You know that learning doesn't happen in 40-minute increments. Traditional lesson plans present content and standards in isolation creating road-blocks to retention and skill integration. If we want students to think and learn outside the box, we have to plan for student learning in such a way that instruction meets the learning needs of the students and not the time needs of the teacher. In this engaging guide, curriculum expert Mike Fisher outfits you with fresh and provocative ideas on how to "ditch" the daily lesson plan while advancing student learning. Discover how to save time by planning smarter when you: Combine existing lesson plans into learning checkpoints with emphasis on building background knowledge and formative assessment. Transform existing curriculum maps into deep learning experiences with opportunities for scaffolding and extensions. Develop new open learning plans that align standards, skills, tasks, and assessments in a more efficient and student-centered way.