How to Plan a Year of Middle School Science Lessons Without the Overwhelm

The Best Science Teacher Planner for NGSS-Aligned Lesson Planning

Struggling with science lesson planning? You’re not alone. Instead of enjoying your last few weeks of summer, you’re knee-deep in lesson ideas, lab prep, and scattered notes. The overwhelm is real. 

Most of us were never taught how to plan a full year of science. Maybe you were handed a textbook (if you were lucky) and expected to figure it out. But friend, you deserve better than just “figuring it out.” That’s why the Science-in-a-Snap Teacher Planner is here—to help you: 

• Map out your entire year in advance

• Plan engaging lessons using the 5E Model

• Stay on top of lab materials and classroom events

• Reclaim your evenings and weekends—so you can actually live your life!

Bonus: Pair this planner with the FREE Ultimate Guide of Online Resources for Teaching Science, and you’ll have everything you need for your best teaching year yet!

Why Science Teachers Struggle with Science Lesson Planning (And How to Fix It)

When I first started teaching, my lesson planning looked something like this:

Stare at my textbook.  Google “fun science activities” for way too long.  Run out of time and slap something together at the last minute.

Sound familiar? The problem isn’t you—it’s the lack of a structured middle school science planner. Without one, you end up: 

• Wasting time searching instead of actually preparing

• Feeling overwhelmed by pacing and standards

• Scrambling at the last minute to make lessons engaging

But here’s the good news: there’s a better way! The Science-in-a-Snap Teacher Planner gives you a step-by-step system to plan with confidence and ease.

7 Steps to Planning 180 Days of Science (Without Losing Your Mind!)

Step 1: Mark Key School Events & Holidays

Before diving into lesson planning, take a big-picture look at your school calendar and identify the following:

• holidays

• testing dates

• early releases

• PD days

• benchmark exams and grading periods

Once you have noted these dates, plan around them for those days when labs or projects might be tricky. This step helps you avoid surprises that throw off your pacing!

Step 2: Map Out Your Year with NGSS Science Lesson Plans

Now, let’s outline your year by breaking it into quarters and aligning it with NGSS science lesson plans:

• Quarter 1: Scientific Method + Physical Science (MS-PS1-1)

• Quarter 2: Earth Science (MS-ESS1, MS-ESS2)

• Quarter 3: Life Science (MS-LS1, MS-LS2)

• Quarter 4: Review & STEM Projects

Having this roadmap makes planning units so much easier!

Step 3: Use the 5E Model for Unit Planning

Make lessons more engaging with the 5E Model:

• Engage – Hook students with a question or phenomenon

• Explore – Hands-on investigations

• Explain – Teach key concepts and vocabulary

• Elaborate – Apply learning through discussions or project

• Evaluate – Assess with quizzes, reflections, or exit tickets

Bonus: The planner includes 10+ strategies for each phase, plus differentiation ideas to support all learners!

Step 4: Plan Monthly Calendars

Use monthly calendar templates to: 

• Organize units and lessons

• Schedule labs and assessments

• Prevent conflicts before they happen

Step 5: Structure Your Weekly Plan (and Avoid Last-Minute Chaos!)

Your weekly planning pages help you: 

• Outline daily lesson objectives

• Track lab supplies needed (so you’re not scrambling at the last minute!)

• Stay flexible by adjusting plans as needed

Step 6: Daily Lesson Planning (With Built-in NGSS Alignment)

Each daily lesson plan template includes:

• NGSS science lesson plans

•  Lab & activity notes

• Key learning objectives

• Differentiation strategies

No more guessing which standards you’re covering or what activities to use!

Step 7: Keep Track of Lab Supplies (So You Never Run Out!)

Running out of materials the night before a lab is THE WORST. The built-in Lab Supply Tracker helps you: 

• Keep a running list of materials used

• Note what needs to be reordered

• Avoid last-minute stress before experiments

Digital vs. Printable: Choose Your Science Teacher Planner!

The Science-in-a-Snap Teacher Planner comes in multiple flexible formats: 

• Google Slides Version – Hyperlinked for easy navigation

• GoodNotes Version – Perfect for digital note-taking

• Printable Version – For teachers who love pen and paper

Plus, fun digital stickers make lesson planning even easier!

Why Science Teachers Love This Planner 

Saves Hours of Planning Time – No more endless searching!

• NGSS-Aligned & Easy to Customize – Fully editable for your unique needs

• Simplifies Lab & Supply Management – Never run out of materials again

• Supports Work-Life Balance – Get your evenings and weekends back!

Ready to Simplify Your Science Lesson Planning?

The Science-in-a-Snap Teacher Planner is your ultimate tool for staying organized, saving time, and teaching with confidence.

Bonus: Download the FREE Ultimate Guide of Online Resources for Teaching Science and get access to hand-picked, high-quality simulations, labs, and activities!

Grab your planner today and make this your best teaching year yet!