Hey there, welcome to Ms. Warren’s Class! I’m so glad you’re here. If you’re new, I’m Ms. Warren, a special education teacher who’s all about keeping things simple, clear, and accessible for every student. I create no-fluff lessons and tools that work in real classrooms, not Pinterest-perfect fantasy lands.

Today I’m sharing some of my absolute favorite classroom tools that have helped me cut the noise, keep students on track, and reduce my own stress. These aren’t just random websites.  These are things I actually use, day in and day out, to teach easier.

Classroomscreen: My Everyday MVP (Usually for Elementary)

Let me just say it. I’m a Classroomscreen girlie for life. This tool is such a staple in my classroom that I honestly don’t know what I did before it. Classroomscreen lets you set up a digital board with timers, noise meters, work symbols, text boxes, random name pickers, and so much more, all in one place.

I typically use Classroomscreen with my younger students because the visual layout and built-in tools really support executive functioning and classroom routines. I usually start the day with a screen that shows our agenda, a visual timer, the noise level indicator, and quick directions. Students walk in, glance at the board, and they already know what to do. It cuts down on questions and helps them stay focused right from the start.

There’s a free version with access to most of the core tools, and it’s a great place to start. I personally use the Pro plan (around $30 per year), and it’s worth every penny. Pro lets me save screens for different classes, upload icons or images, and embed links directly into the screen — great during centers or small groups.

Lesson Launch Pad: My Streamlined Starting Point (Usually for Older Students)

Lesson Launch Pad is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a quick-launch toolkit that helps me start lessons with structure and clarity. I usually turn to this with older students when I want a more content-driven start to the lesson or need to embed visuals of learning goals.

I prep my Launch Pad slides with visuals, warm‑ups, IEP goal reminders, or short focused tasks. It’s perfect for transitions, independent work time, or launching a small group while others are working. Pricing is straightforward and affordable: $4.99/month or $39.99/year per teacher.

Planbook: Planning Without the Panic

Planbook has completely changed how I lesson plan, and I do not say that lightly. This online planner lets you map out your week or month, link standards, attach files, and move things around easily. For a special ed teacher juggling tons of moving parts and individualized goals, it’s a lifesaver.

It’s also one of the most affordable tools I use. Planbook doesn’t have a forever-free plan, but the yearly subscription is very reasonable. Right now it’s $15 per year. That’s it. No hidden fees or complicated tiers. Just one price with full access. I love being able to copy and adjust lesson plans from year to year. It also helps me track how I differentiate or modify lessons for specific students.

If you’re still using paper planners or Google Docs and feeling scattered, this is your sign to give Planbook a try. It’s easy to learn and makes it possible to stay on top of things, even during IEP season. Which, let’s be honest, is most of the school year.

OneNote Class Notebook: Your Digital Binder, Reimagined

If you’re using Microsoft OneNote, you have to try Class Notebook. It works like a digital binder that lives in the cloud. You get a content library for your materials, a collaboration space for whole-class work, and private sections for each student. I use it to track progress, collect work, and build interactive notebooks. 

The best part is that it comes included with Office 365 for educators. No extra cost and it integrates easily with Teams, Planner, and other Microsoft tools. It helps me keep materials organized, share visuals, and reduce paper clutter.

Teaching is hard. But your tools don’t have to be. With resources like Classroomscreen, Planbook, Lesson Launch Pad, and OneNote Class Notebook, I’ve found ways to get back time, stay more organized, and create a smoother learning experience for everyone.

Thanks for stopping by. And as always, here, we teach easier.