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How to Make Your Own Student Planner Simple and Beautiful

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

There are many benefits in knowing how to make your own student planner. And creating your student’s own homeschool planner gives your student control. Besides, keeping your student organized, it allows children to plan out their day, week, and year.

Too, a student planner has many parts, but not all of them are useful. Creating your own planner allows you to craft it to your child’s unique needs.

In addition, trying to adjust to a planner created for public school students does not equal a homeschooled student’s needs.

Look at some of the parts to include in your child’s homeschool planner:

  • Front cover page.
  • Calendar pages to help them track
  • And lesson planning pages are the biggest part of printing.
  • Finally, all the fun and random pages that make your student’s planner unique.

Free Homeschool Student Planner

How to Make Your Own Student Planner Simple and Beautiful

Besides being a hard-working planner, there are many benefits to training your children to use one.

Getting past the idea that a planner is controlling is just not a mindset kids can have. I hear it all the time – I just want to be spontaneous.

How ever did a planner give the impression that every minute of your life must be planned? Oh sure, I’ve seen some plan like, but that is not how I plan or use a planner.

5 Benefits of Balanced Planning

So, look at 5 benefits.

  1. Teens have a lot they want to do, and a planner can help them to manage their time better
  2. Key to getting a lot stuffed into a day is to prioritize. Do you know how many adults are crippled by not being able to isolate what is and what isn’t important mow? Learn how to prioritize early so it’s less painful to learn as an adult.
  3. Children avoid self-imposed stress. Imagining that your day is busier than it really is way more stressing than actually doing what is on the list. It’s easier to see their schedule laid out in front of them.
  4. Even if you don’t have deadlines for your children’s project, they will eventually have them. Teach your students to have self-imposed deadlines. When children set up their own standards, they normally rise to the occasion. This is a healthy habit for adult hood and self-regulating.
  5. Your student needs to know how to say NO. When he glances at his planner and sees he has a full day planned, he is taking charge of setting limits. This promotes a healthy mental state by not accepting more than he can do.

Also, what I find is that if students can pick and choose not just the planner, but accessories it individualizes their personal planners.

What I’m saying is a student’s planner should be expressive as the student is.

In this way it becomes more than just a scheduling tool, but a way for the student to express what is important to him. Look a few cool things I rounded up below which can make it fun for your children.

Here is a fun Journal Supplies Storage Case because all kids need to journal and doodle. And these paper clips are so cute. It’s the little things that make a planner rock.

Free Printable Homeschool Student Planner

After adding a few fun pages to your child’s planner, look below at how to create your student’s homeschool planner.

Step 1. Choose a Student Planner Cover.

On my DIY Best Student Planner page, I have 12 free planner cover options and I add more as I can.

How to Make Your Own Student Planner Simple and Beautiful

Then, move on to different calendars to help your student.

Remember, I create 3 different types of calendars. Your student may need all 3 just like you. Why? Because each one serves a different purpose.

Step 2. Choose a Type of Calendar.

Depending on the age of your child, you may plan the school year or your child may be old enough to do it. Keep in mind, the first attempts will not come close to what you’re thinking.

However, the purpose of a planner is to train your child to organized habits. That begins here, but it never looks like we think it’s going to look like.

Read at my post How a Homeschool Planning Calendar is Superior to a Regular Calendar if you add a homeschool planning calendar to the planner.

In addition, look at the 3 different types of calendars your child may want to include:

The third part is the largest of any planner and that is the lesson planning pages for your child to note how he wants to lesson plan.

Step 3. Choose a Lesson Planning Template.

And I have 4 free beautiful lesson planning templates at DIY Best Student Planner page which you can choose for your child.

Step 4. Choose Fun Pages.
Like Random Thoughts & Teen Driving Record

Next, is one of the most fun for your student. Selecting random pages like end of year or first of year about me pages are fun. Adding note pages or pictures makes the planner individualized.

Finally, the last step is deciding a way to bind the planner.

Step 5. Bind it.

This last step may not seem important, but it is. I never encouraged my teens to use a notebook because the 3 rings got in the way of comfortable writing.

Encouraging writing in the planner is key, but it needs to be comfortable. Even using disc rings is better and coil binding is my number one preferred way of binding my kids’ planners.

Too, some parents who have a leftie can choose to have it top bound. Flipping from bottom to top is a great idea.

What do you think? Want to start building your child’s planner with my free printables?

How to Make Your Own Student Planner Simple and Beautiful

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This unique flexible and beautiful preschool homeschool planner is the perfect homeschool planner to use for early learners. While creating this 47-page early learner planner I included flexible planning pages.

Forms like 21 thematic planning pages, a year at a glance page, and 12 months of planning your theme are a few included.

Adding in an editable lesson planning template and 4 colorful attendance sheets helps you to easily meet record keeping guidelines if necessary.

Early Learner Homeschool Planner

In addition, while I focused on creating this planner for preschool age, I know the early learning stage spans quite a few years.

So, the BEST part of this planner is that it can take you from the preschool years to first grade because of the flexible planning pages included.

Too, if all your kids are first grade and under, this is the almost perfect planner for you.

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

In addition, creating this beautiful and useful planner, I also guide you how to plan.

Guiding you how to plan is very important to me; I want you to have less stress while knowing you’re creating a strong foundation.

Using my over 20+ years of experience, I know what is helpful and what is not for the early years.

Planning for the Early Years

First, look at what I included as being foundational in a planner for your little learners.

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner
  • 2 beautiful and colorful covers
  • an inside editable title page to personalize your planner
  • a pre-homeschool year planning page because planning begins before your year does
  • a form for adding books for your budding reader
  • an undated year at a glance two page spread for adding in important concepts
  • 12 months January to December for you to add your themes for each week of the month
  • 1 two page spread editable lesson planning template.
  • 21 themed pages to plan thematic unit studies
  • 1 editable page for themes to add your own ideas
  • 4 different color editable attendance records if record keeping is necessary

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

Next, look at 3 tips in how best to use this very flexible planner.

  1. The thematic pages can be used for any grade from preschool to first grade. While I planned many themes, I never had time to teach all I planned. Keeping your themes all in one planner allows you to use them again for kindergarten and first grade.
  2. Also, the 12 months of planning theme pages are not editable for a reason. At any age and especially the early years, learning is based on interests. Loosely planning or having a framework is how you want to plan. You need a direction. However, most of my planning occurred spontaneously when my children showed interest in topics. I don’t want to encourage the mindset some homeschoolers have thinking your whole year has to be planned all in detail. It should not be. You homeschool to move at your child’s pace not a standard.
  3. If you have a kindergartener or first grade, then use the editable lesson planning template. Otherwise, the thematic pages are just what you need for teaching preschool. This is how you use your planner all the way to first grade or with multiple children if they’re all first grade and under.
A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

Thematic Planning Pages

Equally important to me as I mentioned earlier is helping you plan your preschool years — the right way

There is much hype in the educational world about pushing children earlier and earlier to learn formally.

I do not hail to that mindset because I’ve seen the harm of pushing a child too early to learn.

It normally backfires because an educator is going against the natural development of a child.

Children learn best through play learning. If you choose to include worksheets use them minimally.

Why? Because children learn best through hands-on using their senses and imagination. You are not wasting your time or theirs when you let a child lead in what they want to play learn.

To encourage you to follow your child’s natural love for learning, the following 21 themed pages are included in the preschool planner so you can plan your themes.

Also, where possible if I have a unit study or activity here, I linked the topic to one of mine to get you started.

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

By giving you a suggestion for your topic, I want to encourage you to become an excellent home educator.

Year-Round Planner

Another feature is that you can use it for year-round homeschooling.

From the beginning, do not think like public-school meaning that learning only takes place on a public school schedule. Do not be stressed thinking homeschool preschool should start in August on your child’s fourth birthday.

Learning takes place gradually and that is why my planner is titled Early Learner Homeschool Planner. Your child learns 24/7 and 365 days.

All my forms encourage using a 12-month cycle to track your early learner’s progress.

Look at my other forms here that you can add to this planner for preschoolers to first grade.

Furthermore, a planner is as good as the bling.

Okay, well it may not be a necessary part of your planner, but it sure makes the day better to add glam.

For example, I love this cute wire name paper clip for holding my place in the planner.

Preschool Lesson Planner to First Grade Planner

A Unique Flexible and Beautiful Preschool Homeschool Planner

Finally, learning how to use your planner for your children from the preschool years to first grade is important. They are the foundational years; plan with hands-on ideas, getting outside to learn through nature, and by games.

Reading aloud is the single best things you can do for your early learner.

Grab this gorgeous planner to help you plan for the first-time little learners!

TOS

Important: READ THIS FIRST.
Before you email me asking where your download link is or tell me that it is not working, read this to ensure that you get your pretties timely and that you don’t pay for something and not get it.

• All my products are digital. You will not receive a physical product for anything in my store. A digital physical year calendar does not mean a physical product or calendar

.• Downloads are INSTANT. When you pay, you will receive an email with a download link INSTANTLY. Depending on your internet connection, the email could be just 30 seconds or so, or a bit longer. The point is it will be soon, not a week later, etc.

• The email with the download link will go to the email you used for paypal. If you used your husband’s paypal, your downloads will go to that email. Please check that email and your spam before emailing me telling me you can’t find it.
• Please put my email tina @ tinasdynamichomeschoolplus dot com (of course substitute the right symbol for dot) in your address/contact list so that your product does not go to spam.

MY GUARANTEE: To treat you like I want to be treated which means I know at times technical problems may cause glitches, so I will do everything possible to make your experience here pleasant. If you have problems getting your download OR have a question email me my web based email: tinahomeschools at gmail dot com.

More homeschool planner links:

Homeschool Weekly Planner vs Homeschool Daily Planner: Which Is Really Better?

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Whether a homeschool weekly planner or a homeschool daily planner is best for you depends on your circumstances. Building a perfect homeschool planner doesn’t have to take a lot of time either.

Today, I’m sharing the pros and cons of choosing a homeschool weekly planner vs a homeschool daily planner. They both have slight advantages and things you’ll want to consider. I’m pointing out these subtle differences and sharing which layout I prefer.

Homeschool Weekly Planner vs Homeschool Daily Planner: Which Is Really Better?

Besides, whether you choose a weekly or daily planner you’ve already set yourself up for success.

You set yourself up for success because you’re managing your time from the start more efficiently.

And managing your time with any planner is better than just leaving priorities to chance or a whim.

3 Benefits of Using a Homeschool Paper Planner

Take a look at 3 more benefits of using a homeschool paper planner.

1. Handwriting engages the hand brain connection.

As educators, we know the benefits of the hand and brain connection for our children.

However, the positive effects of helping us to recall is no less for us as parents.

2. Your creativity is boosted.

Then, when I write down my lesson plans or jot ideas, I’ve found that my thoughts linger.

Creativity flows because handwriting takes longer. I’ve heard it said that handwriting can be calming; I’ve found this true for me too.

And if you love the crafty creative side of a planner like adding stickers, pictures and other decorative items, your planner rocks.

3. As I write, my focus is sharper and does not become distracted by flashing lights on an app or device.

In other words, my paper homeschool planner becomes a unique tool which reflects my overflowing thoughts and unique writing style.

As you can see, whichever choice you make, your homeschool printable planner becomes a hard-working tool.

Pros of a Weekly Homeschool Planner

Let’s jump into some of the advantages of the weekly homeschool planner.

One of the best things about a weekly planner is that you get a bird’s eye-view of your week.

Look at my Editable Weekly General Planning Page and 3 reasons why you may want to use it.

Homeschool Weekly Planner vs Homeschool Daily Planner: Which Is Really Better?

This form can be used in many ways:

  1. For example, you don’t need a lot of room to write when you have younger kids. You just need a framework to follow your child’s interest
  2. In addition, when teens are doing more of their own planning, you need a framework for them. Most teens want full control over their schedule. A weekly glance page keeps you on the same page with your teen because you jot down clear guidelines. But the best part is that a teen can choose any way to accomplish his goals and won’t feel hemmed in.
  3. If you’re a big picture first person, then you may want to use the weekly planner.

Additionally, use a weekly planner if you want a thinner planner.

If you’re planning generally and don’t need detailed lists or lesson plans, you may find the weekly planner is perfect for you.

In my experience I find that families who only have one child do not want a lot of room to write. So, a weekly planner may be the perfect fit their family.

Cons of a Homeschool Weekly Planner

Next, one of the biggest cons for me of a weekly planner page is that there is not much room to write.

Although being streamlined appeals to me on some level, the lack of room to write is a huge turn off for me.

Especially when you have multiple children, it’s hard to jot down exactly what my objective is for each day.

And because my planner becomes an expression of my thoughts and goals for my kids, room to write lesson plans, my musings, and ideas for future studies are important to me.

Pros of a Homeschool Daily Planner

Next, look at the advantages of a daily homeschool planner.

The advantage I love the most and the reason I use a daily planner over a weekly planner is that there is a lot of room to write.

Below, look at one of my many editable lesson planning pages. This one is from my Colorful Undated Dynamic Daily Homeschool Planner.

Homeschool Weekly Planner vs Homeschool Daily Planner: Which Is Really Better?

Because each day is a two-page spread and I have many editable boxes, your daily lesson planning pages can be formatted to suit your planning style. Especially if you have a large family, this option may be better for you.

I have some families who use one side of the page for half their children and the other side for the other half. This way they can see what all their kids are doing each day.

Another way to use this type of page is more of a traditionally way. Use the left-hand side of the page for student’s names and fill in the subjects covered from left to right.

Compared to the weekly planner, daily planners have specific pages for specific tasks.

For instance, look at these various and specific pages to pair in your homeschool daily planner. These are just a sampling of the over 400 pages I have here on my site Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus.

Cons of a Daily Homeschool Planner

Finally, look at the cons of a daily homeschool planner.

One of the biggest drawbacks can be a large planner. If you print front and back which is what I suggest on my 7 Step DIY Homeschool Planner this greatly reduces the size of your final planner.

One more drawback for you may be that you don’t need as much detail as the pages provide. If that is the case, a homeschool weekly planner may be a better fit.

Don’t fret if you choose the wrong type of planner in the beginning. Switching and finding your perfect set up is part of the homeschooling journey.

Look at these other homeschool planner products that I know you’ll love!

Tell me, which type of planner do you prefer — a weekly or daily homeschool planner?

Homeschool Weekly Planner vs Homeschool Daily Planner: Which Is Really Better?

For more ideas on homeschool planners, look at these posts:

31 Popular and Free Homeschool Planner Printables

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re looking for free homeschool planner printables or a complete homeschool planner, you’re sure to find one here.

A DIY planner consists of many sections like a front cover, back cover, lesson planning pages, attendance forms, evaluation forms, grading forms, calendars, and schedules.

However, what makes your planner unique are the various printables you use.

31 Popular and Free Homeschool Planner Printables

Forms which are not only beautiful but easy to use helps to keep your day organized.

So, look at the sections below for a hardworking planner.

  • front and back covers
  • inside pages
  • numerous lesson planning pages
  • attendances pages
  • evaluation pages
  • grading scales
  • high school forms
  • teacher and student schedules
  • field trip forms and

MANY more forms to make it perfect.

Why Coil Bind Makes the BEST Binder

Also, because I believe your planner is best when homemade, you need to know why coil bind works best.

One of the best reasons to use coil is that your planner lays flat.

When writing you want the planner to be as flat as possible.

I see some pictures with notebooks and while I love notebooks, they don’t even make it in my top choices.

Why? There are three huge reasons I don’t like or use notebooks.

  1. First, the O rings get in the way of writing.
  2. Second, the planner cannot bend back. That is important if you print only a semester planner and want to use part of the paper for a pad to write on.
  3. Third is that a notebook binder encourages you to keep organizing.

Organizing is about accepting a system and making it work. It’s not about constant change through the year and never using your planner. Adding or deleting pages adds to the stress. Using what you’ve created and making it work albeit not perfect is how organized people roll.

In addition, coil uses very little space on the margin for the coil to go through.

Did I mention how many different colors coils come in?

Some colors are beautiful, but most office supplies business will have basic white or transparent which are always my top choices.

31 Popular and Free Homeschool Planner Printables

Whether you buy a coil binding machine or take your planner to an office supply place, you won’t ever regret using coil.

Curriculum Pages for Your Planner

Add these Printables to Your DIY Homeschool Planner ♥♥

You'll love these popular forms to make your planner uniquely yours.

Look at these other posts you’ll love:

31 Popular and Free Homeschool Planner Printables

Beautiful and Flexible Early Learner Homeschool Planner

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Preschool Homeschool Planner

Additionally, to make this newest  homeschool planner fit your needs each year, add other free pages from my original and awesome 7 Step DIY Homeschool Planner.

For example, update the preschool homeschool planner each year by adding the current year a two page monthly calendar.

Furthermore, add  a grade keeper if you have to track grades.

Beautiful and Flexible Preschool Homeschool Planner

Add in editable teacher and student schedules to this current planner if you have the need for it too.

preschool homeschool planner

Likewise if you need preschool readiness or a kindergarten evaluation, add them to this newest preschool homeschool planner.

 

 

Beautiful and Flexible Preschool Homeschool Planner