How many of you think that the school planners being forced on children these days are useful?

I always just kept track of assignments/appointments/whatever on either free calenders, 3x5 notepads, or a sheet of notebook paper for each subject in the main notebook, the folder for the class, or as a bookmark in the textbook. Low-tech ways still work today.

I realize that it is beneficial to teach children organizational skills, probably the earlier the better, but if a child is turning in assignments on time, I don't feel it necessary for the school to be concerned (much less concerned on an ongoing basis) with HOW he/she is doing it. It might be useful as a remedial class exercise, or an after school/summer school optional class exercise, but not in the course of a normal school day.

My stepdaughter's middle school not only required the students to buy one of these things, it was actually graded as part of their English class! For what, proper grammer?! No joke. I called the principal on it and she was totally clueless as to the fact that anything she teaches the children to do with this $3.00 planner could be done for free (using scrap paper) or nearly so.

What is even worse was that I was out with a friend at a mall yesterday, and she was buying fillers for her Franklin planner (Franklin-Covey stores, Covey as in "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective" series). Would you believe they are marketing planners for 4-8 year olds (preschool to primary grades)!! What do preschoolers need with planners? Only $7.95, too!! Not to mention the handhelds that are being marketed to high schoolers and college kids.

Is anyone else as appalled at this as I am? It's okay if you're not--I'm sure there are many who find them useful, and I'd like to know your thoughts as well.

And yes, I did check the "No" box on the email response:) Thanks everyone!

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), August 19, 2001

Answers

If they were actually teaching the kids the 3 R's I might not mind the emphasis on "planning". Planning your assignments won't make you better able to comprehend concepts. Teachers these days have their hands tied because they are not allowed by the social engineers to employ effective discipline in their classrooms. Their solution: planners! The answer for parents who want better for their children: homeschool. You don't need to be academically inclined to teach your own children at home, just disciplined in making sure they do the work. There are many fine homeschool curriculums out there. The parent's main role is motivator.

-- Skip in Western WA (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), August 19, 2001.

When my daughter was in 4th grade in public school, she had to use a planner that was included in the costs of her school books. She was required to list all of her assignments and any special activities. It also had to be signed by a parent every night, which helped me keep track of her assignments as well. There was a place on each day's entry where the teacher could list any problems or achievements. The planner worked out very well for her.

Now that we're homeschooling, I print out a list of her assignments for each day. Lists really work well for her. Personally, I can't stand them!

I do agree with you, however, that different kids learn in different ways. I don't believe a planner should be forced on kids, as some would find it more of a hindrance than a help.

As for the Franklin Covys for kids - fuggetabotit! That's ridiculous! I think there's WAY too much "programming" in those goobers! :-)

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), August 19, 2001.

I think alot of these things are becoming common place due to the state of the family .Mom or Dad have no day to day contact with the kids and then bitch when the get d's .This way the teacher has a defense and the assignments are in black and white ,For me I look them over and sometimes check to make sure all is done .Some children in school cannot remember how to say please or thankyou {or where never taught} none the less there assignments.I see it getting worse and worse .For parents who home school hats off , you have the toughest job .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), August 19, 2001.

Here's what one teacher did to help her students get organized:

Each student kept their work in the binder/folder of their choice. Periodically (the kids never knew when), she would ask for a certain assignment or paper and they had 60 seconds to find it. If they found it, they passed. If not, they didn't. That grade counted toward "organizes well" rather than toward English, math, or whatever. The point was that each person organized their stuff in different ways. If the kid knows where his stuff is and can get it quickly, what difference does it make if it's in the green folder or the back section of the red binder?

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), August 19, 2001.

What really bugs me is that the schools always have to take the expensive way out. The companies that sell these planners are raking in the big bucks, not to mention the subtle (and not-so-subtle) brainwashing to get you hooked on expensive planners later, instead of actually thinking and using your memory, or heaven forbid, just making out a "to do" list.

Any spiral-bound notebook would be cheaper, use a ruler, or not, to divide into sections as YOU need to. What about punching holes in scratch paper generated by the schools and using that? Even a box of plain copy paper split among several students would also be quite inexpensive.

The purpose should be trying to find a system that works with each child instead of one-size-fits-all. I agree with you Cathy, as long as you can turn in work on time when requested, leave it at that!

I also find it interesting that they require parents to sign off on this sort of thing. Definitely one of those "if I have to be doing the teacher's work, I might as well homeschool" moments. The only things my parents signed when I was in school were permission slips--they were not too impressed with "new math", so no help there, lol.

A lot of the assignments these days also involve parents and/or "teams" to a ridiculous extent. No wonder children are so woefully unprepared for college after attending public schools--they never have to do their own work. What a shame.

And Cheryl, what did they do to the child if the parents weren't diligent about signing daily, or at all, but the child was doing fine otherwise? You can't ding the child for what the parent does. Or could you?

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), August 19, 2001.

Yes.... i have heard of schools using a planner schedule for students but not forcing it on them and demanding the parnts buy them. i teach special education, so you already probably have an idea as to where this is going. The school I last taught at supplied the spiral notebook planners for the students in High school. i really liked it because this planner was highly informatitive. There were daily study tips, etc listed on each day's schedules.

As for why.... well, i see planners as a excellent tool in assisting students in organizational skills. For example, many students with attention deficit disorder of autism use them to help organize their day as organization skills are poor. The child with autism can also function better in the world with a planner of schedule. This is taught to them at an early age. In pre-school they use a object schedule for their next activities, such as a tape, etc for morning circle. The next step is a picture schedule with a picture of the object, then a drawn pic (see http://www.dotolearn.com for pics used and download pics and print0. Then the student is introduced to a written schedule. The theory behind this is if they are on a schedule it helps them organize like we would for appointments , etc.

I don't feel however that asking the parents to supply one is appropriate as many don't ahve the money.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), August 19, 2001.

Our sons school just uses a spiral notebook and we and the teachers make journal entries after his assignment list.Works great for communication and monitoring and assisting his studies. We also have a mid sixweek progress printout and teacher conference at our discretion.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair@yahoo.com), August 19, 2001.

We actually had classes which had websites. All assignments were listed, test dates, sample tests, as well as most of the notes. Makes sense when you think about it.

-- Yup (Yup@nospam.com), August 19, 2001.

GT - I really didn't like this aspect of having to sign my daughter's planner. The kids were given "points" each day if their planner was signed. If no parental signature, no points. They could use the points to buy things from a school concession stand - special pencils, cute erasers, things like that. But for the kids whose parents didn't bother to keep up with the planner, I guess there were no rewards. The school used this point system for several things. And that's another reason my daughter is homeschooled now!

However, I DID like being able to see what my daughter was expected to do in school each day, and the planner was helpful for both of us in that respect.

Now that we're homeschooling, though, a daily list works just great!

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), August 19, 2001.

I think its wrong for a teacher or school to expect parents to sign the planners as you just mentioned. Many parents are not involved with their children's education and could care less. let alone in some places I have taught at some parents can't even write or spell. Having been on a school board at one time this is definately something i would not condone. There has to be anothe rway to expect accountability. Maybe thats why teachers expect students and parents to participate. Accountability has been a "Buzz" word in education for a few yrs now. Guess its finally trickled down with now standards for partnts and children outlined. Just my thoughts.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), August 20, 2001.

Its hard to tell, are you upset that they have to use a planner or you have to spend money on one? I would love to find a $7.95 day planner insert, Last one I bought cost close to $50.

I dont see any big issue with using a planner. Its going to be needed in life, why not let them know how to use it. Kids live for the moment, Put a little structure into their lifes, even if it is just a day planner. Granted a home made planner would work just as well.

I wonder how the schools are handling the The 7 Habits of Highly Effective person since it has a strong religious basis to it?

-- Gary (gws@redbird.net), August 20, 2001.

Very honestly I think anything that helps keep kids organized at school is a plus, it certainly wouldn't hurt them to have these skills for college, and also for their homes. Look around you, I have seen some of your homes!! :)

If a parent can't take the 5 minutes a night to look through a planner, and sign the homework assignments, then why on earth did they have children? This is the type of parent that is always compared to the homeschooled parent. There are bad homeschooled folks also, there are bad parents period. I know that in a school year the only communication some parents have with the school, or their kids teachers is that assignment folder. So buy the folder, it is one of those things that we are going to be lumped in with all the parents, the good ones and the bad ones. Not sure how old your kids are, but an assignment folder is a very small irritant, wait until you have high school seniors who are missing classes on their transcripts, have a hundred essays to write for scholarships, endless loan papers..........homeschooled or regular schooled, its alot of work. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), August 20, 2001.

I like knowing what the homework was supposed to be for my kids each day and do go over everything and sign.

But...as a substitute teacher my heart really goes out to those kids whose parents couldn't care less, are obviously irresponsible (don't feed kids breakfast, leave them home alone, don't get them enough sleep). Then the kid gets punished at school again for having rotten parents. I say--punish the parents not the kids.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), August 20, 2001.

I guess I am confusing people. Very sorry!

My take on the planners is that for a student who is doing well, that is before these planners were the new "Ed Con(vention)" thing, ("con" being the operative word here) he/she shouldn't be required to have to put up with what essentially is micromanagement. I would have been mortified if my parents had to check off every little thing. I do agree with Bernice that there are probably certain students for whom it would be a great help, and I would not begrudge them that help (thank you for posting the resources to check out!). For the rest, it should be taught as a one-off class, like "how to use the library", and let it go at that.

Gary, it is not a "7 Daily Habits Planner". It is an expensive optional planner with fancy graphics for a child , marketed to parents as yet another thing to get him/her on the fast track, whatever that is. Covey is somehow connected to the Franklin Company (buy-in, merger, or something, I don't know), so you see his stuff everywhere in the store. Also, I did not get the idea that he was religious at all from reading some of his books. I respectfully disagree with you that all people will need daytimer/ franklin/filofax type planners in their daily lives. People organize in different ways, and some people are not organized at all (to our way of thinking) but still have happy and successful lives. I know many people who do not use planners of any kind. Others love them. To each his own.

Vicki, if the parents have to check this stuff over daily, what is the teacher's job then? With this kind of system (parents checking too), in a way you are teaching children to depend on others to keep saving them, kind of like a Mom who makes sure their older children get up in the morning instead of buying them an alarm clock. If children can and want to do little league, scouting, cheerleading etc., they can also keep track of their own assignments/appointments and when they are due. Responsibility and consequences, and school/ education comes first. Also, if the teacher isn't notifying the parent in a timely manner when there is a problem or hint of one, again, what ARE they supposed to be doing? If it is just passing out assignments, then school might just as well be completely web-based.

I also think that this one-off class notion should apply to PE as well. If the child can pass a physical fitness test (based on either the military model or the President's Council on Physical Fitness) twice a year, he/she should be able to get out of it and be able to take another class. Don't pass? Take a very structured PE class until you do. Race walking, running, calisthenics and so on. Just a thought.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), August 20, 2001.

At our school a planner is provided to each student on the 1st day of school for free. My daughter really liked having hers. All of the rules for the school were listed in the planner, as well as punishments. the kids used the planner as a bathroom pass also, they had to have signatures from the teacher to roam the halls for any reason. I must say that most everyone liked them because all of their assignments were in one spot. They could write in tests and papers that were due weeks ahead, and really how many of us are so perfectly organized that they never forget anything!!Granted as a child gets older they could probavly develop their own system, but this is for 6-7-8th grades. And judging from the high number of un- organized people I know, I don't feel it is something that just happens. Most people need to learn organization. Their method is consistent throughout these three years and I think it really helps.

-- Melissa (cmnorris@1st.net), August 22, 2001.

I find it quite funny that schools would ask parents and children to stoke money for a planner. Why do I find it funny?

Most of the time we receive school notices and function letters from the school a day before the event is to be held. They sould stick to the R's, and ensure parents receive their notes before they tell children how to do it.

Lew

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-- lew (lewr93@aol.com), August 22, 2001.