4 Practical Tools to Streamline Lesson Planning

The more organised I am the more I feel like I’m winning at life! I love setting up systems that make planning and staying organised as easy as possible. Here are my favourite tools to streamline lesson planning:

1. Lesson Planning Template

Planning lessons became infinitely easier when I started using a customisable lesson planning template. It took a bit of trial and error to have it set up exactly right, but the benefits are huge! Before each lesson I’ll write down some activities and the current pieces we’re working on, and after the lesson I’ll tick off what we actually got through and make any additions.

I can see at a glance what we covered which makes it easy to plan for the following lesson. And it’s simple to look back over previous lessons when I’m trying to remember if I’ve already tried a particular game or activity with each student.

BONUS: If you’d like to get your hands on this template and simplify lesson planning then head on over to the Music Teacher Resource Library and sign up.

2. Resource List

Creating a master list of resources may take some effort to set up, but will save so much time each week! Using a Resource List saves me from getting into a rut with the activities I’m using and is great for reminding me about resources I’ve forgotten about. I have a database in Notion, with a variety of different views:

• A Master List of all resources
• A list of Group resources
• A list of resources grouped by Technique
• A Wishlist of resources I want to buy

I love using Notion databases as I can include so much information about each resource (type, topic, learning style, level, images), but also include a simple view and use filters to easily find a resource to fit my students’ needs.

3. Method Book Framework

Although this is still a work in progress, my aim is to have a printed copy of the main method books I use with a list of relevant theory topics, activities, games, and resources relevant to each piece. I’ll also include supplementary pieces to cover important concepts and techniques that may be missing from the method books, or that I’d like to expand upon.

Having this framework in place will provide some flexibility while ensuring that all of the material I want to be covered is included.

4. Student Folders

I got this idea from organising genius/piano teacher Tracy Selle and made a few changes so that it works best for me. I’ve set up one folder for each student (a coloured manilla folder with file fasteners and clear page protectors) and each folder includes:

• Pocket on the inside cover to keep the weekly lesson plan
• Pocket for handouts/lesson resources which I can then give to the student at our next lesson
• Student interview (I downloaded this free template)
• Pocket for holding previous lesson plans
• Pocket for keeping copies of theory tests or other relevant papers
• Page for writing general notes

I have the folders ordered by day and lesson order, and love having all the information I need at my fingertips.

Remember to check out the Music Teacher Resource Library for more organising and planning tools for your music studio.