S1 E01 | 5 Time-Saving Tips for Lesson Planning
Episode 1: 5 Time-Saving Tips for Lesson Planning
Episode Overview & Promise
In this debut episode of Miss Estruch Teach & Tell, we’re diving into 5 time-saving tips for lesson planning that will help you take back control of your schedule, cut down planning hours, and bring balance to your week. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by lesson prep, these tips are tailored to make teaching easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable. Stick around to the end for a special free resource and a quick-win strategy that you can implement right away!
Resources Mentioned:
- Register for the FREE CPD sessions here: https://missestruchbiology.mykajabi.com/free-cpd-lessons
- Ready-Made AQA A-level Biology Lessons: View Lessons
- Free PowerPoint Lesson Template: Download Template Here
Connect with Miss Estruch:
- Email: missestruch@gmail.com
- Instagram: @miss.estruch.teach.and.tell
Episode Highlights: "5 Time-Saving Tips for Lesson Planning"
Listen to the full episode to get actionable strategies designed to help you spend less time planning and more time connecting with your students.
Key Takeaways
1. Use Templates
- Why It Works: Saves you from starting from scratch each time.
- How to Do It: Standardise lesson elements like learning objectives, main content, questions, and a plenary slide. Just tweak for each lesson!
2. Batch Plan
- Why It Works: Keeps you organized and ahead of schedule.
- How to Do It: Set aside a block of time weekly to outline upcoming lessons. Perfect for new teachers or seasoned pros! My AQA Biology resources can also speed up the process.
3. Use Themed Blocks of Time
- Why It Works: Increases focus and prevents procrastination.
- How to Do It: Assign a theme to your PPA periods, like dedicating one period solely for lesson planning or material requests.
4. Leverage EdTech Tools
- Why It Works: Simplifies tasks and engages students.
- Top Tools: Google Classroom, Kahoot, Canva, and ChatGPT. I’ll cover ChatGPT in-depth in a future podcast episode and an entire CPD event - register for the January CPD if you want to learn more!
5. Set Boundaries for Planning Time
- Why It Works: Helps you avoid overworking and maximise focus.
- How to Do It: Use “Parkinson’s Law”—set time limits for each task to finish efficiently and reclaim your evenings!
Teacher Confessions
Each episode includes a lighthearted confession! This week? My classroom slip-up where I once said “orgasm” instead of “organism” in a Year 11 class. Got a funny story to share? DM or email to have yours featured!
Quick Win of the Week
Save hours by using my PowerPoint template, instead of reinventing the wheel.
Resource Roundup
This week’s freebie is my PowerPoint Lesson Template! Download this editable file to streamline your lesson structure, giving you consistency and clarity with every lesson. Check the link in the show notes.
Thank you for listening to Miss Estruch Teach & Tell!
If these tips resonate, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share this podcast with fellow teachers. Every review helps us reach more educators looking for tools to make teaching a bit easier. See you next episode!
