Lesson planning............

When do you get it done? And, how long in advance do you have it done for?


Last year was my first year and I literally worked night by night....... it was so stressful. Each night I would prepare for the next and I was constantly working.

What's a better routine to get into? When do you ladies find is the best time to plan that doesn't intrude too much on your nights/weekends? Is that possible?!!

Re: Lesson planning............

i found planning one subject at a time for the week really helped, then i planned another subject and so on....once i had the week done, i felt better about my lessons and then i got into the routine of planning each sunday...if you can use your preps, you'll be better at planning too. how do the people on your grade level plan? do they get together to go over the next week's plans?

my grade level this year, sets aside one afternoon each week to plan the major things - reading/writing/read alouds & holiday/social studies...we follow our own schedule for math and science

hth

Re: Lesson planning............

Re: Lesson planning............

This is my 5th year, and my first year, we were required to hand in lessons for the upcoming week that Monday, so we had to be a week ahead. It's something I've always kept up, even though I'm no longer in that district. My current district doesn't require you to hand them in, but I still sit down on Sundays, pop in a movie, and plan my week. I just don't do it in detail like I used to when I hand them in.

I also do them class by class, but I'm secondary, so I don't know if that helps you or not LOL.

Re: Lesson planning............

This is my fourth year. I teach high school and have five preps.

As of right now, I have the first 2-3 weeks planned. Any day it rained over the summer, I tried to work on a lesson or two.

My first year I planned night to night and it was way too stressful for me. Now, I typically plan Saturday or Sunday for the upcoming week. I prefer working over the weekend so I have time to relax in the evenings after school.

It is easier now, but I must say I still spend a decent amount of time outside of school prepping. I just always feel like I can make my lessons a little better.

On another note, I never bring home stuff to grade.

Re: Lesson planning............

I'm awful at planning... it takes me forever, I never feel like it's good enough. I try to be a few days ahead, just have my sheets copied & an idea of what I'm doing in the coming week or so. It really does intrude on my nights & weekends though. I can't seem to avoid that.

Re: Lesson planning............

Since we have a teachers guide for math and literacy, it has helped tremendously in planning. I went from planning nightly as a new teacher to every few days. At one point, with teachers college, I was planning MONTHLY and it was awesome though TC sucked.

Anyway, I start with my plan book and fill in lunch and specials for the week. Okay, that's 2 boxes a day. Then I add my routine stuff. Then I add math. I go in order of the guide and supplement with my own stuff if I have to (ie: teaching time can't be done in one lesson, so I extend it over a few days). Half way there. The I do writing since I have a topic and writing has organizational steps to it. Then I do reading according to the guide. Finally, I fill in the extra boxes with SS and enrichment activities.

ETA: Like the poster below, I also plan on my preps and at lunch. I don't socialize during those times really so it helps to not bring so much home.

Message edited 9/9/2009 5:20:31 PM.

Re: Lesson planning............

I'm first grade..this is my 5th year.
When I started I was planning ALL WEEKEND to get plans done.
Now with my daughter I start them at school and finish at home last year. This year I am staying in my room on lunches and starting and finishing them at school. Not going to bring it home and keep that time to myself and my daughter and family.
It definitly gets easier to plan as the years go on and I plan by subject. ELA mon, tues, wed...etc. Math....science, ss so I can see my block subject at one time. Best of luck!!
I also plan on the comp. so each year my plans are saved now (just started this last year) so first day plans were done in 10min. copy and paste..GOOD LUCK back to school!!!

Re: Lesson planning............

thank you everyone!!!!!!!


I am trying to develop a new system.. I worked through lunch today and made sooo many charts. I find making charts are time consuming because I have bad handwriting so I do it slow to make it neat...............

I made all my charts already for next week for my lessons. I haven't made the lessons yet, but I know what I will be teaching....... and it will actually make the lesson planning easier because I can base it off of the chart!

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i plan weekly- mostly on my friday preps...
sure some days may not follow exact but then i either erase or make arrows in my plan book to shift things. I also make a homework sheet for the week...

Re: Lesson planning............

Re: Lesson planning............

I get to school early to start planning right then and there. Homeroom is at 8:30. I'm in school around 7:30. Its an hour of quiet and my time to plan. I try to plan on my preps and lunch, but there's usually people popping in and out (plus, I have to do paperwork and photocopy). I also stay half an hour after school to plan as well.

Re: Lesson planning............

Before I had my DD, I would get to work 2 hours early to get ALL of my work done. I am a morning person and it was soooo worth it. I really wouldn't have to do anything on nights or weekends this way. Only once in awhile, I might have to bring home some grading or something, but very rare. I also love how quiet a school building is before anyone gets there.

Now, I only go in about an hour early, but I've been teaching long enough that I'm in a nice groove. I only have to do a few things at home now.

A few things that I think are important are prioritizing and giving yourself permission to RELAX on nights and weekends!!!

Message edited 9/11/2009 7:18:04 PM.

Re: Lesson planning............

Re: Lesson planning............

Posted by PennyCat

Posted by jerseychick

Posted by Athee

i plan weekly- mostly on my friday preps...
sure some days may not follow exact but then i either erase or make arrows in my plan book to shift things. I also make a homework sheet for the week...

I usually try plan on Fridays too. I'll work through my lunch and prep and stay after until it's done. I'd rather do that than do it over the weekend. Someone else mentioned doing their planbook on the computer. I just started that last year as well. Today, I went to do my planbook for next week, and it was done in like 15 minutes...just tweaked a few things, and done!

I did this today! It was a friday....... and I worked through my preps, lunch, and stayed after school for an hour until my plans were done

I can't believe I am actually free to ENJOY the weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111