Start Smart: Building a Digital Planner That Fits You

Getting organised for a new school year looks different for every teacher. In this minisode, we explore how digital planners can support your workflow and which Clare and Rachael prefer. From Calendar and Slides based daily planners to colour-coded grade books in Sheets, we talk through practical, flexible ways to plan, adapt, and stay on top of the teaching load in 2026. We also share ready-made options for teachers who want a polished planner without building one from scratch.Key TakeawaysDigital planners can replace, or enhance, traditional day books allowing easy collaboration and a lighter bag to carry ;)Slide decks work well as a daily or weekly visual planner for students and teachers, with links to lessons and resources.Spreadsheets are a powerful for grade books, using drop-downs, colour coding, and data validation.Collaboration is easier when planners and grade books live in shared platformsPaid Teacher sharing platforms often offer polished, low-cost digital planners you can adapt.The best planner is the one that fits your device, system, and professional needs.Resources Google Calendar – for time blocking, booking links, and lesson organisationGoogle Slides – for daily/weekly classroom planners and visual schedulesGoogle Sheets – for grade books, assessment tracking, and reporting supportTeachers Pay Teachers – digital planner templatesMrs Presley ICTTalkin ChalkCanva – digital planner templates and visual planning layouts