My Love Affair with My Teacher Lesson Planner

This year's Teacher Planner has been the best new release she’s ever done!  I really like all the upgrades and I'm in love with all of the beautiful covers to choose from (and swap out throughout he year-did I mention I'm obsessed with seasonal themes and decor? Well, now you know). 

 Instead of me telling you about how wonderful it is, let me just show you instead! 

*Feel free to watch the video HERE.  However, I always like to get a fellow teacher's perspective when it comes to such an important purchase.  If you're like me, and I know you are because otherwise you would have stopped reading 5 minutes ago, then please stay and admire on!


THOSE ROSE GOLD COILS!!!
 This is a great spot to use Wet Erase Markers to jot down... anything really!  They stay put until you say so-beats dry erase markers any day of the week.
 I especially love the, "Web Resources," section of this page. It's perfect for whenever someone tells me about a great tech resource I want to try and then can't remember of the name of it. I also love having my passwords here so I can always have them ready in a pinch!

 Great section for those students needing a little extra documentation.  You don't have to necessarily use this for "parent communication," either.  Great if you're a mentor and have to meet regularly with your mentee, PLC meetings, and whatever else you might need to document (which seems to be EVERYTHING these days...)

 Love this section for being able to make plans for the year! I always list our Family Writing Projects for each month, chapter and picture book lists, and special guest speakers/ events! I use it for so many different things!!

 Blank pages before and after each month.  I love these, too! Perfect for staff or committee meetings, things to remember for the upcoming month, book lists of books you've read or want to read next year, reflections, goal setting-the possibilities are endless!
 See those little numbers in those boxes? Yup...you used to have to fill those in by hand or using some Date Dots. I do love any excuse to use stickers BUT I'd always end up putting the wrong sticker on the wrong day and not realize it until I was 3/4 of the day through.  It was inevitable...every month.  Biggest improvement in this year's planner by far!
 I also love the fact that she's added the "Dates to Remember" page within each month's calendar!  I love that, once again, this takes the extra work out of thematic planning.  I love being able to see what's happening this month at a quick glance, instead of having to turn to ANOTHER page in my planner. These are great for days you wouldn't typically know off hand, such as, "Friendship Day," or author's birthdays (do I have any author study teachers in the house?!!?! For real one of my favorite things to plan!)

 But the icing on the cake? She's added the dates on the lesson plan pages, too!  Literally  made me squeal when I first saw this-another great way to be able to plan ahead.

I really like the flow of this new planner.  Seems like everything will be effortless by being able to just keep moving forward throughout the year (literally!)
 These lesson plan pages look a little different this time around.  There are 6 "subject" columns instead of 7.  There has been a 7th "blank" column added though, which allows for more flexibility in what you actually do with lesson planning.  I'm thinking I'll take out my "Specials" column I used last year, and just keep a list somewhere in my classroom for student, teacher, and substitute reference. This new column will however be useful for listing reading/ math groups, allowing me to keep a list of what students I need to meet with this week, reminders, important things to remember, transportation changes, or WHATEVER!  This will hopefully prevent me from having 12 different pieces of paper laying around my desk throughout the day.

 Student checklists pages are a must! Last year I purchased her Teacher Record Book (which I can't seem to find on her website this year :/ ).  However, these checklists are what I use to record missing homework, list of Brag Tags, permission slips, record of school fees, etc. I use my record book to record actual grades.  If you don't have an online grade book or simply want to have everything in one spot, I suggest adding more checklist pages for a few extra dollars to your planner.

Then there's the STICKERS! 

 I mean...seriously how cute are they?!
 She has really stepped up  her sticker game the past year or so. I love that the blank stickers (pictured above) now have the white section to  make your note/ label so much easier to read.  I've even had my students use these "fancy stickers" during reading and math groups whenever they (cough, cough...I) need some extra motivation. 

 LOOOOOOVE the pocket folders, too!! I use them to store my list of usernames/ passwords for my students, SRI reports, important handouts from faculty meetings, pacing guides, etc. I believe you can also add additional pocket folders to your planner if you'd like. If I said it before I'll say it agin...I love having everything in one place!!! 
This clear pocket is perfect for storing your class schedule, roster, IEP goal sheets, absence notes to be turned in at the end of the year-literally anything. You can add additional clear pockets to your planner, too (I can't believe I did't do that this year!!!)
 Here's another section perfect for wet erase markers or teacher stationary. You can also add a binder clip to keep other important documents handy (that's where I stored my students IEPs so when lesson planning I could quickly flip and check their goals and make sure they were getting the necessary modifications, time, etc.

GRAB YOUR SUBJECT HEADINGS HERE!