You already have a homeschool planner, so why do you need a student planner?
For years, every week like clockwork, I’d sit down and create a digital lesson plan in OneNote for my daughter. I’d carefully lay out instructions, add checkboxes for her to follow, and set it all up so she could work through her tasks independently. Each morning, she’d open OneNote, follow her instructions, check off each completed assignment, and log her scores. It was a great system—really, it worked beautifully for us for many years. But by the end of her 6th grade year, I had this moment of clarity: she was ready to take the reins on her own.
That’s when I knew it was time for her to have her own “student planner.” This wasn’t just a spot for logging daily assignments; it was a tool for helping her build a healthy mindset. It was about teaching her the skills of goal setting, organization, planning, journaling, and making gratitude a daily habit.
So, I told her she’d be helping me design a student planner and start using it herself. Fast forward a few years, and now she has these beautiful planners filled with a record of everything she’s done each school year—her goals, accomplishments, test scores, weekly gratitude entries, and even written memories from all her field trips. We’ve even started talking about printing photos to add, turning her planner into a sort of yearbook—a keepsake journal of her homeschool journey.
Why using a student planner is good for the student:
Keeping a planner isn’t just about staying organized—it’s about building life skills that will serve your kids well into adulthood. Once they’re old enough, getting them into the habit of keeping a planner can be a game changer. It’s more than just writing down what needs to be done; it’s about learning time management, goal setting, and the importance of follow-through.
While students might not be planning their own lessons just yet, they can definitely take part in the process by recording their assignments each day. This back-planning technique is a simple form of journaling, teaching them the value of keeping good records and the importance of writing things down. It’s a habit that can carry them through life, helping them stay on top of tasks and remember the little moments that make each day unique.
Planners aren’t just functional—they’re fun! Kids grow and change so quickly, and having a simple weekly dashboard to fill out becomes a beautiful way to document their year. From fleeting obsessions to moments of gratitude, from playdates to birthday parties, everything important enough to write down becomes a memory they can revisit. If they remembered to jot it down, they’ll get to keep that memory forever.
And let’s not forget the creative aspect of planners. Just take a look at the massive planner community that’s turned their planners into scrapbooks, filled with washi tape, stickers, and a rainbow of pens. These aren’t just schedules—they’re vibrant works of art that reflect their personalities and creativity. It’s a creative outlet that’s both practical and deeply personal, a space where organization meets self-expression.
Journal vs Planner:
When it comes to planners, there are two styles that stand out: the traditional planner and the journal. Both are fantastic tools for helping your child keep track of their daily activities, but they each have their own unique way of organizing all that information.
The traditional planner is what most people picture when they think of a planner. It usually features a monthly calendar that can be so exciting for kids—they get to see their whole month at a glance, filled with field trips, events, and extracurricular activities. It’s like a snapshot of their busy, vibrant life. The weekly spread then becomes the place where they can record their daily school assignments, jot down their scores, and capture other significant moments from their week. And that monthly dashboard? It’s a perfect little space for them to journal their thoughts and reflections, adding a personal touch to their planner.
The Student Planner below has monthly dashboards that act as a guided journaling space, a monthly calendar for "forward planning" events, and a weekly spread (not shown) for logging their school work each day. (Click here to see each page spread in detail)
The Student Journal below manages to pack a lot into just 2 pages, a full log of school work completed each day as well as larger areas for checklists and notes, a cute mood tracker, and a place for daily gratitude journaling and important reminders. This makes is a great choice for younger kids because it's not as overwhelming to use, but it's also a great option for all kids that won't utilize the traditional calendar format. (Click here to see each page in detail)
Both styles of planners bring something unique to the table, and finding the right one really comes down to how your child likes to organize their world. Whether they’re drawn to the structured layout of a traditional planner or the more free-flowing vibe of a journal, either option is a win. Both help them stay on top of their responsibilities while also giving them a space to express themselves creatively.
And here’s the beauty of it—they both double as student portfolios, capturing all the important moments and milestones throughout the homeschool year. Plus, they’re teaching your kids real-world skills that go beyond just keeping a planner or journal. They’re learning to manage their time, set goals, and reflect on their progress, all while creating something that’s uniquely theirs.
Here’s a quick rundown of the incredible benefits that come from students keeping a planner or journal for school:
Organizational Skills: Using a planner is like giving kids a superpower when it comes to organizing their tasks, managing their time, and figuring out what needs to be tackled first. It helps them stay on top of their responsibilities and makes it way less likely they’ll forget something important.
Time Management: Seeing their day laid out on paper teaches kids how to divide their time for schoolwork, chores, and, of course, some fun. It’s a skill that’s crucial for keeping life balanced and flowing smoothly.
Responsibility and Accountability: Keeping a planner or journal gives kids ownership over their tasks and commitments. It builds a strong sense of responsibility as they track their progress and reflect on everything they’ve accomplished.
Writing Skills: Regular journaling is a great way to sharpen writing skills. It’s consistent practice in expressing thoughts clearly and creatively, while also boosting vocabulary and grammar.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: When kids take time to reflect on their day and jot down their thoughts, they’re building critical thinking muscles. They start to analyze situations, understand cause and effect, and think about how they can handle things differently or improve in the future.
Emotional Expression and Self-Awareness: Journaling offers a safe space for kids to explore and express their feelings. It helps them become more self-aware and understand their emotions better—an important part of emotional growth.
Stress Management: Writing about their day can be like a breath of fresh air, helping kids manage stress and anxiety. It’s a therapeutic way to process experiences and feelings, leading to better mental well-being.
Goal Setting and Achievement: Planners and journals are perfect for setting and tracking goals. This teaches kids how to set realistic targets, break them down into bite-sized steps, and celebrate when they hit those milestones.
Overall, keeping a planner or journal is a powerful tool for personal growth and development, helping kids build essential life skills that will benefit them in many areas. I have several student planners available on Amazon, and this year I have begun to add them to the digital downloads catalog, so you can download - print - and begin without delay!
Check out my digital downloads library here where you'll find all planners, unit studies and don't forget to check out the freebies!
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