DIY: Teacher Planner!

It will soon be school time again! I didn't go on a vacation this summer, so I interspersed school work with reading and relaxing. I also had some meetings this summer about our new PBIS system (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support). That didn't take much time, but I still was at school, which just gives me the itch to plan and organize!

One issue that I have dealt with in the past is my teacher planner! I used to have a Ward lesson planner and record book. It worked really well, and it was recommended by my aunt (a long time high school English teacher). However, I grew tired of imputing my grades into the record book and then again on the computer. I decided I didn't need that extra work. I gave up this past year pretty early on in the year! I used the lesson plan book religiously, and I used some of the boxes for reflection notes. 

For the upcoming year, I decided to get a new planner. I didn't need the record book, so I looked online for a new lesson planner. I even bought one (not my best idea!). When I received the planner, I was instantly disappointed. This was not what I wanted, so I looked to the Internet for ideas. That led me to Pinterest and this amazing blog (Life in Middle School). I instantly knew that this would be a great alternative for me! Hellloooo? Why didn't I think of this before? SUPER easy. I can't wait to use it! Well...I can wait a bit. :-)

It took me a large amount of time to determine what I wanted in my planner! I am excited to see how it goes this year and perhaps make some changes. I decided on five sections: pacing guide, calendars, academic word lists, weekly plans, and notes. I found these great editable page dividers on teacher pay teacher. I had to use some of the colors again, because not all pages were editable. I didn't like the titles that were available. You can find them here.

For my calendar section, I included our district calendar and then a blank month calendar. I had to use two, since I teach reading and English. The blank calendar is free available here.  

I then had to design my own lesson plan format. This took the most time. I am confident that it will work, but I will be on the look out for ways to change it for my next planner. 

After I decided and made my pieces, I had to do some copying. Several of my pages had to be side by side, so I had to figure out which dividers needed to have pages copied behind them. It worked out without many mistakes. I then had it bound at Stapes! It took a few hours and it was only $4.82!

The last part to add was my ribbon to keep my spot in my weekly plans. I used Scotch adhesive dots to pin the ribbon in place on the back cover. 

The planner turned out so well! I am so happy with it! I hope you try to make your own planner next year!