Shrinking Planners: Less is More

A while back, I created this functional, but massive, planner notebook for our homeschool.

The trouble is, the thing is HUGE. It takes up too much room on the table, on the counter, and on the shelf. Don’t even TRY to stuff it into a bookbag. 

Today I decided that I had to do something about it.

I really miss just having a regular lesson planner!

But I’m picky about those.  I REALLY need lines to write on in those little planning boxes, and so many of them don’t have lines.  The ones that DO have lines are 18” across. Perfect for a classroom teacher but NOT for a homeschooler teaching only a couple of kiddos.

August to August Calendar OrganizerI stopped at the teacher’s supply store this afternoon while we were out grocery shopping, and I happened upon this little planner called the August to August Calendar Organizer.

It is small, and still has everything I have been looking for!  It is around 6”x 9”, so it will fit into my purse. It has an overview for each month, and each week is set up in a 2-page spread, with LINES and TIMES!

It also has two more pages per month, one titled Financial Record for (Month of) 2011, with the page divided into 2 columns: Income and Expenses.  The facing page just has blank lines, for notes, which is also nice. I hadn’t even thought about those being included in a planner, but how perfect is that for homeschoolers who pay for field trips, classes and books all the time?

So I wanted to share this with you, because I love it when people find helpful tools to share with others, that I end up being able to use. Click the image to be taken to Amazon.com to purchase this handy little planner.

It’s not fancy, but it does come in a rainbow of colors.  Mine is red! It has enough room to keep track of lesson plans for a couple of kids, as well as appointments and of course an expense log. Perfect for the work-at-home homeschooling mom.

Disclosure: This post contains one or more affiliate links. A purchase through one of these links will contribute a small amount to support this site, and you will have my sincere thanks!

About Dawn

Dawn is still happily homeschooling after 15 years. She teaches her two sons, 12 & 10, enjoying every minute of "the second time around". She lives in Eastern Washington with her husband, the youngest 2 of their 6 kids, and an assortment of barking, squeaking, and clucking critters. She blogs here and at Prodigal Planet, as well as The Homeschool Post. You can also find her on Twitter @DawnMPerkins, , and Pinterest.

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4 Responses to Shrinking Planners: Less is More

  1. Angie February 5, 2011 at 2:45 am #

    This is my favorite paper planner. I have used it for several years now . Last year I changed to a Jan/Jan and can't find one now-the store thAt sells it is about 40 mins away. I too set up a huge trapper planner three ring but good gravy who wants that in their purse?

    • Momma Knows February 5, 2011 at 4:54 pm #

      Angie: EXACTLY! There's no way to haul my 3" notebook around without a very LARGE bookbag– and why would I want to do that? I like this one much better!

  2. Susan Evans February 5, 2011 at 6:21 am #

    I always get more done when I plan. But I noticed that I don't need anything fancy. If I just write down what I want to accomplish the following day, and then cross it off as I do it, I'm fine.
    Susan Evans recently posted..Pipe Cleaners Gone WildMy Profile

    • Momma Knows February 5, 2011 at 4:52 pm #

      Susan: I've always had one planner or another, for our lesson plans and such, but the past couple of years I've been using a 3" three ring notebook. Too big, heavy, and just generally cumbersome to lug around. I'm tired of it. This one's portable! :)

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