sheryl Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Well, after all these years of not using a planner, I've decided to try it. This is my first year using a planner. One was given to me by my friend's sister in law. It was a free one from Office Depot 2010. I like it, but now I may be getting a tad picky in brainstorming for the perfect planner. What I like about this one is the there are 6 columns in which to enter the "subject" on the TOP of each column. OK, did that. On the right margin that is really a 7th column is reserved for notes. Now down the left side which is yet another column, I think, runs M-F. I like all of this. No Sat/Sun. That's good for me. Each week runs the width of 2 pages. So, when you open the spiral book, the 2 pages = 1 week of school. Now I'm wanting a planner like the above, but with a few changes. Should I make one? In Word? Excel? What? I would like to have (don't know the name of it) a "flap" on front and back covers to insert printed pages of homeschool field trips or what not. What's YOUR BEST suggestion on this. Please post any pics! THANKS!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted August 22, 2011 Author Share Posted August 22, 2011 :bigear: Do you mean to tell me not a single wtm'er uses a planner.....:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amey311 Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Well, after all these years of not using a planner, I've decided to try it. This is my first year using a planner. One was given to me by my friend's sister in law. It was a free one from Office Depot 2010. I like it, but now I may be getting a tad picky in brainstorming for the perfect planner. What I like about this one is the there are 6 columns in which to enter the "subject" on the TOP of each column. OK, did that. On the right margin that is really a 7th column is reserved for notes. Now down the left side which is yet another column, I think, runs M-F. I like all of this. No Sat/Sun. That's good for me. Each week runs the width of 2 pages. So, when you open the spiral book, the 2 pages = 1 week of school. Now I'm wanting a planner like the above, but with a few changes. Should I make one? In Word? Excel? What? I would like to have (don't know the name of it) a "flap" on front and back covers to insert printed pages of homeschool field trips or what not. What's YOUR BEST suggestion on this. Please post any pics! THANKS!!! Are you adverse to using a 3 ring binder? Many of them now have little pockets built into the front and back covers. What are the other changes you'd like? I'm trying out the free version of the Well Planned Day calendar that's free at currclick.com today. I know there are parts of that I don't need (like "Bible" as a subject), but I figured I'd give it a go since it was free. http://www.homeeducatingfamilypublishing.com/1112Previews/wpd1112/index.htm - here's a preview of it. I actually kind of prefer doing the actually planning on a desk blotter sized thing (I need loads of room, apparently), but then I could translate that into a smaller sized thing. There's also the homeschool skedtrack that's all online. Have you looked thru google documents to see if someone's already invented the thing you want? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 This is what we used last year and are using this year, too. Homeschool Student Planner This is what the pages look like on the inside and the right side of the page has room for books read, notes, and 2 more days to schedule things. Yes, I could probably figure out how to print some of these up on my own, but I am too busy/ scatterbrained to actually pull it all together myself. These planners have worked really well for us. It is easy to see what my student needs to do and easy for them, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted August 22, 2011 Author Share Posted August 22, 2011 OK, will look into these ideas. I am fine with a binder especially now that many are slim. That may well suit our needs. Thanks you two! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just-a-mom Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Am I allowed to make a recommendation? My mother and I developed one when I was a home schooled teenager. We sold our extra copies to our friends, and now it is my home business. I clicked here to see what people were recommending, and since there hasn't been a large response, I though I'd ask what was okay for me to say. I know I could've posted without revealing who I am, but that didn't seem ethical. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 http://www.christianbook.com/the-homeschoolers-journal/9780978541309/pd/97152 I used this for all 11 years I homeschooled. Worked well. I did transition to the Highschool for my DD..as there were more things to keep track of. I liked having the note colum on the right to keep track of chores, or company coming, or where we were at in a curriculum that week..goals, whatever. I have all those planners and use them when I am scrapbooking those years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 (edited) I just made one this year for each kid in Excel. I didn't want anything super detailed. I wanted something that could tell me at a glance where we should be in each subject for the week we're in, mainly just to make sure we're not getting behind. Then I fit it to one page and centered it, printed it, laminated it and put it on the wall by our school cabinet. The snipit tool wouldn't let me scroll, but here's a screenshot of the first 15 weeks for my 3rd grader. I added the boxes down the left hand side so I could check off weeks: Edited August 22, 2011 by LemonPie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tx2Step Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Do you have the skills to easily custom make one in word/excel? If so, that is the way to go. You'll get exactly what you want that way. Plus, you can change it up as you wish pretty easily as you go. Rainbow Resource sells tons of them. http://www.rainbowresource.com/searchspring.php?q=planner you can preview their pages to see what the inside looks like. I like to buy mine all made up. But, really have to see the inside to choose. If you are near a teacher supply store, they usually have a nice selection and variety. - I love the variety of forms (I'm addicted)available with the print your own planners, but seriously, I stink at picking forms to use - I choose them by the ahhhh factor. And, there is no binder on earth big enough to hold all the pretty forms, and I NEED them all. I bought "The Old Schoolhouse Planner" one year - what a mistake! I think I printed out about 2 reams of paper of forms! Did I use them? Nope. Did you see this from homeschool free resource a week ago? http://new-bintexas.webs.com/freecurriculumplanner.htm Check these links for more free planners you can print. You can purchase 3 ring binders with view pockets front and back at any office supply. http://donnayoung.org/forms/ http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/gettingorganized/planner.php http://highland.hitcho.com.au/Forms.htm http://eclectichomeschool.org/resources/downloads/default.asp http://www.hslaunch.com/mypage/files?csearch=Organizational http://www.practical-homeschooling.org/2010/02/21-sites-offering-free-homeschool-planning-and-organizing-printable-forms/ http://www.homeschool-curriculum-for-life.com/free-homeschool-printables.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepyl Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I prefer the computer to handwritten planners (if I change something it still looks neat and clean - no worn spots from erasing or scratched out lines.) If I had not found Edu-Track, I was going to make something in Excel. You can do the dates down the side, the subjects across the top and fill in ahead of time, or as you go. I would make the following sheets for each student: classes and work completed with a grade column, a reading list, a service list, award list, and an extra curricular list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oops, duplicate account :/ Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 :bigear: Do you mean to tell me not a single wtm'er uses a planner.....:lol: I asked this same question last week and got no replies. Glad you asked too and are getting some ideas! :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bry's-gal Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 http://lifeasmom.com/2011/08/how-to-make-a-personal-planner-that-rocks.html I quick idea on how to make your own planner! I wish I would have seen this one about 2 weeks ago- would have saved me a bunch of money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishMama Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I can't live without my planners! I have one for life/home and one for school. Thanks to the member who linked to mine: http://lifeasmom.com/2011/08/how-to-make-a-personal-planner-that-rocks.html Here's a little of what I use for school: http://lifeasmom.com/2010/08/homeschool-planning-putting-paperwork-and-plans-together.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 (edited) Is there an electronic/computerized planner that I can print out but also see as a calendar by day/week/month and child? I will PAY for a good one! I really want one that would also allow me to create a lesson plan book for the oldest and then copy the subjects that he and middle child both do, so that I don't have to type it all out again, and then with the middle, only type up what he has to do that is different. Any ideas? Is there such an animal? And I would be using a Mac. Dawn Edited August 22, 2011 by DawnM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angeinnz Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 have you seen this one http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=2174&it=1 it looks very thorough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 This just came out and looks awesome! http://debrabell.com/2011/07/ultimate-homeschool-planner-heres-a-sneak-peek-inside/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8circles Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 I can't live without my planners! I have one for life/home and one for school. Thanks to the member who linked to mine: http://lifeasmom.com/2011/08/how-to-make-a-personal-planner-that-rocks.html Here's a little of what I use for school: http://lifeasmom.com/2010/08/homeschool-planning-putting-paperwork-and-plans-together.html Thank you for those links! You've done a great job & it'll be very helpful for me. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angela in GA Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 I LOVE The Well Planned Day. I've bought it for the last 3 years, but only half-heartedly used it. This year, I'm going for the whole shebang. My life is so crazy with my dh being deployed and all 5 kids homeschooling again, I need something to keep us on track. So, The Well Planned Day it is. I like that I can take it with me to football/hockey/ice-skating, etc. and work on stuff while I'm waiting for the kids. I did learn to not use a pen though...ONLY write in the planner with pencil. That way I can erase if need be. HA! I don't have the high school planner, but I am planning to buy it soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted August 24, 2011 Author Share Posted August 24, 2011 Thanks to everyone. I have my own homework now in finding the right planner. ;) Still looking at your links/suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabertmom Posted August 24, 2011 Share Posted August 24, 2011 We use an ever-evolving weekly schedule with subjects and checklists for each child and an understanding of what one check mark means (1 lesson, 1 hour of reading, etc.), and I also make an Excel spreadsheet to make a weekly plan to make sure we are getting enough done each week to be done by the end of the year. Does that make sense? I prefer doing it in Excel because it's free, I change my method with frequency, I can update it easily, and I can just print out a new one when I lose the paper copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 If they would just make it into an ipad app I would purchase! :lol: Dawn I LOVE The Well Planned Day. I've bought it for the last 3 years, but only half-heartedly used it. This year, I'm going for the whole shebang. My life is so crazy with my dh being deployed and all 5 kids homeschooling again, I need something to keep us on track. So, The Well Planned Day it is. I like that I can take it with me to football/hockey/ice-skating, etc. and work on stuff while I'm waiting for the kids. I did learn to not use a pen though...ONLY write in the planner with pencil. That way I can erase if need be. HA! I don't have the high school planner, but I am planning to buy it soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimnc Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 This just came out and looks awesome!http://debrabell.com/2011/07/ultimate-homeschool-planner-heres-a-sneak-peek-inside/ Has anyone gotten this one yet? I have been wondering if it is as good as it looks. The high school planner looks great too. Thanks for posting that blog about making your own -- I've been toying with that idea all summer. I think the hard part is determining what I need in a planner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimnc Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 If they would just make it into an ipad app I would purchase! :lol: Dawn Funny you should say that, Dawn! They just posted this link today on their FB page for an ipad version. :D http://www.wellplannedday.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=01WPD_2011-2012_IP_D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Am I allowed to make a recommendation? My mother and I developed one when I was a home schooled teenager. We sold our extra copies to our friends, and now it is my home business. I clicked here to see what people were recommending, and since there hasn't been a large response, I though I'd ask what was okay for me to say. I know I could've posted without revealing who I am, but that didn't seem ethical. :-) What does your planner look like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ondreeuh Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 If you have a Lakeshore near you, check out the teacher planning books. I really like the free one they give out in the summer. It has a blank grid that uses the two-page spread for one week. I use the rows for subjects and the columns for days (M-F). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mynyel Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Am I allowed to make a recommendation? My mother and I developed one when I was a home schooled teenager. We sold our extra copies to our friends, and now it is my home business. I clicked here to see what people were recommending, and since there hasn't been a large response, I though I'd ask what was okay for me to say. I know I could've posted without revealing who I am, but that didn't seem ethical. :-) What does your planner look like? :iagree: :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 For 12+ we use the NARS Daily Log Book. I've scanned the layout for you: http://i51.tinypic.com/ay7pqs.jpg Left side of layout http://i52.tinypic.com/16a6ycm.jpg Right side of layout I like this because it has space to keep track of time per subject (or anything else you want to use that little box for!). Here is the link to the place that sells it: http://www.narhs.org/store/dailylogbook I learned about this planner here on the WTM boards and I really like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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