Lesson planning shouldn’t eat your Sunday night. Yet many of us still juggle sticky notes, half-filled notebooks, and three different district forms just to outline one day’s instruction. If you’ve ever wished you could start with a ready-made canvas instead of a blank page, you’re in the right place.
Below you’ll find 20 completely free lesson-planning templates—Google Docs, Word, PDFs, interactive tools, and more—that let you plug in objectives, activities, and assessments in minutes. Each option keeps the five essentials of an effective lesson front and center while leaving room for differentiation, the 4 C’s, and your unique teaching style. Skim the snapshots, grab the download link, and get back to what matters most: working with students. We’ll also sprinkle in time-saving tips so you can customize once and reuse all year. Ready to upgrade your planning routine? Let’s pick your first template.
1. The Cautiously Optimistic Teacher’s UDL Lesson Plan Template
Built by the same team that hosts our AI Differentiated Instruction Helper, this one-page template turns Universal Design for Learning theory into a clean, color-coded workflow. It’s the fastest way to make sure every learner sees themselves in your plan without juggling multiple lesson planning templates.
What the template looks like
A Google Doc table divided into the three UDL pillars—Engagement, Representation, and Action & Expression—runs across the top. Rows beneath are shaded in pastel hues for Objectives, Anticipatory Set, Differentiation, Formative/Summative Assessments, and Student Reflection.
Ideal use cases
Perfect for inclusive classrooms, special-ed pull-outs, ESL sections, or any middle- and high-school teacher who differentiates daily. Duplicate pages to map multi-day units.
Customization & download options
Click “Make a copy” to edit in Google Docs, or export as Word/PDF for offline use. The table layout is fully editable; adjust or add rows as needed.
Tips to maximize value
Pre-fill recurring standards and accommodations, then pair the template with our free Differentiated Instruction Helper to auto-generate supports—saving brainpower for tomorrow’s lesson.
2. Canva’s Customizable Lesson Plan Templates
Canva turns lesson planning templates into eye candy. The free version alone supplies a gallery of drag-and-drop designs you can tweak in minutes—no design degree required.
Snapshot of what’s inside
- Daily, weekly, and thematic layouts with matching icons and palettes
- Built-in fields for objectives, activities, assessments, and notes
- Supports links, images, and embedded videos for one-stop planning
Best for
- Visual or elementary teachers who want print-ready plans
- Sharing colorful PDFs with admins or parents
How to use
- Log in → search “lesson plan.”
- Pick a template, edit text and media.
- Download or share as PDF/PNG; link the file in Google Classroom so students see objectives upfront.
Classroom pro tip
Duplicate the finished page, swap accent colors for each unit, and you’ve built a cohesive series in seconds.
3. Microsoft Create Lesson Plan Templates (Word & PowerPoint)
If your campus lives inside Microsoft 365, Create’s built-in lesson planning templates let you spin up polished documents—or even an interactive slide deck—without ever leaving Word or PowerPoint.
Snapshot
- Library of printable daily outlines, pacing calendars, and slide decks
- Headers for Objectives, Materials, Step-by-Step Procedures, Checks for Understanding, and Reflection
Best for
- Teachers already using Microsoft 365, Teams, or SharePoint
- Districts that mandate Word-based documentation for evaluations
Customization steps
- Click “Customize” on the template preview.
- Edit directly in the browser; changes auto-save to OneDrive.
- Export as PDF, print hard copies, or share the link in Teams.
Pro tip
Turn the finished Word plan into a Teams Assignment so students see objectives, materials, and due dates the moment class starts.
4. Google Docs Lesson Plan Template Gallery
Hidden in plain sight, Google’s education template gallery offers a no-frills lesson plan that syncs across every device and updates in real time as you type. Because it lives in Google Drive, co-teachers, paras, and even admin can leave comments without the dreaded email back-and-forth.
Snapshot
- One-page doc with headings: Standard, Essential Question, Activities, Assessment, Differentiation, Reflection
- Generous white space for quick typing or copy-pasting from pacing guides
- Uses default Google Fonts for instant readability
- Version history tracks edits, so you can roll back if someone “helps” a little too much
Best for
- Rapid drafting during PLC meetings or prep periods
- Schools already running Google Classroom and Shared Drives
How to access & adapt
- Drive → Template gallery → Education → “Basic Lesson Plan.”
- Click Use Template to create your own copy.
- Add comments, hyperlink slides or Jamboard files, then share view-only with students or subs.
Teaching hack
Turn the header row into a permanent table; new rows auto-expand, so multi-day plans stay in a single, scroll-friendly document.
5. Teacher Planet Daily & Weekly Lesson Plan Templates
Need a plain-vanilla form you can print in seconds or tweak for every prep? Teacher Planet hosts an archive of over 500 black-and-white lesson planning templates—sorted by grade, subject, and even Common Core strand—so you never start from scratch.
Snapshot
- Daily, weekly, monthly, and emergency sub-plan layouts in PDF or DOCX
- Checkboxes for standards, materials, procedures, assessment, and reflection
Best for
- Binder lovers who archive hard copies
- Teachers juggling multiple preps who want different looks for each class
Download directions
- No account required—click the thumbnail, then choose PDF for print or DOCX to edit
- Open in Word or Google Docs, adjust headings, and save to your drive
Pro tip
Keep a blank “Sub Plan” template pre-filled with class routines and seating charts; you’ll thank yourself on sick days.
6. Adobe Express Online Lesson Plan Creator
Adobe Express moves your plan from plain text to polished handout in minutes with free browser-based lesson planning templates you can tweak like slides.
Snapshot
- Timeline and checklist layouts drag-and-drop ready
- Royalty-free photos, icons, and fonts included
- Export as shareable web page or print-ready PDF
Best for
- Project-based units or visual subjects
- Embedding screenshots or GIFs of student work
How to use
- Create free account → Templates → search “lesson plan.”
- Select design, edit text, drag images/videos.
- Download PDF or copy share link.
Pro tip
Duplicate a page to keep branding consistent all term.
7. Teachers Pay Teachers Free Lesson Plan Template by Brenda Kovich
Need a slide-based planner you can project, print, or share with a sub? Brenda Kovich’s no-cost download on Teachers Pay Teachers bundles multiple layouts into one tidy PowerPoint, so you can keep everything in a single deck.
Snapshot
- 3-format PPT: Daily, Weekly, and Block Schedule
- Pre-filled sample slide shows column headers, time blocks, and soft color coding
Best for
Elementary educators juggling center rotations or block scheduling—and anyone who likes planning directly inside presentation software.
Download & customize
Create a free TpT account → add to cart ($0) → download the ZIP → open the PPTX. Edit the Slide Master once to change fonts or palette across every slide.
Pro tip
Import the deck to Google Slides for real-time collaboration and quick sharing with substitutes.
8. UCSB Office of Teaching & Learning Basic Lesson Plan
If you’d rather lean on research than clip art, UCSB’s evidence-based template is a workhorse. It walks you through each phase of instruction while quietly nudging you to check alignment with learning science staples like Bloom’s Taxonomy and formative assessment loops.
Snapshot
- Left-hand column for Learning Objectives mapped to Bloom’s levels
- Adjacent rows for Active Learning Strategies, Formative Checks, and required Materials
- Clean grayscale design that prints crisply on any copier
Best for
Higher-ed instructors, AP or IB teachers, and anyone presenting at a PD workshop who needs planning credibility baked in.
Access & use
Make a copy of the Google Doc or grab the Word file from the UCSB page, swap their logo for your school’s, and start typing.
Teaching tip
Add a “Parking Lot” row at the bottom so student questions don’t derail pacing but still get honored.
9. New York State Common Core Lesson Plan Template
Need an admin-friendly plan? This NYS Common Core template spotlights standards so evaluators see alignment instantly.
Snapshot
- Slots for Standards, Learning Targets, Key Vocabulary, Materials, Checks for Mastery, and Closure
- Right-margin box for reflections and next steps
Best for
- Common Core teachers needing airtight documentation
- edTPA or Danielson portfolio builders
Download steps
- Download PDF or Word from NYSED
- Enable editing, save to drive
- Adjust header fonts and logo
Pro tip
Run Find-Replace to swap NYS codes with your own state standards instantly.
10. Scholastic Printable Lesson Plan Template
If you’re a print-loving elementary teacher, Scholastic’s free weekly planner delivers a familiar, kid-friendly vibe with bold headers and icons. The roomy two-page spread gives each subject its own block—perfect for center rotations, read-alouds, and guided-reading notes.
Snapshot
- Bold fonts and icons organize Monday–Friday blocks.
- Two-page spread leaves room for materials and notes.
Best for
- K-5 classrooms juggling math, reading, science, and specials every day.
- Binders shown to admins or parents at conferences.
Usage
- Download as Word or PDF, then type or print.
- Fits right into a three-ring binder sleeve.
Pro tip
- Laminate the overview and write with dry-erase to reuse weekly.
11. Education.com Weekly Lesson Planner
If you want a simple Monday-through-Friday grid you can tweak in under five minutes, Education.com’s planner hits the sweet spot. The landscape layout mirrors a traditional teacher desk calendar but prints cleaner and scales nicely on tablets.
Snapshot
- Horizontal grid with days across the top and time blocks down the side
- Optional notes column for standards, materials, or reminders
- Pastel shading keeps subjects visually separated without guzzling printer ink
Best for
- Self-contained elementary or homeschool classrooms handling multiple subjects daily
- Teachers coordinating special schedules like pull-outs or specials
Access
- Create a free Education.com account → open the Planner tool → enter subjects and times → export as PDF or save online for edits later
Tip
Print in landscape, laminate, and color-code subjects with wet-erase markers for a reusable at-a-glance desk mat.
12. Common Sense Education Digital Citizenship Lesson Plan Template
Teaching online safety and media literacy doesn’t have to mean reinventing your planning wheel. Common Sense Education offers a free, ready-to-edit template that bakes digital citizenship, ISTE standards, and the 4 C’s into one tidy Google Doc.
Snapshot
- Clearly labeled sections for Essential Question, Digital Tools, Safety Considerations, 4 C’s Integration, Assessment, Reflection
- Pre-linked to Common Sense rubrics and vocabulary lists
- Minimalist black-and-white design—printer-friendly yet easy to dress up with icons or GIFs
Best for
Media literacy units, computer science classes, library lessons, or any activity that sends students onto the open internet.
How to use
- Click “Make a copy” in Google Docs.
- Adjust grade level, timing, and tool list.
- Share view-only link with students or collaborators for transparency.
Tip
Hyperlink every digital tool (Padlet, Flip, Canva) in the Digital Tools column so students access resources with one click.
13. Teachnology Blank Lesson Plan Templates
Need something you can grab and go? Teachnology hosts a trove of no-nonsense lesson planning templates that won’t choke your printer or your bandwidth.
Snapshot
- 30+ black-and-white formats: five-day grid, block schedule, subject-specific sheets
- Ink-friendly borders; zero clip art
- Space for Objectives, Materials, Procedures, and Assessment
Best for
- Teachers who prefer clutter-free pages and quick photocopies
- Campuses with tight copier budgets or strict page limits
Download
Click the thumbnail → instant PDF download; some designs also offer Word. No account, pop-ups, or email capture—just files.
Tip
Choose the “Block 5-Day” layout if you teach hybrid A/B schedules; it keeps alternating days on one sheet.
14. LessonPlan.com Free Basic Template
Some days you just want a no-frills form that prompts the right questions and prints without fuss. LessonPlan.com’s free web generator fits the bill—no sign-up, no ads, just a guided fill-in page that turns your notes into a tidy PDF.
Snapshot
- Web form with fields for Objectives, Activities, Standards, and Assessment
- Auto-formats everything onto a single portrait page
- Works smoothly on phones, tablets, or laptops
Best for
- New teachers who like step-by-step prompts
- Emergency sub plans drafted on a lunch break
Using it
- Open LessonPlan.com → select “Basic Template.”
- Type into the on-screen fields.
- Click “Generate PDF,” then download or print.
Tip
Copy-paste standard descriptors into the Standards box to save retyping time and ensure exact wording.
15. Edutopia Project-Based Learning Lesson Plan Template
Looking to keep inquiry at the center of your planning? Edutopia’s free PBL lesson plan template scaffolds a full project from the driving question to the final reflection, so you can focus on coaching rather than paperwork. The two-page file walks you through each milestone and prompts you to align tasks with assessment rubrics—ideal when you need airtight documentation for admin or grant reviewers.
Snapshot
- Fields for Driving Question, Entry Event, Milestones, Voice & Choice, 21st-Century Skills
- Page two houses a ready-to-edit rubric column
- Clean grayscale that prints well or converts to Google Docs
Best for
- STEM challenges, cross-curricular projects, service-learning units
- Teachers writing grant proposals that require detailed timelines
Access
Download PDF or Word directly from Edutopia’s site—no sign-up. Open, type, and save to your drive.
Tip
Add a third page with a simple Gantt chart to visualize milestone due dates and keep teams on track.
16. Google Sheets Weekly Lesson Planner by Alice Keeler
Love spreadsheets? Alice Keeler’s Google Sheets planner auto-updates dates, color-codes subjects, and works on any device, giving you a living document that never needs reformatting.
Snapshot
- Auto-dates each Monday and fills the rest of the week
- Drop-down menus for subjects
- Conditional color coding highlights prep types
- Comment column for quick reflections
Best for
- Data-minded educators who think in cells and formulas
- Coaches supervising multiple classrooms across a campus
How to use
- Click “Make a copy,” enter the first Monday, and watch formulas populate dates
- Choose subjects from drop-downs or add your own
- Share a view-only link with admin or subs
Tip
- Freeze row 1 and the day columns so headers stay put during marathon meetings
17. ClassFlow Interactive Lesson Plan Template
Tired of static PDFs? ClassFlow’s free template builds the engagement pieces right into the plan, so the same file that guides your teaching also runs your formative assessments.
Snapshot
- Columns for Learning Objectives, Resources, Activities, and Assessment
- Drag-and-drop panels to attach polls, quizzes, slide decks, or web links
- Live student-response data appears next to each activity
Best for
Teachers using Promethean panels, hybrid classes needing instant feedback, or anyone who wants planning and delivery in one place.
Access
Create a free ClassFlow account → Templates → “Lesson Plan” → duplicate. Add marketplace resources or upload your own files, then save to the cloud.
Tip
Pre-embed auto-graded questions; when you deliver the lesson, ClassFlow records scores automatically and exports them to CSV for your gradebook.
18. Vanderbilt Center for Teaching Backward Design Template
When you want to start with the end in mind, Vanderbilt’s Center for Teaching offers a backward-design template that practically walks you through Wiggins & McTighe’s UbD cycle.
Snapshot
- Three clearly labeled stages: Desired Results, Assessment Evidence, Learning Plan.
- Prompts ensure objectives and assessments align before you draft activities.
Best for
- Multi-week unit planning and curriculum mapping sessions with teams.
- Teachers exploring Understanding by Design in grad courses or PD.
Download
- Grab the free PDF or Word file under a Creative Commons license.
- Headings and tables are fully editable—brand it for your department.
Tip
- Turn Stage 2 into a rubric skeleton to speed grading later.
19. TES Resources Free Lesson Plan Template
Need to satisfy a British-style observation without reinventing the wheel? TES’s downloadable Word doc follows the familiar UK format while remaining totally editable for any curriculum.
Snapshot
- Headings for Learning Outcomes, Key Questions, Differentiation, Resources, and Plenary
- Right-hand column with OFSTED prompt boxes for evidence and impact
- Clean, two-tone design that prints well in grayscale
Best for
- International or IB teachers who reference UK standards
- Educators in British-curriculum schools needing an OFSTED-friendly layout
Access
Create a free TES account → click Download → open the Word file. Import to Google Docs; adjust fonts or tables as needed.
Tip
If your admin prefers US jargon, simply rename the Plenary heading to Closure before hitting print.
20. Homeschool Creations Editable Lesson Plan Template
Homeschool Creations’ cheery planner puts multiple kids, subjects, and supply lists on one printable, editable sheet, color-coded for quick scanning.
Snapshot
- Weekly grid: seven subjects × Mon–Fri
- Separate reading log plus supply checklist
- Kid-friendly colors print cleanly in grayscale
Best for
Homeschool parents, tutors, or pod teachers balancing mixed grades but needing a single-glance planning hub.
How to use
- Download the free Word file—blank and pre-labeled.
- Type in the table or print to handwrite.
- Duplicate pages for each child or subject.
Tip
Add the reading-log page to notebooks for effortless accountability.
Plan Smarter, Teach Better
Twenty zero-cost lesson planning templates now sit at your fingertips—sleek Google Docs, printable PDFs, jazzy Canva layouts, data-driven spreadsheets, and everything in between. Pick one that matches your workflow, copy it to your drive, and spend the time you just saved on feedback, conferencing, or simply sipping coffee before the bell.
A quick recipe for success:
- Choose one template to pilot this week.
- Pre-load recurring standards, bell-ringers, and accommodations so they autofill.
- Store the file in a shared folder labeled by unit or quarter; future you will cheer.
When you’re ready to level up, explore the free AI tools and additional planning resources waiting at The Cautiously Optimistic Teacher. Smarter templates paired with smart tech mean fewer late-night planning marathons and more energy for the thing that matters most—teaching. Go on, reclaim your Sunday evening.