Benjamin, Good planning helps with teaching confidence and does free up the instructor to interact with the students prior to the class starting. As for the question about over planning in my opinion there is not a clear cut answer. You need to plan and organize to the point you feel confident you can deliver the content in a way that engages the students and meets the goals of the course. For some instructors this time is minimum and for others it can be extensive due to the differences in how instructors approach the planning process. Planning should start with the development of the syllabus and then unfold for the duration of the course. Being one to two class sessions ahead of the students is always a good place to be in case something comes up and you have to make adjustments and this way you will be ready. Gary Gary Meers, Ed.D.