Lesson planning is the backbone of effective teaching, but let’s face it—it can often feel overwhelming. As I step into the world of substitute teaching, I’ve come to realize how valuable time-saving and efficient tools are for creating lessons that truly resonate with students. Luckily, with today’s technology, teachers have access to a wide range of online resources that can simplify the process and elevate the quality of their plans.
I wanted to share two tools that I’ve learned about and become familiar with during my journey. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting, these tools can make a significant difference in how you approach lesson planning.
1. Planboard by Chalk
Planboard is a game-changer when it comes to organizing and structuring lessons. Designed specifically for educators, it helps streamline the planning process and ensures your lessons are well-organized and aligned with learning goals.
Key Features:
- Easy Organization: Create, organize, and share lesson plans by day, week, or month.
- Customizable Schedules: Adapt your planning to fit various class structures and timeframes.
- Resource Integration: Attach documents, videos, or links directly to your plans for seamless access during lessons.
- Curriculum Alignment: Track standards to ensure your lessons meet educational objectives.
Why I Love It:
Planboard’s intuitive interface makes it simple to use, even for someone like me who’s relatively new to teaching. It saves time and helps keep everything in one place, so you’re not scrambling for materials or trying to remember what comes next in your lesson.
🎥 Check out a quick tutorial on Planboard here:
2. Canva for Education
If you’ve ever wished you could create eye-catching materials without spending hours on design, Canva for Education is the answer. This free platform empowers teachers to produce professional-quality materials quickly and easily.
What You Can Create:
- Worksheets: Tailored to specific lessons and student needs.
- Presentations: Add animations and vibrant graphics to keep your students engaged.
- Infographics: Simplify complex topics with visually appealing designs.
- Classroom Posters: Reinforce key concepts and add personality to your teaching space.
Why I Love It:
Canva’s drag-and-drop interface is incredibly user-friendly. Even with minimal design experience, you can create materials that look polished and professional. Plus, their education-specific templates are a huge time-saver.
Why These Tools Work So Well Together
Combining Planboard and Canva for Education covers every aspect of lesson planning:
- Planboard helps you organize your overall strategy and align lessons with curriculum standards.
- Canva adds a creative flair to your teaching materials, making lessons more engaging and interactive for students.
Final Thoughts
Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions, but it’s also incredibly demanding. Every second counts, and tools like Planboard and Canva for Education can make a world of difference. By integrating these tools into your planning routine, you can save time, reduce stress, and focus on what truly matters—your students.
If you haven’t tried these tools yet, I encourage you to give them a shot. I’ve personally experienced how transformative they can be, even as a substitute teacher just starting out. I hope they bring as much value to your teaching journey as they have to mine!
What are your thoughts about the Top 3 Online Tools to Simplify Lesson Planning for Teachers. Please share in the comments below. I really would love to know.
Until next time, shine amongst the stars!
‘This post may contain affiliate links


If you haven’t made enough money blogging, look into taking the
Complete Guide to Make Money Blogging for only
($10… WOW 95% Off for a limited time).



📚 Teachers, save time and elevate your lessons with these 3 top online tools! 🖥️ Planboard, Canva for Education, and Edmodo make planning seamless and effective. Learn more 👉 #TeacherTips #EdTech #LessonPlanning


This is awesome! My wife is a teacher, and I see how much time she spends planning lessons. I’ll definitely share this with her—anything to help lighten the load. Appreciate you putting this together!
Wow, this is such a lifesaver! As a mom who sometimes helps with lesson planning at home, these tools sound like a game-changer. Anything that makes teaching easier and more engaging for kids is a win in my book. Thanks for sharing these great resources!
Even though I’m not a teacher, I can totally relate to needing tools that simplify organization. Canva is a go-to for me in the workplace, and I can see how useful Planboard would be for keeping track of projects.