Episode 170. The 30–60–90 Minute Planning Framework for ELL Teachers

Today, I’m sharing a simple but powerful structure—the 30–60–90 Minute Planning Framework—to help EL teachers stop the spiral of overplanning and find clarity, even during busy seasons like testing. In this episode, I am unpacking why planning often feels so heavy for teachers of multilingual learners (hint: it’s rarely about time), and how you can adjust your planning depth based on the time you actually have. This framework gives you a clear answer to the question: "Given the time I actually have today, what is enough?"

Here is What You Will Hear in This Episode:

• Why planning for teachers of multilingual learners is so layered and intense.
• The difference between planning from anxiety and planning from clarity.
• A detailed breakdown of the three tiers of the 30–60–90 Planning Framework.
• Practical steps for achieving "Core Clarity" when you only have 30 minutes.
• Specific examples of how to differentiate support—not content—in the 60-minute plan.
• How to strategically map out your week and pre-plan formative checks with the 90-minute structure.
• The importance of integrating emotional regulation (Inner Classroom) into your lesson plans.

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Related episodes:

• How to teach Listening, not just speaking to ELs
• How to Teach Speaking to ELs-Essential Lesson Components for Best Results
• One EL Strategy, One Shift: How to Support ELs Without Burning Yourself Out

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