As a special education teacher and new mom, I know the struggle of trying to create engaging, meaningful lessons while juggling diaper changes, bedtime routines, and the mental load of motherhood. The hours I used to spend crafting elaborate lesson plans now feel like a luxury I can't afford.
But here's what I've learned: effective teaching doesn't require endless hours of planning. With the right strategies, you can create impactful lessons in half the time, giving you more precious moments with your family.
1. The Template System: Your Planning Lifeline
Stop reinventing the wheel every single week. Create master templates for your most common lesson types and reuse them throughout the year.
Quick Template Ideas:
- Reading Comprehension Template: Hook → Read → Discuss → Activity → Wrap-up
- Math Problem-Solving Template: Warm-up → Introduce → Practice → Challenge → Reflect
- Science Exploration Template: Question → Predict → Investigate → Record → Share
Once you have your templates, planning becomes a simple fill-in-the-blank exercise. Instead of starting from scratch, you're just plugging in new content to a proven structure.
2. Batch Your Planning Like Meal Prep
Just like meal prepping saves time in the kitchen, batch planning saves hours at your desk. Dedicate one focused session to plan multiple lessons at once.
Here's my Sunday planning routine:
- Set a timer for 90 minutes (this prevents perfectionism)
- Plan all similar subjects together (all math lessons, then all reading)
- Use a simple planning sheet with just the essentials
- Leave room for flexibility because we all know how unpredictable classroom life can be
"The goal isn't perfect lessons—it's sustainable teaching that allows you to be present for both your students and your family."
3. The Power of "Good Enough" Lessons
This was the hardest lesson for my perfectionist teacher heart to learn: not every lesson needs to be Pinterest-worthy. Sometimes, a simple, well-executed lesson is exactly what your students need.
Instead of elaborate activities, focus on:
- Clear learning objectives
- Student engagement strategies
- Quick formative assessments
- Meaningful closure
Your students will learn just as much from a thoughtfully planned "simple" lesson as they will from an over-the-top production that took you three hours to prepare.
4. Steal Like an Artist (Legally!)
There's no shame in using resources created by other teachers. In fact, it's smart time management!
My go-to resource strategy:
- Teachers Pay Teachers: Invest in quality resources that align with your curriculum
- Free district resources: Many districts provide excellent ready-made materials
- Colleague collaboration: Share planning duties with grade-level teammates
- Previous years' plans: Adapt and improve rather than starting fresh
Time-Saving Tip:
Create a "lesson bank" folder where you save every successful lesson plan. When you need to teach a similar concept again, you'll have a starting point instead of a blank page.
5. The 20-Minute Rule
Set a timer for 20 minutes per lesson plan. This forces you to focus on what truly matters and prevents you from falling into the perfectionism trap.
What to include in your 20-minute plan:
- Learning objective (2 minutes)
- Materials needed (3 minutes)
- Introduction/hook (5 minutes)
- Main activity steps (7 minutes)
- Assessment/closure (3 minutes)
If you can't plan it in 20 minutes, it's probably too complicated for both you and your students.
Your Time is Precious
Remember, efficient planning isn't about cutting corners—it's about being intentional with your time so you can give your best to both your classroom and your family.
These strategies have given me back hours of my week, allowing me to be more present during family dinner, bedtime stories, and those precious weekend moments. Your students will still receive excellent instruction, but you'll have the energy and time to enjoy your life outside the classroom.
What planning hack will you try first? I'd love to hear how these strategies work for you!