Tips for Elementary Teachers: How to Write Lesson Plans Quickly

So you're feeling like lesson planning takes longer than it should? I've totally been there too. Luckily, by using some simple tips, you can start to shave some time off of how long it takes to lesson plan!

Here are 4 tips on how to write lesson plans quickly:

Type Your Lesson Plans 

Ok, my teacher planner, paper-and-pencil obsessed friends, hear me out. Writing your plans by hand is fine, BUT there are a few things you can do when you type your plans that you just aren't able to do when you hand write them. See the tips below... 

Use Lesson Plan Templates

Have a template ready-to-go with the days of the week and rows for each subject you teach. You can set this up however works for you! I prefer the days of the week across the top as columns, and the subjects as rows.

Plan One Subject at a Time

Instead of planning all of Monday's lessons, plan out all of your math lessons for the week (for example). Why? Focusing on one subject at a time will create a smoother workflow. Your brain will be thinking only about math, instead of bouncing around from subject to subject. 

Keep It Simple - You Don't Have to Write a Script

 I'll be the first to admit that at the beginning of the year, I tend to write A LOT more into my lesson plans than I would as the year goes on. I think that's just because we've had our teacher brains shut off for the summer, so I feel the need to fully talk/type out my lessons as I write them. But honestly, it's not necessary. Try your best to keep it simple.

Here's an example from one of my read aloud lessons:

Objective: Students will demonstrate comprehension by making connections to a fiction text.

Mini-Lesson: Today I want to teach you that readers make connections when they read. Remind students what a connection is. Teacher reads to page 3 then models making a connection. Continue reading to p. 5. Model a connection again then prompt students to turn and talk to make a connection. Continue reading the rest of the book.

Independent Task: Students will draw about their connection to what was read.

Did you see how I kept the lesson brief and somewhat general? You could add more specifics - such as what the connection would be about, but no need to go into full detail.

You can find several lesson planning resources here!