Want to learn how to set up templates on Planbook to maximize effectiveness in your classroom? Looking for a detailed how-to guide on how to use Planbook in your classroom? I’ve got you! I love to use technology in my classroom, but I know that it can be hard to learn something new. So come along on this journey, while I show you step by step directions on how to use Planbook in your special education or general education classroom! Whether you are a new teacher looking for tips, or a veteran teacher who wants to try something new – I’ve tested the strategies and found the shortcuts so you know how to easily use Planbook . Let’s go!

(Remember, that I try to keep my content up to date, but Planbook is always changing. If you see something here that doesn’t quite match up with what you’re seeing on the website, please let me know so I can get it updated.)

Planbook.com Templates

Planbook.com has so many great features. And setting up templates is a must do!

Templates on Planbook are such an underutilized feature. So many teachers don’t know what they are, or how to use them. If you have the same format that you teach every day (think things like, introduction, guided work, small groups, independent) you can easily get Planbook to insert that format into every plan so you don’t have to copy and paste or retype all of the time.

Now, I’m a special education teacher. Inclusion to be exact. And sometimes, I push in to provide services and sometimes I pull students out.

But, regardless of what model of co-teaching and services I’m providing, at the end of the day, it always comes back to the goals. Everything I do is linked to goals, and I’m always looking for ways to collect data on IEP goals. And, even if you’re a general education teacher you should know the goals your students are working on.

Let me show you how I get my student’s IEP goals to automatically display with my classes, so I always know what they are working on!

Ideas for How to Use Templates on Planbook

• Do you have a class that does literally the same thing every day? Like, maybe your homeroom. Every day the students come in the same way, put away their materials the same way, and you take attendance, check folders, etc the same way. You might like to have that there for admin or subs to see what you do. You can type it once, and Planbook will automatically put it in every homeroom block.
• Type your district’s required lesson plan format. Then, as you plan your lessons just plug in the missing information!
• Use it for IEP goals or accommodations. What if you have it set up so that every class period has a list of which student’s get a reader, or which students require a calculator.
• Have a template with your co-workers schedules. Automatically have it show when a speech therapy teacher is coming to pull students, or when you and your partner are team teaching.

How to Set Up Templates on Planbook.com

Setting up templates on Planbook can feel overwhelming at first. But, after a little practice you’ll be setting up templates for all. the. things.

First, I recommend thinking of just one thing you want a template for. Once you get comfortable, then go back and try to add more templates!

Video on How to Set Up Templates on Planbook.com

I know, it’s way easier to watch a video on how to set up templates on planbook.com than it is to read the directions. So, if watching videos is your jam – hit that video above!

FAQ’s about Templates on Planbook.com

• How do I change the tabs that display?
  • Go to your ‘display’ settings (under the ‘go to’ menu). Click the box for whichever tabs you want to display.
• How many templates can I have?
  • I honestly have never hit the limit – so if there is one, it’s more than bajillion. Seriously, I have at minimum four templates for each student for each goal area for each year. So, with a caseload of 20 students, and each with about 5 goal areas that’s over 100 templates just this school year alone.
• Do I have to use a student name in the template?
  • Nope! That’s just how I keep my goals organized. I use templates for keeping track of goals, so all of my templates are labeled as school year, quarter, student initials, and area. So a template might be titled something like 23.3.JD.Phonics (2023 school year, third quarter, John Doe, phonics)

Templates on Planbook.com – Next Steps:

Now it’s your turn! Have you done the following?

• Decided what you wanted to use a template for
• Switch your display settings
• Added your templates
• Connected them to the correct class

Ready for more Planbook.com How To Guides?

So you’ve learned how to set up templates on Planbook. Click here for more tutorials!