available online, such as Pinterest, Canva and Teachwire provide free lesson planning templates. Modifying existing materials often takes less time than starting from square one.

3. Batch your planning

Set aside a chunk of time for lesson planning, rather than trying to squeeze it in between other tasks. Many teachers find it helpful to plan a week at a time. Look at your upcoming standards and topics, then plan out your objectives and activities for each day. Batching helps you get in a planning groove.

4. Collaborate with colleagues

If you have grade level or subject area teammates, consider dividing up planning responsibilities. For example, one person can plan reading while another plans maths. Collaboration is a great way to share the load and save time.

5. Focus on the essentials

It’s easy to get caught up in Pinterest-worthy plans. But oftentimes, simple is better. Zero in on your key objectives and the information students need to learn. Don’t feel pressure to have the most elaborate lessons – meaningful learning is most important!

What’s the best way to save time when lesson planning?

While there’s no one “best” way, finding a planning routine that works for you is key. Here are some time-saving tips to consider:

• Create a lesson planning schedule, like every Sunday afternoon or Friday after school. Block off this time and protect it from other obligations.
  
• Keep your go-to preparation tools conveniently available, whether they are a useful website, a favourite teacher planner, or a printed curriculum guide. The less time you spend seeking, the better.
  
• Get in the habit of jotting down lesson ideas as they come to you throughout the week. Keep a running list so you have a starting point when you sit down to plan.
  
• Be realistic about how much you can accomplish in a single planning session. It’s better to do a little planning consistently than try to cram it all in at once.
  

How can I make lesson planning easier?

In addition to the time-saving tips above, here are some ways to streamline your planning:

• Invest time upfront to create templates and organisational systems. Having a simple template and designated place for all your planning materials sets you up for success.
  
• Embrace “good enough”. Lessons don’t have to be Pinterest-perfect to be effective. Focus on the most essential elements and give yourself grace about the rest.
  
• Build on previous plans. When teaching a unit or topic you’ve done before, pull up past plans and materials as a starting point rather than starting from scratch. Make tweaks as needed.
  
• Plan with the end in mind. Get clear on the specific objectives you want students to master, then work backwards to plan the activities that will get them there.
  

What resources can help with lesson planning?

From websites to curriculum guides to your new teacher bestie, there are tons of resources to help save you time in lesson planning. Here are a few to check out:

• Teachwire – this popular site has a wealth of pre-made lessons, activities, and materials. Some are free, while others are paid.
  
• Pinterest – searching for your topic on Pinterest can yield lots of creative lesson ideas and resources. Just be sure not to fall down the rabbit hole – set a time limit for your search!
  
• Your local curriculum guides and pacing calendars – these can be a helpful starting point for mapping out your units and lessons.
  
• Blogs and social media groups for teachers – following blogs or joining Facebook groups for teachers in your subject/grade level can be a great way to get lesson planning ideas and resources.
  

What if I’m teaching a new grade level or subject?

If you’re teaching a new grade level or subject, know that lesson planning will likely take more time upfront as you get acclimated. That’s totally normal! Here are some tips:

• Spend time reviewing the standards and curriculum for your new grade level or subject. Get familiar with the key concepts and skills students need to master.
  
• Reach out to colleagues who teach the same thing – they can likely share plans and resources to help you get started.
  
• Look for relevant resources to save you hours of planning time.
  
• Give yourself grace and go slow. It takes time to build up your arsenal of go-to lessons and activities in a new subject area. Focus on getting the essentials in place, then build from there.
  

What if I don’t have much time for lesson planning?

We get it – teaching is demanding and there never seems to be enough time! If your lesson planning time is really crunched, here are some suggestions:

• Streamline your other tasks and responsibilities where you can. Look for grading shortcuts, automate things you do regularly, etc. Saving time on other tasks frees up precious minutes for planning.
  
• Get in the habit of jotting down quick lesson ideas and notes as they come to you. That way when you sit down to plan, you’re not starting from a blank slate.
  
• Focus on planning one day or a few days at a time. It’s better to have really solid plans for the next day or two than try to rush-plan a whole week.
  
• Utilise any planning time your school provides, like PLC or grade-level collaboration meetings. Use this time strategically to divide up responsibilities.
  
• Consider co-planning with a trusted colleague. If you share responsibilities, you can potentially cut your planning time in half.
  

What are some common lesson planning mistakes?

Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to fall into some common lesson planning mistakes:

Trying to do too much

When we try to cram too many activities or concepts into a single lesson, it can feel rushed and disjointed. Be realistic about how much students can take in.

Not having a clear objective

Every part of your lesson should tie back to the key things students need to know or be able to do. Get crystal clear on your objective and cut anything that doesn’t support it.

Neglecting to build in some flex time

Lessons rarely go exactly as planned, and that’s okay! Pad your plans with an extra 5 minutes here and there to account for the inevitable disruptions or delays.

What does a good lesson plan look like?

While there’s no one-size-fits-all template, a solid lesson plan typically includes a few key elements:

• Clear, measurable objectives – what will students know or be able to do by the end of the lesson?
  
• An opener, such as a warm-up or hook to engage students
  
• Direct instruction – this is where you explicitly teach or model the key concepts
  
• Guided practice – an opportunity for students to try out the new concepts with your support
  
• Independent practice – a chance for students to apply their learning on their own
  
• Some form of assessment or exit ticket to see if students met the objectives
  
• Materials needed, like worksheets, links, books, etc.
  
• Differentiation notes for how to support struggling learners or extend learning for advanced students
  

In terms of format, lesson plans can range from a simple bullet point list to a multi-page template. The key is to find a structure that works for you and helps you feel prepared.

Final Tips for Saving Time on Lesson Planning

We covered a lot of ground, but here are the key takeaways for saving time on lesson planning:

• Find a lesson plan template that works for you
• Utilise existing resources rather than reinventing the wheel
• Batch your planning and honour that time
• Collaborate and divide planning tasks with teammates
• Focus on the most essential learning
• Have a consistent planning routine
• Invest in organisational systems upfront
• Give yourself grace and aim for “good enough”

With a little strategy and intentionality, you can streamline your planning process and create meaningful lessons without sacrificing all your free time.