Are you spending countless hours planning lessons, yet still feel like you’re winging it each day?

Are you doing lots of advance prep, but still have to do more planning every night to feel prepared for the following day?

Check out this coaching call I conducted with a graduate of the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek. Her name is Rachel, and she’s felt caught in a trap that I bet you can relate to.

Rachel’s planning in advance, yet feeling like she’s flying by the seat of her pants, forgetting to do certain things with students even though it’s in the plan, and running out of time before getting to finish the lesson.

She’s also overwhelmed by the amount of teaching ideas to choose from, and feels like she’s spending far too much time trying to decide which resources to integrate and which to let go.

​Listen in on the coaching call OR read a summary of the lesson planning steps Rachel and I explore​

I’m so grateful to Rachel for sharing her lesson planning process so other teachers can try to figure out a better system, too. I think you’ll find it fascinating to get this glimpse into another teacher’s planning process and try to figure out where there are gaps and how to fill them.
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One of the most important takeaways is this ...

Do NOT leave yourself 5 different options and wait until the day of the lesson to decide what to use!

Often we fool ourselves into thinking the lesson planning for the week is done because we have 20 different things we can do.

But that means we still have to plan every night (or every morning) and make that final decision about which resources to use and which not to.

It’s good to leave some flexibility in your weekly plans so you can be responsive to your kids’ needs. But don’t start your day with a stack of 5 different activities you could use and then try to cram in as many as possible. The decision fatigue will become overwhelming.

The conclusion Rachel and I reach is one that I think will be very clarifying for you to hear: simplify, and plan less. Focus on doing fewer things better, and plan just the activities that are the best and highest use of your class time.

Want more ideas for more effective, efficient lesson planning?

Artificial intelligence is a game changer, and there are so many great AI tools to get you out of a lesson plan rut and create more engaging lessons quickly.

Check out this 9 minute training from teacher Lindsay Waters, a guest instructor in our 40 Hour AI program. She demonstrates how she plans student projects from start to finish using SchoolAI, including anticipatory guides, rubrics, and student directions.

With AI, it takes Lindsay a fraction of the time to lesson plan for big projects now:

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​Can't see the video above? Watch it here.

AI can also help you save time in other aspects of lesson planning, including generating vocabulary practice, exemplars, comprehension activities for articles, creating differentiated worksheets and graphic organizers, and even done-for-you slideshow presentations!

We have short trainings on all of these things and more in 40 Hour AI, so you can watch a 5 minute video on the exact task you want help with, and discover the best (free) AI tool and how to use it for great results.

Enjoy!

Angela

​ Angela Watson Connect with our community of educators: ​​​​​​ PODCAST CURRICULUM BOOKS COURSES SPEAKING

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