Midyear planner 2021 update

I have written many times that I am one of the few teachers who uses a Franklin Planner. However, most teachers are mid-year planners, and I wanted to give them an update on how my planning has changed. My setup doesn’t change much, but I try to improve what I have learned from the previous year. I know planner peace can only be found in the Franklin Planner binder, and I wanted to share my mid-year changes and answer any questions people may have.

What inserts did you go with? This year I have chosen Limelife Planners inserts. I have been following the owner on Instagram for years and decided to continue to support small businesses as I chose a new planner. Her layouts are the most unique for A5, and she is one of the few people that will provide seven holes. (If you aren’t totally convinced the Franklin planner system is for you, but you are trying to have one planner for your whole life, I really believe you should try out an A5 planner.) The big sale happens in July so if you are a September start day, it might work great for you. I learned that I must have a dated planner, and I really like having a habit tracker I can see on my weekly layout. I waste too much time and spend too much money on buying stickers in a planner that is undated. I chose the colorful layout D because it met my request even though I’m hesitant about having my week in a vertical layout. (I’m team horizontal, but I have yet to find inserts that meet all my personal requests.) My only other complaint is the monthly layout is not lined. I have horrible handwriting and prefer lines. I’m hoping using thin pens will solve my problem. I recently purchased sharpie S- Gel, Gel pens and there is truly little bleed on the paper.

I love having the option of crossing out numbers or coloring in the circles in a habit tracker.

Colorful Layout D is gorgeous to look at.

What major changes to your planner system have you made? I finally started using the progressive task list Why do I use a weekly compass card and not just add a sheet of paper? I can easily see my weekly to-do list or appointments without flipping through a whole page. These tasks aren’t important enough to dedicate a specific day to. I don’t want to forget these tasks, and I need the visual reminder. During Spring Break, I began my spring cleaning of my house, and I would write daily what I need to do on my weekly compass card. When I didn’t finish those tasks during the week, I just added them to my progressive task list. When I began summer cleaning, I could see what tasks I didn’t get to in the spring. I know I will also be using my progressive task lists for remembering additions to a scrapbook I currently working on. Once the school year begins, I will be adding what I need to finish my new classroom setup. I really enjoy the progressive task lists and it works so much better than a sticky note!

My current progressive task list.

Have I stopped being a total functional planner? As much as I love scrapbooking, my planner is generally boring. That is why I am obsessed with having beautiful dividers for each one of my binders. I currently have 7 binders and my goal is eventually to have each one look how I want it with dividers and accessories. I’m not willing to create binder perfection immediately. It will be a slow process. This summer I am really focused on enjoying my time at home. I know quarantine is over, but I’m still avoiding crowds and want things to do other than watch tv when it’s raining. I decided to decorate for the whole year in my monthly inserts. I have been following Capitol Chic Designs on Instagram for some time and was happy I could purchase her items at Michaels. I used her stickers for the monthly pages. I will never dedicate time weekly to using washi tape and stickers, but I will do it when I want to destress. My planning will always be focused on my priorities, but I see more decorating in my future.

I am leaving space for more stickers or quotes, but it’s a beautiful start.

What have I changed since last summer? I never use my Arc planner for planning purposes during the last school year. I can’t keep up with multiple planning systems. I will always prefer to have a scope and sequence calendar digital. I will be using my ARC planner to hold my paper grade book this upcoming school year and use it for notes when I don’t want to keep them in my classic binder. I am using Happy Planner checklists for my paper grade book. I have always had digital lesson plans, and I don’t see that changing. . I know my new campus will be creating a monthly pacing calendar, and I will be making a copy of it and putting it in my binder. (One of the million reasons why I love having a classic size binder is I don’t feel the need to upgrade to a bigger size planner. I make a copy of any important document at 85% and put it in my binder where I want. I can also put a fold a full-size document into.) I am convinced each year that I need to stick to what works for me.

What am I doing to prepare for this school year in my planner? I am putting all the important school dates in my monthly pages and specific days. If it changes during the school year, I use a sticker or just cross it out. I am a functional planner and making mistakes in pen doesn’t bother me. I don’t use pencils unless I’m doing math. With the Texas heat, I’m not willing to use the popular erasable Frixon pens. Each day I write in my planner tasks I want to accomplish and sometimes they include school tasks. I’m taking it easy so I’m ready for the school year.

Whatever you choose for your mid-year planner, I hope you are happy with it. If you are new to planning or a seasoned veteran, it’s never the wrong time to consider changing your planning routine. I would love to hear how you are changing up your system below.

*I am not affiliated with any companies mentioned in this blog. My opinions are based on purchases I made with my love of planning.