The Not So Dreaded Lesson Plans

So, with the common core being implemented for us next year, I've started revamping my lesson plans to incorporate these changes.  I really don't think there's going to be too much to be changed, but it's definitely something I want to knock out this summer!  So far, my biggest accomplishment is creating a cover for my new lesson plan binder...hey, it's a start!

I know lesson plans are so personalized to teachers and one way doesn't work for all, but I just thought I'd share what I've found works best for me!  I used to write weekly plans on a two-page spread that showed all of the subjects and their plans for the week.  This worked great for me for years, but then when I moved to my current school our district was moving to the Focused Learning Format for lesson planning (activating strategies, teaching strategies, summarizing strategies).  My principal sent out a lesson plan template for us to use and, well, I freaked out!  It was NOT in a nice two-page spread so that I could see everything at a glance. *Insert panic, temper tantrum, fit-throwing here* {Pull yourself together, Amanda}  Fast-forward to now and these lesson plans are my saving grace!!
The format just didn't lend itself to weekly planning, but instead to planning an entire unit at a time.  Fine.  I could do that.  I sat down with my state standards and got to work developing unit plans.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the unit plans!  Planning in this way helped me see the big picture; you know what they say..."Begin with the end in mind." I was able to actually see the end of the unit from the beginning which helped me to stay focused and even plan for learning celebrations at the end of each unit.  Now, my lesson plans for the year (and year to year) are complete - at least the meat of them.  All I have to do is tweak them to continue making them better with new ideas or to meet my students' needs of that year.
Here's a glimpse of what is in my binder.
First, I must have my standards in one easy to read format with each subject on a single-page.  Click the image below for the PDF that includes the following five pages: Reading Common Core, Writing/Language Common Core, Math Common Core, SC Social Studies, SC Science standards.

This stays in the front of my binder so that I can highlight standards as they're taught and make notes about reteaching, if needed.  Next, I keep a copy of my Long Range Plans.  These aren't completed for the upcoming school year since I have to tweak my units and the length of each might change, but you can see last year's below.

I also create a yearly calendar to go in the front of the binder that serves as a workable long range plan that I can write daily events on (sorry, the picture below cam out portrait instead of landscape, but you can click it for the PDF).

The rest of the binder is dedicated to my lesson plans.  I place tabs in the binder with the subject titles and times on them.  Then, I just have to flip to that subject to see that day's lesson!  How do you manage your lesson plans?  What about your files?  Do you plan weekly or use unit planning?  Share your best lesson plan tips with us!  I'll leave you with some pics of my binder "in action."