The teachers’ planner
Increase your lesson-planning efficiency with a this tried and tested tool, evolved over two decades of use
Key features of an effective planning tool…
What are your Top 5 requirements? Here are mine.
- Shows planning chronologically, by day and lesson period…
- …but also shows the sequence of lessons for each class, irrespective of the calendar
- Includes the entire year, for long-term planning
- Is quick and easy to set-up and use
- Uses familiar, easy to access, free software
…all achieved through a clever spreadsheet
Works equally well in Excel Desktop/Online and Google Sheets
Examples of use
Long-term planning
I can see every lesson for each class for the entire year.
- When starting a new unit of work, I pencil in the lesson titles for maybe half a term into the future. This allows me to anticipate difficulties, such as rooming issues or inopportune breaks across holidays.
- At the start of the year, I compare the whole year to the school calendar, greying-out lessons that will be lost to mock exams, whole-school events, etc.
- When I know a deadline is approaching (e.g. for a test, a parents’ evenings, the end of the course, etc), I work backwards to count up and assign the remaining lessons between then and now appropriately.
Medium-term planning
- Lesson-planning boxes are large enough for a lesson title, but also a brief note to myself not to forget specifics (e.g. hand out this, finish off that…).
- The footer boxes are quick and easy reminders of common tasks (e.g. order equipment, copy worksheets, set or collect homework).
Non-teaching time
The right-hand side of the planner includes boxes for my non-contact time, including before/after school and break/lunch times.
- I can leave notes to myself (e.g. plan the details of an upcoming lesson, make a resource, submit copying)
- I note meetings, duties, etc
Creation service
The example/template offered for download above is straightforward to customise if you are familiar with spreadsheets. However, it can be time-consuming to map all the cell formulae correctly and to duplicate the timetable for all weeks of the year.
If you would prefer, I can create your bespoke ready-made planner for you. The service costs £20 and all I need is details of your timetable and school day/year. I’ll send you back a complete bespoke planner within 3 days.
Calendar file included
As a bonus, your planner will include a calendar file to add your entire year’s lessons to either Microsoft Outlook or Google Calendar.
Feedback
After you’ve used the template or the creation service, please come back and let me know what you think. Does this method of planning work for you?
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