…did you read the title and cringe?! haha

It’s ok if you did. I used to cringe my first few years of teaching when it came to sitting down and writing my lesson plans. I mean, as if stressing over writing IEPs, invitations, re-evaluations, behavior plans, student schedules, paraprofessional schedules, outside agency schedules, daily/weekly goal progress, etc., etc., wasn’t enough paperwork for us to worry about!

By year 4 or 5 of my teaching career, I decided to NOT let lesson plans get the best of me. This year is the start of year 12 and I’ve been FINALLY feeling good about them. I say “good” because we all have a week here and there where we feel defeated. haha

I’ve planned a lot of lessons, in both the pull-out and inclusion settings – in grades K-12 learning support and emotional support. Some days a lesson I planned for didn’t get covered – or even started.  Some weeks my plans look liked the week’s before, BUT – that’s special education. We adapt our plans not only daily, but sometimes by the hour or minute – AND THAT’S OK. 

Since I started sharing my classroom resources on TPT, blogging, and joining the Instagram teacher community, I’m most frequently asked how I do lesson plans in my special education resource classroom. So, if you’re reading this and wondering the same thing, I have to start by saying it’s been a lot of trial and error. However, I’ve finally put together ALL of the lesson plan templates I have used over the past 10+ years, and as of May decided to share them all with you on TPT.  
These templates have been a huge life saver for me.  My district has us submit formal plans online. Which is great. However, I don’t always want (or have time) to sit at my computer and edit that day’s or the next day’s lesson.  I like to take notes keeping track of what I taught, what I didn’t get to, the centers I used, the students who still need extra practice, who was absent, etc. There are also class times during my school day where I’m teaching multiple subjects or grade levels, during one class period. That can definitely be confusing to keep track of who is doing what when.  These templates help keep me organized and on track with all of that.

Before I start into how I plan, I just want to say that I realize how I plan in my classroom is not how everyone plans, or not a way everyone wants to plan.  However, I’m going to be as detailed as I can describing my planning, that way you can see if it will work for you! ALSO – please keep in mind that COMPLETELY EDITABLE PowerPoint files are also included.

I have broken the planning templates down by: 
6 & 8 period weekly plans
daily class/subject/period plans 
scope and sequence plans 

Feel free to read them all, or scroll to find the one that sounds best for you!

6 period planning is how I have been planning, for the past few years.
However, this year is different. If you want to know why scroll to Scope & Sequence Lesson Planning. 

I’ve had 5 periods where students report to me for their math and/or ELA classes, as well as one co-taught class I am in.  I treat my co-taught classes just like the classes I teach in my room.  I record the lessons that were taught and keep notes.

Photo A. shows that all weekly plans come in a format to be displayed laying flat like this. I print a cover sheet on the front side of the left hand page (shown in the planning shouldn’t be stressful photo).

Photo B. shows the 6 classes going above the top, and the days of the week going down the left side.  Where you see the word “CLASS” there are also options included that say “SUBJECT” and “PERIOD.”  I choose to use the “CLASS” option because at times I have two classes during one period. Rather that it saying “PERIOD: 1,” or something of the like, I rather it list the classes.

Photo C. shows the right hand side of the planning sheets. I use the option that has a spot for me to write “NOTES.” I write notes such as if something needs printed for the next day, if a student needs to re-do something, if I need to plan a specific lesson for a co-taught class, etc.

Photo D. is the same right hand side with “NOTES,” but instead of just listing your “LUNCH” you can list your “LUNCH/RECESS.” Perfect if you’re an elementary teacher and leaving your plans out for your substitute.

Photo E. is a right hand side of the planning page option to list important words for the week, instead of taking notes.  There is also a “LUNCH” and “LUNCH/RECESS” option to choose for the bottom.

I don’t use these plans as my formal plans, but some of you might want to.
I have provided two additional options, for your 6 period planning. These options provide more room in the template planning boxes. As these boxes are unable to be edited in size. 

Photo A. & B. allow for you to add a warm-up, the lesson, materials, and any homework.

Photo C. & D. allow for you to add the lesson, standard, materials, and if you can move on or re-teach.

Both options have the CLASS/SUBJECT/PERIOD located on the top and the days of the week down the left hand side. Both options also include lunch or lunch/recess, prep, duty, and important events down the right hand side.

The 8 period plan templates mimic the the 6 period plan additional options, I spoke of just above this photo.

Photo A. and B. are identical to the templates in the photo above. The only difference is that there are 8 planning boxes.

Photo C. shows a blank weekly plan template. Both 6 and 8 period lesson plan templates come with the option of being fully filled in – to just the headings filled in – to nothing filled in.

Photo C. also shows my favorite part about all my planning sheets. I fill in the headers at the beginning of the year and then just print a ton – because I write in the planning boxes. I highlight or circle the days for that week.

Next up are the daily lesson planning templates.  I seriously found myself using these for the last three months of school, last school year. With all the state testing going on and schedules being changed, my plans were always out of whack. PLUS – I missed a few days here and there and my substitutes loved that I left these as my plans.

Photo A. has the optional cover sheet shown, as well as what I complete at the very beginning of my school year.  Each daily lesson plan template included has a CLASS/SUBJECT/PERIOD option. Just like with weekly plans, once I insert text boxes for the class, time, and my student roster, I print out a ton! I’m already running to the copy machine, more than I want to be. haha

Photo B. is an up-close photo of the roster list. Two different roster sizes are available. I love having my roster on my plans.  It makes attendance so much easier. I check off everyone who was present and I can easily see who will need taught the lesson when they return.

Photo C. shows the optional bottom portions of the daily planning templates. I always insert my lunch, prep, and duty. Mainly because I don’t use a cover sheet with it already included.

Photo D. is zoomed in to show where standards can be inserted.  There’s the option of having a set spot to add a text box to type in your standard(s), or not having them included at all. Like I’ve said, my formal plans have the standard included, so I do not include the standard on any template.

After 11 years it happened. How I submit lesson plans has changed.  We are now required to submit our plans in scope & sequence format – still via online. At first I panicked. I felt so comfortable with how I was planning and staying on track. Then, after two weeks of figuring out a new plan of attack, I had a eureka moment! I created a new template specifically for scope & sequence plans, and to be totally honest I kinda love it. It took a few days, I can’t lie, but I planned units for my pre-algebra classes, algebra 1 classes, and my ELA 9/10/11/12 classes. Can you see why I panicked at first now?


I’m well aware there are going to be a lot of bumps in the road during these unit plans, so let me show you how I’m going about this.

Photo A. is my Algebra 1 unit plan. My unit has 12 lessons, but I have created unit plans to go up until 20 lessons. I will just leave Lesson 13 – 15 blank. Directly beneath my lesson I listed the objective/target, how many days I plan on it teaching it (with a small box of how many extra days I needed to add on the right), materials I will need below, and then any notes. I want to make my unit plans done right the first time, so I can use them year after year. I also want to make little notes on them, incase I need to tweak them year after year.

Photo B. shows the daily lesson sheet I plan on using with each units plans.  I tweaked these from the daily lesson plan template I talked about above. I’ve already added the class, unit, and student roster, and have printed a ton.

Photo C. is my favorite highlighting part. I included the school year on the unit plans, since I plan on using these year after year. SO, in 2020 if I need to see what I adapted in 2018 – I can. I will also write in the lesson, and highlight the month/how many days I plan on teaching the lesson.

Photo D. shows an optional 2 lesson unit page that I have also included.

Just like my weekly and daily plans, these scope and sequence template plans come with an entirely blank option as well.  You will be able to insert text boxes on PowerPoint to insert any information that best fits your planning needs.

AND THAT’S IT! haha

I hope showing you all how I have planned over the years, and currently this school year, will help you while lesson planning in your special education classroom! I know I threw a lot at you, but I hope you find – like I have – how stress free our planning can really be!

I have linked my TPT shop below, so you can find my Special Education Lesson Plan Templates and my Special Education Scope & Sequence Templates, and a bundle included both below. Just click the photos. Happy Planning!