• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Ms. Rachel Vincent

A Teaching Blog

  • Home
  • Blog
    • Management
    • Organization
    • Teacher Tools
    • Back to School
    • Seasonal
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • Management Guidebook
    • Back to School Roadmap
    • Kickstart Your Year Blueprint

How Year Long Planning Can Save You Time

June 14, 2017 by Rachel

Are you a planner? As teachers, we are required to be planners and to flexible with those plans all at the same time!  But do you ever feel like you just can’t seem to get a handle on all the planning you’re required to do?  This is exactly how I felt and planning usually comes naturally to me!
How Year Long Planning Can Save You Time - Planning Your Way to a Better School Year - Free Template

 

One thing I’ve learned after many years of teaching is that just because you know how to plan doesn’t mean you are planning effectively!  Most teachers are required to do weekly plans and even if you’re not, you still need to know what you’re going to teach!  What I realized is that planning needs to be systematic…a system of when to plan and how to make your planning time more effective.
The Plan Your Way to a Better School Year Series is going to show you how to systemize your planning so that you can leave work at a decent time and have your nights and weekends back!!
Part 1: Year Long Planning
Part 2: Weekly Planning
Part 3: Planning Tips

How Year Long Planning Can Save You Time!

For the past 6 years, I have spent my summer creating year-long plans.  Now, don’t get all nervous on me…they’re not detailed like the long-range plans you had to create your first year of teaching!
They’re just an overview, of what will be taught each week!  This helps in 2 ways…
How Year Long Planning Can Save You Time - Planning Your Way to a Better School Year - Free Template
  1. You can make sure you cover everything you need to by the end of the year (or in some cases, by state testing time)
  2. It makes weekly lesson planning 10x easier!!

Step 1: Schedule the Time

You’ll need to set aside a good chunk of time to complete your year-long plans.  Especially if you are wanting to integrate some of your subjects.  Summertime is usually a great time to get your year-long plans done!  You have the time and brain space to actually do it, plus it sets you up for a successful year!  But if you’re reading this during the year, just plan out the months you have left!

Step 2:  Gather the Materials

You will need to find your school calendar and district’s curriculum or pacing guide to reference as you’re planning.   If your district doesn’t have a pacing guide, then find your state standards to help guide you.  You may want to have a paper version in order to cross things off as you add them to your year-long calendar.  That way you can make sure you’ve included everything.  You might also want to pull any teacher manuals or programs that you use and have those nearby.
How Year Long Planning Can Save You Time - Planning Your Way to a Better School Year - Free Template

Step 3: Create the Calendar

This is where you will put all your topics or units of study.  I have a free template in Microsoft Word available that’s completely editable so you can modify it in order to add your school dates, subjects, etc.
Year Long Planning Template

Step 4: Plan the Year

Once you’ve plugged in your school days, then pick a subject and start planning!  It’s easier to start with a more straightforward subject such as math, but there’s no right or wrong way to do it.  If you want to tie the reading and writing curriculum in with your science & social studies standards, it will probably take a little longer to plan.
*Personally, I print the calendar blank after setting up the dates.  I find it easier to plan with paper & pencil first so I can make changes without having to mess with merging and unmerging boxes in Google Sheets. Then I transfer over to the digital version
Once you’re all finished, sit back and celebrate the fact that you’ve planned your whole year!  Yes, things will change as the year goes on, but at least you have a blueprint for what it should mostly look like.  The best thing is this will make your weekly planning so much easier! 

Click here for the second part to see how to systematize your WEEKLY lesson planning.

  • Rachel
  • Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Featured, planning, Time Management

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rachel D. says

      June 19, 2020 at 8:32 PM

      This looks amazing! Just the resource I need to get organized. How can I get access?

      • Rachel Vincent says

        June 22, 2020 at 5:47 PM

        Hi Rachel!
        I just moved my website to a new platform and it looks like the sign-up forms did not transfer over. I have fixed it and you should be able to sign up now. Sorry about that!

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome! I love sharing ways to simplify your classroom and your teaching

    Follow Me

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram

    Find it fast

    Footer

    Disclosure

    I sometimes use affiliate links in my content. This won't cost you anything but helps keep this site up and running. Thanks for your support!
    • Amazon
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    MS. RACHEL VINCENT © TERMS · PRIVACY POLICY · BRANDING + WEBSITE DESIGN BY LAUGH EAT LEARN

    Back to Top

    msrachelvincent

    Rachel | 4th Grade Teacher
    🍂☀️ Embracing the Seasons: Which One's Your 🍂☀️ Embracing the Seasons: Which One's Your Fave? ☀️🍂
Is it the vibrant colors of autumn, the warmth of summer, the freshness of spring, or the coziness of winter? 🍁🌻🌨️ 
As for me, I'm all about that Pumpkin Spice Season! 🎃✨ There's just something magical about sipping on a pumpkin spice latte while the leaves fall around you. It's a true autumnal delight! 🍂🍁
Share your favorite season in the comments below, and let's celebrate the unique joys each season brings to our lives! 🌟🌸🍃❄️ 
#FavoriteSeason #PumpkinSpiceLove #EmbraceTheSeasons #TeacherLife #CozyConversations
    🎉🍫🔥 Have you heard about the S'more Treat 🎉🍫🔥 Have you heard about the S'more Treats for Teachers event for 2nd-5th grade teachers? 📚🍎 We're giving away an amazing prize package worth over $250! Plus, up to 18 freebies and loads of $1 and Half Price Deals to help you in the classroom. 🎁 
Swipe ▶️ to see what you can grab from my store for only $1!
Don't miss out on this sweet opportunity to stock up and save for the school year. 🤩 Click my link in stories or find all the goodies here:  https://sherrimiller.my.canva.site/smoretreats4teachers #SmoreTreats4TeachersEvent 
#teachersofinstagram #teachersofinsta #iteach #iteachtoo #teacherspayteachers #tpt #elementaryteachers #upperelementaryteachers #teacherresources #teachingideas #teachersoftpt #igteachers
    Ready to take your classroom management game to th Ready to take your classroom management game to the next level? Look no further – I've got something special just for you! 🚀🌈
Check out my FREE Guidebook for Classroom Management – tons of strategies, tips, and insights to create a positive and thriving classroom environment! 📒✨
🔑 From effective behavior management techniques to fostering a strong classroom community, this guidebook is your key to unlocking success in managing your students' needs and fostering their growth! 🌟📝
🌟 Ready to embrace a classroom where every student thrives? Click the link in my bio to grab your FREE Guidebook for Classroom Management and embark on a journey towards a more organized and joyful teaching experience! 🛍️🌈
Tag your fellow teachers who could use a little extra classroom management magic, and let's create classrooms where learning and growth flourish! 📚🏫 Together, we'll make classroom management a breeze! 💫🔑 
#FreeGuidebook #ClassroomManagement #TeachersSupportingTeachers #EducationMatters #TeacherLife
    Let's talk about these trusty Multiples Charts! 📊✨
🧠📝 For those students who find memorizing multiplication facts a bit tough, these Multiples Charts are here to save the day! 🚀🌈 These charts become their superpower when tackling complex math problems, guiding them toward success step by step! 💪🔗
🔢 By providing a visual reference of multiplication tables, we empower our students to build a strong foundation. They'll gain the confidence to take on math challenges with a positive mindset! 📚🤗
🌟 Click the link in my bio to grab your Multiples Charts 🔗
Tag your fellow teachers who could use this math magic, and let's help our struggling learners thrive in the world of numbers! 📊🎉 
#MultiplesCharts #MathMagic #EducationMatters #TeachersSupportingTeachers #StudentSuccess
    🔢🎮 Fun Alert: Free Multiplication Memory Gam 🔢🎮 Fun Alert: Free Multiplication Memory Game! 🎮🔢
I've got something special to share with you and your students – a FREE Multiplication Memory Game! 🌟🧠
Struggling with those tricky multiplication facts? Don't worry, I've got your back! This game is a super engaging way to practice and master those numbers that sometimes trip us up. 📊🚀
🃏 Simply match the multiplication problem with its correct answer, and watch your memory skills grow as you play! 🧩💪
Ready to level up your math fun? Click the link in my bio to snag your free Multiplication Memory Game and help your students conquer those facts with a smile! 🛍️🎉
Tag your fellow teachers who are all about making learning a blast, and let's share the magic of math in a fun and interactive way! 📚🎲 
#FreeResource #MultiplicationMagic #EducationMatters #TeachersSupportingTeachers #LearningThroughPlay
    If you could press a button for a teaching superpo If you could press a button for a teaching superpower, which one would it be? 🤔🔮 
1️⃣ Read minds for 3 days – Imagine the insights into your students' thoughts! 🧠📚
2️⃣ Skip to Friday afternoon – Who doesn't love a bit of time travel, right? ⏰🎉
3️⃣ Double your lunch time – More time for that delicious meal! 🥪💤
4️⃣ Never grade papers again – Say goodbye to the paper pileup! 📝✨
5️⃣ All meetings are emails – No more meeting madness, just organized communication! 📧💬
6️⃣ Always have hot coffee – Keep that caffeine flowing for endless energy! ☕🚀
Which button would YOU press? Share your choice in the comments below and tag a fellow teacher who'd love to join the fun! Let's embrace our teaching dreams and sprinkle a bit of magic into our day! ✨📚 
#TeachingSuperpowers #TeachersRock #FunChoices #TeacherLife #EducationMatters
    Load More... Follow on Instagram