Can you believe it? I’m actually posting a Monday Made It — on a Monday. Even while teaching summer school. I’d be in disbelief right along with you if it weren’t for the lower back pain screaming at me, “you sat WAY too long to make that darn planner!”
Let’s rewind, shall we? The summer before I started my rookie year (um, stop the world — that was 2012!) I endeavored to make a teacher planner I wanted to use. So I did. And I’m kind of embarassed, in retrospect, because um… no. It was not the best. But it worked! And I liked it, and so did other people that graciously purchased it from TpT.
No. Just no.
Last year, I updated it. Changed the fonts, made it more clean, and of course reflected the change in calendar year. Previous buyers got the update and they loved it! Wahoo. Right?
Better, but still. No.
You see, I’m an eternal perfectionist. I just cannot let something go if it’s not the best if can possibly be. This is a problem in relation to all things TpT. This is why I tend not to just throw my units up there mid-year — I can’t give them the necessary Sarah-love to get them up to my standards while spinning plates!
But it’s summer. And that means I have plenty (relatively speaking) of time to perfect, perfect, perfect.
Which gives you this:
Ahhhhh. Nice, fresh look. Clean fonts. Rainbow brights that aren’t too bright. Functional layouts. And oh yeah, 300+ pages not counting the editable PowerPoints. Yeah. I went there.
See, I can’t just have a planner with a calendar. That doesn’t work for me. I have a “book.” It’s got my calendar, my weekly overviews, my planning pages, and all of my student information, gradebooks, etc. This is my teacher bible, if you will. {Excuse the poor camera work that’s about to follow. I was trying not to wake a certain sleeping mister who fell asleep on the couch, so no light for me!}
It’s in a regular binder so that I can easily add, delete, or move pages as-needed. Like, you know, when white-out just won’t do and December needs to be reprinted. (Can anyone relate?) I have it divided into four sections: calendar, planning, important information, and data.
I probably utilize the information section even more than the calendar or planning, because it’s where I house my contact log for the very important school-to-home connection. It holds me accountable in making contact with my students and their families, and serves as an important piece of data if a child needs behavioral interventions.
And my very favorite piece of the planner is my student information page. I had a rougher version of this that I used last year and it was SO vital, especially when we began sharing students as a team for language arts. My teammates were able to photocopy this page and immediately have a snapshot of the student — from their demographics, to their likes, to other siblings at school.
All in all, this is really a Monday-through-Friday-for-three-weeks Made It. It’s been a labor of love and I am so proud to use it next year, and that I’m also able to share it with all of you. It’s on sale at TpT through this evening (20% off); you can check out some images of what else is included below:
If you’ve made it this far, I’m giving away this planner and a product of your choice from my TpT store! Enter using the Rafflecopter below.
Love this, Sarah! Those colors and fonts, and so many pages to organize teacher-life! I am not on fb, so I can only leave my email. 🙂
Thank you for your kind words! Silly me forgot to uncheck the "mandatory" box on Rafflecopter. 🙂 You can enter the giveaway now!
I've been looking at this planner on IG! It's beautiful! I almost wish I hadn't bought the one I already have…although I love it…yours is SO colorful. Great job on that. I know that must have taken some long hours of hard work. It is definitely worth it!
Meredith
Creativity to the Core
It definitely took MANY hours of hard work — thank you for your kind words, Meredith!
Your planner is so cute!!!! I love all of the space in it! It's perfect!
Lori
Mixing it up in Middle
That was one of my goals — to not have it be too cumbersome with graphics, etc. while still being sleek and easy-on-the eyes. I'm glad you love it!
Wow! This is adorable! Perfect and all inclusive! 🙂
Thank you, Gina! It was an undertaking to get there!
Great planner packet! Love the colors and practicality!
Anything rainbow is fine by me. I love this planner set!
Kovescence of the Mind
I'm currently trying to make my own planner and it's all about the colors. Designs are cool but they are nothing without the right colors.
I completely agree — the color scheme is EVERYTHING!
I love it! It looks like you've literally thought of everything! Love the colors and the details. My favorite part of my planner is the colors-it's bright, to match my classroom and just makes me happy. 🙂
Your planner looks so crisp, clean, and organized! I love that look. I love being able to edit and type in the boxes on Powerpoint because I hate looking at my handwriting.
The Traveling Teacher
Me too — I'm definitely a "type it up" girl!
My favorite part of my planner ( well my dream planner ) would be the info sections about students. It would be awesome to have it all in one place!!! girlforgod27@aol.com
YES. A student information section is just vital for me because student engagement and home-to-school connection is the key to success for my kiddos!
My favorite part of the planner is the variety of things included that all teachers need. I love the colors as well.
✞Heather
Swinging Through Second Grade
swingingthrough2ndgrade@gmail.com
It looks fabulous!
I love the week at a glance page of the personal planner
Love the colors and font. Also love your rendition of the contact page!
So glad you got this project behind you! I know you are glad to be done! 🙂 It's so cheerful and I love how it came together!
Haley
Owls and Lessons, Etc.
I am SO glad to be finished, Haley — thank you!
By far it's the calendar! I love seeing what's coming up and what we've already done!
Every year I search for a "perfect" planner and this one looks pretty perfect to me! I like to see a month and a week at a glance. Amy
amyjperry@gmail.com
I think this might be the perfect planner for my first year of teaching. I love that it is fun and colorful but it isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg to buy ink to print it. It seems to be the perfect combination of bright and cheery without being too cutesy! Awesome job!
Rachel
raejones1430@gmail.com
Can you believe how much ink costs? It's INCREDIBLE. I definitely designed it with that in mind — because goodness knows I can't afford an arm and a leg on ink!
I couldn't survive without a teacher planner! I absolutely love how organized it is! Great job!
Amy
Cute! Thank for sharing!
I need this to keep me organized- It looks great! 🙂
Cute planner! I love the colors!
Cheryle
http://www.as-the-classroom-turns.blogspot.com
What an adorable planner! I love the entire look, especially the bright colors. This would be a great teacher "bible". Thanks for the opportunity to win it!
I've never used an all-in-one planner/binder but would really like to try this year! Your system looks great!
I have never used a planner like this before! I would love to be the winner! jtjcook@tds.net
Planners help me to stay very organized. It is all in one place.
My favorite part about my planner is my tabs. I used to love adding in my tabs, making sure each month had a different color. Now my current planner comes with the tabs already set up. It makes it easier to find the months.:) Thanks for the opportunity!
I have used store bought planners but they are not especially teacher friendly…. I would love to win this !!! Exactly what I need!!
Karen
(oh my goodness, my whole comment just deleted!) I LOVE the looks of this planner, especially the week at a glance which would be so helpful to get and stay organized. As a fellow second year second grade teacher (and mom), I am both amazed and inspired that you find the time to be a mom and teach and blog and create wonderful products! Thank you!
I am by nature a very disorganized person, my planner helps me to keep track of school, family, and social events. I take my planner EVERYWHERE!!
My favorite part is the schedule page! Love having a schedule!!
I love being able to put it in a binder so you can add or take out what you need or don't need. I also love being able to make it my own! carly.kaczmarek@gmail.com
I love that my planner helps me stay organized and reminds me of important dates I add that I tend to forget at times ;). Thanks for this chance!
Your planner is adorable! I love all the eye catching bright colors 🙂 I love using my planner because I have everything at my fingertips- lesson plans, calendars, meeting notes, etc.
I like you system and the fact that it is a binder makes it all the better. 🙂
My favorite part is that everything is together in one binder – calendar, plans, student info, etc. Yours looks awesome and would help me be organized!
Would love it all!
I like that everything is in one place and that its made for what I need!
This looks like an amazing planner to win! 🙂 My favorite part of my personal planner is the weekly quote! ~Shannon
This planner looks amazing. Everything flows perfectly!
I would love to win this.
My favorite part of my personal planner is having everything I need at my fingertips! Having said that, it would be even better in such a colorful and bright version. Thank you for the opportunity to win this!! 🙂
This is terrific, Sarah! Well done, my dear! 🙂
Fashionable in First
This looks AMAZING! My favorite part of my personal planner is just the fact that everything is in one place. I don't need to go through a billion files to find what I am looking for. I would really benefit from having your product and wish you well on this upcoming school year. 🙂
Do we know who won?
I am sad that I missed out on the raffle…broke until payday after next so this will have to go on the wishlist in the meanwhile. Great job!
*Kate*
Windows Into My Classroom