Sustainable Lesson Planning Grounded in Data (Part 1)

Hey there, SuperTeachers!

I hope this message finds you and your students well and thriving. As we work toward finishing the school year strong, let’s talk about a sustainable lesson planning practice — because planning shouldn’t feel like a sprint every week.

But first, quick question: Does your Sunday afternoon look like mine?

Is 3 PM on Sunday somehow the golden hour for lesson planning? For me, Sunday at 3p (not 4p or 9p) is the last opportunity to plan effectively and prevent poor instructional performance.

Lesson Planning Questions

Here’s my sustainable planning practice:

1. Student Data - Using exit tickets from the previous week, I identify reteaching needs. Sometimes the whole class revisits a topic; other times, I plan small group reteach sessions.

   
   

2. Doing the Work - Completing student assignments before assigning them is a non-negotiable. I print and annotate the Do Now, Classwork, and Exit Ticket. This ensures I know the challenges students may face and how to guide them toward success. This is where I intentionally plan my multi-lingual and special education supports.

   
   

3. Reusable Lesson Structure - A reusable 5-part lesson structure keeps me organized. This structure ensures consistency while giving students a predictable flow for each class.

   
   

Ready to refine your lesson planning routine but need help? Schedule a Virtual Coaching Call.

In the mean time keep up the amazing work, and I’ll see you on Wednesday with a deeper dive into my 5-part lesson structure!