Lesson Planning That Works: Designing Rigorous, Standards-Aligned Instruction
A structured, self-paced professional learning experience designed to help educators create intentional, engaging, and standards-aligned lessons while saving time and improving instructional impact.
- 6 courses, 6 hours, self-paced
- Taught by Lauren Boucher
- Certificate included, up to 6 CE credits
- Access courses on any device
- 1,000+ more courses included
Great Teaching Starts with Great Planning
Effective lesson planning is about more than filling out a template. It involves designing learning experiences that align with standards, engage students, maximize instructional time, and lead to meaningful outcomes. Yet many educators face the challenge of balancing high-quality instruction with limited planning time.
This pathway provides educators with practical frameworks, organizational systems, and time-saving strategies that make lesson planning more efficient and impactful. From backwards design and standards alignment to AI-enhanced planning tools, participants will learn how to create lessons that are purposeful, rigorous, and student-centered.
Courses in this pathway
-
1
The Framework of Success: Backwards Design Made Easy
Master backwards design for intentional lesson planning. Start with learning goals and work backward to create focused, impactful instruction.
-
2
Make Every Moment Matter: Strategies for Bell-to-Bell Instruction
Maximize instructional time with bell-to-bell strategies. Streamline transitions and keep students engaged from the first bell to the last.
-
3
The Organized Teacher: Building Digital Item Banks and Resource Repositories
Simplify planning with digital item banks and resource repositories. Build a library of ready-to-use materials that's always accessible.
-
4
Rigorous by Design: Unpacking Standards and Beyond
Design rigorous, engaging instruction by unpacking standards. Use the rigor and relevance matrix to challenge students and deepen critical thinking.
-
5
Teach to Each: Designing Tailored Learning Experiences
Design personalized learning experiences for every student. Explore frameworks, templates, and AI tools to create meaningful, tailored instruction.
-
6
AI at Your Service: Smarter Lesson Planning Made Simple
Streamline lesson planning with AI-powered tools. Save time while aligning lessons to standards and boosting rigor and engagement.
Lauren Boucher
Lauren Boucher has 18+ years in public education, teaching 3rd grade, gifted K-8, and working as a Digital Teaching and Learning Coach. Now a Southeast Regional Consultant for the NC Department of Public Instruction, she shares innovative ed tech practices nationwide.
Specializes In: Artificial Intelligence
“SimpleK12 makes professional learning actually work with my schedule. I can log in anytime, choose a topic that’s relevant to my classroom, and walk away with strategies I can use the next day.”
"These courses contained very easy to use ideas to implement AI into my classroom."
“Since adopting SimpleK12, we’ve seen an increase in professional development participation. Teachers are more engaged because the content is practical, flexible, and relevant.”
Built for District Success
Districts are continually seeking ways to improve instructional consistency, increase rigor, and support teacher effectiveness. This pathway provides educators with a shared framework for lesson planning that supports high-quality instruction while reducing planning inefficiencies.
Talk to an expertPlan with Purpose. Teach with Confidence. Improve Student Outcomes.
Effective lessons don't happen by accident. They are intentionally designed to engage learners, meet standards, and create meaningful learning experiences. This pathway provides the tools, frameworks, and strategies educators need to take lesson planning to the next level.
Get started free