A Simple Teacher Prep Period Schedule for a Calmer Week

My week as a teacher can get chaotic fast, and having a consistent teacher prep period schedule has become one of the best ways I stay grounded. For a long time, I didn’t have much of a system—it felt like I was doing everything and nothing at once. After a few years in the classroom, I realized I needed a clear, repeatable planning routine that wouldn’t add to my stress.

After a few years in the classroom, I realized I needed a clear, repeatable teacher planning routine that wouldn’t add to my stress.

So I created a simple teacher prep period schedule that helps me stay organized, reduce last-minute scrambling, and reset before the weekend hits. If you’ve been winging it or just surviving through Friday, keep reading—I’m sharing exactly how I structure each day of prep time to keep everything (mostly) on track.

📌 Note: This planning is always for the upcoming week—not the one I’m currently teaching.

Keep reading for my weekly teacher prep period schedule!

🗓️ Monday: Map It Out

Mondays are all about vision. I use this time to start lesson planning for the next week—not from scratch, but by internalizing the lessons in my scripted curriculum.

Knowing where I’m headed helps me be more intentional in the current week. I can catch gaps earlier, scaffold where needed, and tweak lessons to better meet my students’ needs.

🛠️ Tuesday: Prep + Polish

Tuesday is for tightening everything up. I finalize lesson plans, build or tweak slides, print materials, and prep any additional resources I want to bring in.

This day is my secret to avoiding that Thursday night panic. It gives me breathing room and keeps my weekends free from the copier.

🧠 Wednesday: Small Group Strategy

This day is dedicated to small group planning—one of the most impactful parts of my instruction. I choose focus skills and plan what each group will do during their 15-minute block. I also make sure my whole class routines are tight enough to run smoothly while I’m working with groups.

If you’re looking to make your prep period more productive, start here. Plan your targeted instruction first—it makes everything else run smoother.

🧹 Thursday: Catch-Up Cushion

Let’s be real—teacher life is unpredictable. Thursday is my built-in buffer. Basically, I use it to catch up on anything I didn’t get to. Sometimes I use it to breathe when a meeting eats up my prep.

Sometimes I spend this time venting with my team, reorganizing my small group bins, or reworking a lesson that didn’t go as planned. It’s flexible on purpose.

Because honestly, flexibility isn’t just a planning strategy—it’s a form of protection. Even the Mayo Clinic recognizes that setting realistic expectations and boundaries at work can be a key step in preventing burnout.

✨ Friday: Reset & Reflect

Friday is my favorite prep day. It’s all about closing the week with intention. I do a reset of my space, check over my data, and make sure Monday Me has a clean slate.

Here’s what’s on my end-of-week teacher checklist:

Enter grades
Review exit tickets or small group notes
Clean off my desk and workspace
Refill supplies (hello, pencils and tissues)
Reflect on the week: what worked, what needs adjusting

📋 Want a printable version of this checklist you can use week after week?

👉 Grab the Friday Reset Checklist here!

💡Pro tip: Laminate it and keep it in your top drawer so you can reuse it every week without reprinting!

💭 To Sum It Up…

You don’t need a rigid routine—but having a consistent weekly teacher planning schedule can be the difference between burnout and balance.

This system gives me clarity, cuts down on decision fatigue, and protects my time. It helps me show up better for my students and myself.

If you’re craving more structure with less stress, start with one day and build from there. And if you’re already using the checklist, let me know how it’s going—I’d love to hear how you make it your own 💛