middle school homework checklist

15 Checklist, Schedule, and Planner Templates for Students

Planning templates for students can help keep track of classes and homework, making preparations for the school year a breeze.

Templates are extremely useful for business documents, but for students they can be lifesavers.

You have enough to think about during the school year, so using a template can save a ton of time. Put your mind on your classes and use these helpful checklist and planning templates for the rest.

1. Homework Checklist

For a plain and simple homework checklist, this template from TeacherVision is great for younger students, but can work for any age. Each subject is in its own spot with days of the week and check boxes to mark off as you complete assignments.

2. Printable Homework Planner

This next homework planner from TidyForm lets you easily plan your assignments for each day of the week and even the weekend. Instead of listing out the subjects, you can enter them yourself for the day and include details with due dates for each.

Note: you will need a PDF editor to make changes to the template on your computer.

3. Homework Schedule

Another planner from TidyForm breaks down your days into time blocks. Each hour slot is along the left side of the sheet with the seven days of the week across the top. This one is great for assignments, but you could use it for class schedules or work shifts to plan your entire week ahead of time.

It is a basic template, but a useful one.

4. Class Schedule and Planner

If you need a more detailed planner, this schedule is intended for classes. However, it can also be used for more. It uses time blocks like the TidyForm planner, but breaks them down into increments that you choose. Adjust the start time and interval minutes and the sheet automatically updates. You can add your classes, pop in your homework time, and add shifts for work all in one place.

5. Assignment Schedule

This template from Vertex42 is another with time blocks in 30-minute increments. And, this one has even more detail. On one side of the template, you can list out classes with assignments, dates, and times.

On the other side, you can add your class schedule or plan your homework and projects. The workbook also includes a Homeschool tab for parents homeschooling their children. Overall, it's a good dual-purpose option.

6. Multiple-Task Planner

If you are a OneNote user, check out this option from OneNoteGem. You can quickly fill out subjects and assignments for five days of the week. This is ideal for classes that have many tasks on the same day.

For example, you may need to work on a group project, research a paper, and finish an assignment in one day. The template has a good amount of room for those to-dos.

7. Student Notebook

Also, for OneNote you can download an entire student notebook template. Just scroll further down on the OneNoteGem templates page for this option.

What's nice about this template is that the notebook includes sections for planners, five classes, and research along with note-taking tips.

8. Class Schedule

For a neat and flexible class schedule template, this one is available for Excel, OpenOffice, and Google Sheets. It is basic with time slots broken into 15-minute increments on one tab and 30-minute increments on another. Plus, it includes seven days of the week, unlike many others. For college students, this is a terrific class schedule template.

9. Student Planner

With a student planner that lists your subjects by week, you can stay on track every single day. Vertex42 has two templates to pick from that offer different layouts.

One option has the subjects down the left side with days of the week across the top. The other template is the reverse of that. Each has spots for to-dos and notes and is available for either Excel or as a PDF.

10. All-in-One Schedule and Budget

For an all-in-one workbook for college, this Excel template has sheets for classes per term, course credits, a college budget, and textbooks. You can keep everything in one place. You can also track your overall progress and your current GPA.

11. Student Calendar

Another planner from Microsoft Office is this 12-month student calendar. There is a tab for each month, spots for a weekly schedule, and a section for assignments. The year cell is editable making it reusable for your entire college career.

This template makes planning study time and homework a breeze.

12. Dorm Room Checklist

If you are heading to a dorm room for college, there is no better way to make sure you have everything than with this checklist template. You can add box numbers for packing and checks when you pack the items.

The template gives you sections such as kitchen supplies, electronics, computer equipment, safety items, and more.

13. Back to School Checklist

For parents with kids in elementary or middle school, this checklist is perfect for back-to-school time. One column has tasks to take care of like verifying immunizations and obtaining a school supply list. The second column has items to purchase from clothes and a backpack to school supplies.

If you have a youngster getting ready for a new school year, this is the template for you.

14. College Budget

When you need to keep an eye on your college budget, this template is just for it. The top section is for your funding and income with the bottom for your expenses. The most common types of college-related items are included, making this a convenient template for college students.

15. Monthly College Budget

This monthly budget tracker from Microsoft Office gives you a simple way to view your cash flow. You can glance at the pie charts at the top to get an overview of your income and expenses by month. Change the values below to add your items and the charts change automatically.

It's one simple sheet with everything you need to budget each month.

Time for Class!

For classes, assignments, budgeting, supplies, course credits, and all that goes with these things, make sure you are prepared when the bell rings or classroom door closes. Now that you have these 15 awesome template options, you are on your way to starting the school year off right.

You might also check out these essential Windows apps for students to help with school.

Image Credits: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

Printable Homework Planners to Help Students Get Organized

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

If you’re a parent, you know how incredibly overwhelming it can be for students to stay on top of studying and all other homework assignments.

Especially when they’re juggling multiple classes.

Due dates can pile up quickly if they aren’t staying organized and managing their time wisely.

However, there is a tool that can be quite helpful – A printable homework planner! You’ll find a few different styles below.

Weekly homework planners

These free printables will help students plan and track all their assignments for each day of the week.

They can write down the class, a description of the homework assignment, and when it’s due. Once it’s completed it, check “done” and move on to the next!

I recommend printing a few copies at a time. Encourage your middle schooler or high schooler to keep one in their binder.

Monthly homework calendars

In addition to weekly planners , older students may benefit from a blank homework calendar as well.

It’s nice to have a bird’s-eye view of each month.

Some of these templates have extra lines below the calendar for writing down reminders and other misc. notes.

Monthly assignment and exam trackers

Some students may prefer a simple running list of what’s due each month.

With these trackers, they can write down the class, jot down a quick description of what’s due (whether it’s a basic assignment, project, or exam), and the due date.

And, of course, once the assignment is finished, they can mark done.

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Free Printable Homework Planner

Are you looking for an effective way to stay organized throughout the school year? Look no further than a printable homework planner. This tool is designed to help students of all ages – from elementary school, middle school, high school students, and even a college student – keep track of their homework assignments and manage their time efficiently. Learn about the benefits of using a homework planner and provide a FREE Printable Homework Planner PDF that includes five different options to help students keep track of their assignments. These homework planner sample pages are from the complete Homework and Study Planner . 

Study Skills and Student Homework Planner

Why use a printable homework planner.

Time management is an essential life skill that every student needs to master. With the increasing workload in today’s education system, it’s more important than ever for students to have a system in place to manage their school work, extracurricular activities, and personal life. A printable homework planner can be a great way to develop these skills and ensure that students stay on top of their assignments.

BENEFITS OF USING A HOMEWORK PLANNER TEMPLATE

There are several advantages to using a homework planner template, including:

• Improved time management: A homework planner helps students allocate enough time for each assignment, ensuring that they can complete their work without feeling overwhelmed.
• Better organization : A weekly homework planner keeps all assignments in one place, making it easier for students to track their progress and stay organized.
• Reduced stress: Students can avoid last-minute cramming and enjoy a more balanced school life by having a clear overview of their homework schedule.
• Enhanced productivity: A homework planner allows students to break down larger tasks into smaller steps, making it easier to tackle complex projects or manage study skills .
• Increased accountability: By regularly updating their planner, students can monitor their progress and hold themselves accountable for meeting deadlines.

THE FREE PRINTABLE HOMEWORK PLANNER PDF

This free printable homework planner PDF includes five different options, each designed to suit the needs of different students. These options include:

• Simple Homework Planner: Ideal for younger students, this planner features a straightforward layout with space for listing assignments, due date, and the assignment status. This format helps students focus on their tasks without getting overwhelmed.
• Checklist Homework Planner: With this planner, students can list their assignments, time spent, due dates, and checkboxes to mark completion. This format is perfect for students who prefer a visual representation of their progress and enjoy checking off tasks as they complete them. Think of it as to-do lists for homework.
• Monthly Homework Planner: This planner includes a blank calendar for students to fill in with their assignment due dates and a separate checklist for tracking tasks. This format is ideal for students who want to see their entire month at a glance and plan ahead for busy periods.
• Homework or Project Planner: Designed for larger projects, this planner helps students break down their tasks into smaller steps and set target goals for each stage. This format is perfect for students working on complex assignments, such as research papers or group projects.
• Homework Assignment Planner: Similar to the Homework or Project Planner, this option is also designed for more extensive projects. It includes space for listing tasks, due dates, and additional notes to help students stay organized throughout the project.

These free sample pages are from the complete Homework and Study Planner, which offers even more features and tools to help students stay organized and on track throughout the school year.

Goal Setting for Students PDF – Reach for the Stars

How does a printable homework planner help special education students.

Special education students can benefit from using homework planners, as these tools address various challenges they may face in managing their school work. A well-structured homework planner provides clear visual cues, enabling special education students to better understand their assignments, due dates, and progress. By breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, homework planners can help reduce feelings of overwhelm and frustration, allowing students to focus on one task at a time. 

Planners foster a sense of routine and consistency, which is especially beneficial for special education students who may struggle with executive functioning skills, such as organization, time management, and prioritization. In essence, a homework planner can serve as a supportive scaffold for special education students, empowering them to take ownership of their learning and ultimately fostering increased independence and academic success.

HOW TO USE THE FREE PRINTABLE HOMEWORK PLANNER

• Download the PDF version of the planner to your computer or Google Drive.
• Choose the best option for your needs and print it on regular paper or cardstock for added durability.
• Customize the planner by adding different colors or stickers to make it more personalized and engaging.
• Update the planner regularly with new assignments and due dates, and cross off completed tasks to stay organized and accountable.
• Keep the planner in a visible location, such as on your desk or pinned to a bulletin board, to easily reference it throughout the day.
• Reflect on your progress and make adjustments as needed. This may include altering your daily schedule, prioritizing tasks, or breaking down larger assignments into smaller steps.
• Use the planner consistently throughout the school year, updating it with new assignments and due dates as necessary.
• Consider using additional tools, such as mobile apps, Google Sheets, or assignment trackers, to further enhance your time management and organizational skills.
• Share your success with using the homework planner with friends and classmates, encouraging them to adopt similar habits for better time management and productivity.
• Reevaluate your planner at the end of each school year and make any necessary changes to better suit your needs and goals for the following year.

Students can consistently use a printable homework planner to develop essential life skills, such as time management and organization. These skills contribute to academic success and translate to other areas of life, such as part-time jobs, extracurricular activities, and daily routines.

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Download your free copy of the printable homework planner pdf here.

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Editable and Pretty Weekly Checklist for Homeschooled Kids

July 18, 2021 | Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy .

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Homeschool Weekly Checklist

You’ll love one of my newest homeschool planning forms. This pretty weekly checklist for homeschooled kids packs a lot of options on one page.

Easily plan for the week and your student checks off subjects or skills as he or she completes them.

Editable Weekly Checklist Features

This printable homeschool weekly planner organizes everyone’s learning for the week.

Look at these weekly checklist features packed on this one page form.

• Editable box at the top for the student’s name and box to type school week date.
• Editable boxes for subject or life skills. There are 10 subjects or life skills boxes for the week. This section is named Subjects | Life Skills.
• An area next to the 10 editable boxes for your student to check when completed AND to note a grade under the G column.
• Did I mention there there are columns for every day INCLUDING the weekends? We know learning doesn’t stop because it’s the weekend and you want a way to track that too.
• And an editable area for your student to fill in what else he or she wants to do for the week or to plan subjects out in this area or use both areas. Use the area at the top or use this area named This Week .
• Another area that is editable is the Weekly Priorities area. Fill it in and then your student can check on the circle when completed.

Uneditable Weekly Checklist Feature s

Next, some areas of the weekly checklist don’t need to be editable.

• There are two boxes for adding the weekly total of core and non-core learning hours if you want or need to track them.
• Also, there is a place for a total for quizzes or tests to track an average. Of course this can’t be done until the end of the week, so those boxes are not editable. This area is titled Grades Average.
• Then one more section on the page that your student will love is a place to pen his or her thoughts down on paper as life or news events unfold. The title of that area is Current Events and Thoughts.

 Weekly Planner printable

Look here at the picture. The blue part is the area that IS editable.

I know some may download my digital products and aren’t aware that editable does not mean changing fonts or changing the layout.

That is against my copyright. More important, I want you to get the best use out of this awesome weekly printable planner by learning how to use the editable parts.

  Other Homeschool Planner Pretties

Too, look at these other products I have which I know you’ll love for your 7 Step DIY Homeschool Planner .

Also, you’ll love that I have TWO colors in this ONE download of this weekly checklist for your kids.

Too, remember you can edit only the parts you want to and leave the rest AND if you don’t want to edit anything, just print and pen in at your leisure. There are so many ways you can use this newest planning form.

As with most all of my homeschool planning forms, you have much flexibility with how to use these. You can also add these to my DIY Best Student Planner here on my site.

Terms of Use

Important:  READ THIS FIRST. Before you email me asking where your download link is or tell me that it is not working, read this to ensure that you get your pretties timely and that you don’t pay for something and not get it.

• All my products are digital. You  will not   receive a physical product for anything in my store. A digital physical year calendar does not mean a physical product or calendar. • Downloads are INSTANT. When you pay, you will receive an email with a download link INSTANTLY. Depending on your internet connection, the email could be just 30 seconds or so, or a bit longer. The point is it will be soon, not a week later,etc. • The email with the download link will go to the  email you used for paypal . If you used your husband’s paypal, your downloads will go to that email. Please check that email and your spam before emailing me telling me you can’t find it. • Please put my email  tina @ tinasdynamichomeschoolplus dot com   (of course substitute the right symbol for dot)  in your address/contact list so that your product does not go to spam

MY GUARANTEE:  To  treat you like I want to be treated  which means I know at times technical problems may cause glitches, so I will do everything possible to make your experience here pleasant.

You can grab this below:

Editable Weekly Checklist for Homeschooled Kids and Educators

You’ll love these other helpful posts:

• The Best Colorful Undated Dynamic Daily Homeschool Planner
• Colorful and Editable Homeschooled Student Attendance Record
• 4 Editable Homeschool Planning Pages to Ease Planning
• How to Write a Simple But Effective Homeschool Lesson Plan
• How Far Out to Homeschool Lesson Plan?
• Helpful Read Aloud Tracking Time Homeschool Form

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FREE Homework Checklist - Middle School or High School

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Homework Checklist for Middle School or High School. FREE Use this form to check off homework as it is completed daily. Just write in the names of your students and your class period at the top, and put it on a clipboard. Easy way to keep track of student compliance, and a great timesaver for classroom organization. You can keep track of homework due Monday through Friday. Includes blank reminder pages to send home with students about assignments or missing work.

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Maneuvering the Middle

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20 Must Teach Middle School Routines

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links that support the content on this site. Read our disclosure statement for more information.

With almost 30 years in the middle and high school classroom between the Maneuvering the Middle team, we have many thoughts on the routines and procedures necessary to run a successful classroom. 

This list is not exhaustive but will hopefully provide you with a place to start. One recommendation is to think backwards. Start by thinking about how you want your classroom to look and feel when the students are working and you are teaching. Ask yourself, “What did I have to teach my students in order to reach this ideal state?” 

I have outlined some essential middle school routines to teach to your students.  Some, I have seen effective teachers implement as well as ones that worked wonders in my own classroom.  (Sometimes routines are born out of necessity)

20 Must Teach Middle School Routines & PROCEDURES

Daily routines, 1. how to enter your classroom.

This fell into the – surely I don’t have to teach students this – category.  Turns out, I did.  It is better to be proactive than reactive as a teacher or you will have students who take advantage of the ambiguity. I used these posters to guide my students. “Take the most direct route to your seat” was a game-changer for me.

2. Warm up/BELL RINGER

Where do students get the warm up ?  When should they start on it?  Are they allowed to talk during this time?

3. Sharpen pencils

When students need to sharpen their pencils, they raise their hand and make the letter P in sign language, so I can simply nod or tell them to wait.  That is one procedure that has worked for me.  Students know that they must always ask permission which eliminates any rude interruptions while I am teaching. Some teachers have a trading system so that the pencil is never sharpened during class. 

4. “I don’t have a pencil” 

There is no combination of words strung together that I despise more than these (except perhaps “I don’t get it”).  Seriously, can someone solve this problem for me?  My sister and I joked about buying these for every table in my classroom.  What is so hilarious, is that I frequently go to meetings where I have to ask to borrow a pen.  #teacherfail

5. Hand Signals

When students raise their hands, you are subjecting yourself to Pandora’s box when you call on them.  By using hand signals, you are placing a filter on some of this ‘spam.’  I have a hand signal for needing a tissue, asking to go to the restroom, asking a question, answering a question, and sharing a comment.  This will save you so much energy.  While working with my small group, I would stop what I was doing to walk across the classroom to address a raised hand, only to be asked to go to the restroom.  Stop the madness! Use hand signals! 

You can get Hand Signals and so much more in our Classroom Poster Pack .

6. Restroom 

When are students allowed to use the restroom in your class? Do they have a certain number of times they are allowed to go in six-weeks? How do you track that? Check out the brilliant procedure Noelle used in her classroom. 

7. Dismissal procedures 

When can students start packing up?   Do students just leave when the bell rings? What are they responsible for cleaning up? Do they need to stack chairs? 

8. Technology

Learning with technology is a privilege.  When you threaten to take away the iPad or computer, make sure to follow through.  Have a packet of work copied and ready to hand out to students who are choosing to be off task or treat the technology with disrespect.  Another procedure to consider is how the technology gets distributed and put away.  Remote learning has created more of a need for technology routines and procedures. Watch for that post – coming soon!

9. Cell phones 

My school has a strict policy that if you have your cell phone out or if it goes off, teachers collect them and parents have to come pick them up.  Most schools are not like that though.  While phones can be tools, they can also serve as a distraction.  Be specific about what phones are used for in your classroom, and stick to it. You could try this or try this. Or check out Pocket Points – an app that rewards students for staying off their phone.

10. Calculators

There are many procedures that must be taught regarding this equipment especially if they belong to the school.  I found that having calculators on the wall and students picking one up on the way in seemed to work pretty well.  Make sure that you have a routine in place when calculators stop working or run out of batteries. 

11. Passing in papers

Do students make a pile at their table?  Do students get up and turn in the assignment to a tray?  What about tests?  If you have individual desks, do students pass the paper up, back, or across?

12. Attention getter

When you get students’ attention, what are they supposed to do?  Get silent? Stop moving? Look at you? They probably need to do all of these things, so be prepared to practice this with your students several times. Make sure that you wait for 100% compliance before making your announcement or giving direction. Many teachers love using this wireless doorbell .

Weekly Procedures

13. trade and grade papers.

After realizing that I only use ‘trade and grade’ on assignments that weren’t actually going to be a grade, I stopped. I allowed students to grade their own assignment to get feedback and ask questions easily. If the assignment was going to be a grade, I would use Google Forms or a bubble sheet. 

14. When someone enters

Do your students talk to office aides or other teachers when they enter your classroom?  Yep!  Mine too.  Teach them that only the teacher addresses guests and if they have something they must add, they have to put up the hand signal for comment or question.

15. General group procedures

How do students get into groups?  What is the expectation of the group members?  Do you have roles?  My students sit at tables, so they naturally have a group to work with.  When I had desks in pairs, we addressed how to move the desks, where to move them, and what the expectations were of each role.  I personally reserved roles for larger assignments/projects.  

`16. Small group procedures

Check out this post for some of the routines I practice for small groups. 

17. Supply procedures

Routines in place – what to do when my glue stick runs out?  What if I need to sharpen my colored pencil?  Who picks up trash?  I use table bins  with just enough supplies to keep things manageable, and I have a student organize them at the end of each day.  The table bins are only out on tables when we are using glue, colored pencils, or scissors, so students aren’t tempted to play with the materials.

Less Frequent Procedures

18. emergency procedures.

Most schools are different, but one routine has remained the same during every emergency procedure, students are silent.  This is a hard one to execute if your entire school or grade level isn’t consistent. I explained to students that teachers need to be able to hear instructions or take attendance and silence helps that move along faster. 

19. Band aid/nurse/I have a headache

To get a bandaid in my class, you have to be bleeding, and I keep bandaids in my room so that no class time is missed. .  For headaches, I ask them to take some deep breaths and drink some water.  I rarely allow students to go to the nurse because then it will never stop.  Get into the habit of sympathizing with your student and telling them that they are strong enough to tough it out.  Then walk away.  Exceptions: vomiting and blood. 

20. Quiz and test procedures

This is a procedure that you do not have to teach the first few days of school, but you need to teach the first few times you give a test or quiz, so make sure to allow enough time for that.  Teach how you want students to turn in their tests, what they need to do after they have finished, and how to treat testing folders (if you use them).

Need more routines and procedures?

• 15 more routines and procedures to teach your students here.
• Routines and Procedures to prioritize the first day of school.
• 5 Routines to Teach in the Digital Classroom

Editor’s Note: We have been publishing content for the Maneuvering the Middle blog for over 6 years! This post was originally published in June of 2016 and has been revamped for accuracy and relevancy. 

Digital or Printable Syllabus

Get your free digital or printable middle school syllabus!

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39 comments.

July 29, 2016 at 8:25 am

#4: I don’t have a pencil.

I use a pencil “library” students can check out (and return) a pencil for class. The return part is a bit of a struggle. I use an honor system, so it gets taken advantage of by some students.

July 30, 2016 at 11:35 pm

I like calling it the pencil library! Great idea!

August 3, 2016 at 5:51 pm

I use a trading system. I call it G-Fry Traders (all the supplies are hanging in back of my desk in a shoe organizer) and the students have to trade me something they value to get the supply they need. At the end of class, they give me back the item and I give them back theirs! I started this last year. This year I do not need any pens, pencils, crayons, glue, scissors, etc because I still have almost all my supplies from last year!! FYI- they can only ask at the beginning of class or in an emergency ( like their pen explodes or pencil breaks).

August 4, 2016 at 10:31 am

Great idea, Teresa!

August 5, 2017 at 9:27 pm

I have them trade their phone or backpack for a pencil only at the beginning of class. It’s amazing how some students suddenly find their pencil when they have to trade something they value.

August 11, 2017 at 5:13 am

Great idea!

August 16, 2017 at 9:46 pm

Lol! I have had students trade me a shoe to borrow something! I will say… they never forgot to trade back! Haha!!! I haven’t done that in a while since I started teaching 3rd grade and having community supplies, but now that I’m teaching 5th… I should totally do that again! I forgot all about it!!

June 27, 2018 at 3:51 pm

My school won’t allow us to take shoes in trade – said it’s a safety issue in case of emergenices

August 21, 2018 at 2:57 pm

I take the cell phone, they will not forget that. I did the shoe thing but once you get a smelly one you have to find another option. I teach middle school 6-8 so they always have their phones. They do not smell as bad, lol.

August 8, 2016 at 10:41 am

I use the hands up method of getting their attention: 2 tries of, “if you can hear me put your hand up…(3 seconds waiting)… if you can hear me put your hand up.” If not all children are compliment I say, “try three, if you can hear me put your hands up.” For every try from three on the kids owe me 30 seconds after class, and with a 5 minute passing break the kids hate staying. They help to quietly get friends attention after the first time I hold them back. Follow through and clear warnings are what help this system.

August 11, 2016 at 7:15 am

Hi Caitlin! It sounds like you have a great system! Love the idea!

August 8, 2016 at 10:34 pm

Hi!! Where can I find the hand signal file in order to download it ??

August 11, 2016 at 7:14 am

Hi! They can be found as a part of this poster pack. Thanks! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Posters-for-Middle-School-Growth-Mindset-and-CHAMPS-2658655

August 11, 2017 at 11:10 am

Can just the hand signals be purchased separately?

August 22, 2017 at 1:19 pm

Hi Linda! Right now I just have the entire poster pack. Thanks for checking!

December 13, 2016 at 8:28 pm

Love the list! Thanks for all the detail. BTW – my rule for the nurse is similar to yours. I use the 3 Bs – unless there’s BONES, BARF, or BLOOD they probably don’t need the nurse 🙂

February 18, 2017 at 8:56 am

Such great ideas.

June 11, 2017 at 3:35 pm

Great ideas! Will definitely put all of these on my to teach list.

July 7, 2017 at 4:26 pm

Can you recommend where I could find the clipart for the hand signals? I know you sell your posters, but I want to use different hand signals for different commands. I can’t find one set that meets my needs. Thoughts?

August 11, 2017 at 5:30 am

I found mine on TpT. Hope that helps!

July 7, 2017 at 10:16 pm

I have a bunch of cheap pens wrapped with duct tape and a cheesey cheap flower on the top for students who don’t have anything with which to write. They must place their ID in the flower pot as collateral. Easy!

July 10, 2017 at 5:16 pm

Students must put one of their shoes in my shoe basket to borrow a pencil. When they return my pencil, they can have their shoe back. This has to happen as they walk in and as they leave.

August 20, 2017 at 5:35 pm

For pencils, I do an upgrade system. About once every two weeks I offer “Free Upgrades” to students who brought a pencil to class. They can trade it in to me, regardless of condition, and I give them a brand new pre-sharpened pencil. Then, when a kid comes unprepared, they get a used pencil. This way, kids who need pencils will always get them, no problem, but I’m not rewarding them for not coming prepared, instead, I’m rewarding the kids who are prepared with new pencils.

My students LOVE it. They will ask, “Is it an upgrade day???”

August 22, 2017 at 1:15 pm

This is a fabulous idea!

February 20, 2018 at 1:22 am

LOVE THIS!!!! I am totally going to use it.

June 22, 2018 at 12:44 pm

I am so glad! Let us know how it goes!

April 11, 2020 at 9:05 am

I am so using this. Thank you!

July 9, 2020 at 5:01 pm

I love how this routine uses positive reinforcement. I am always looking for ways to add more positive experiences in my classroom. Great idea!!

August 29, 2017 at 9:35 am

Noelle in the section about “I don’t have a pencil”, there was a hyperlink (joked about buying these) but when I go to the link there is nothing…what was it linked to? I need something else to deal with the pencil issue I AM GOING CRAZY BROKE!!!!!!!

June 22, 2018 at 1:16 pm

https://www.amazon.com/Secure-Antimicrobial-Counter-Refills-514455/dp/B00Q8TEL2K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1529691324&sr=8-2&keywords=pen+chains+counter&dpID=51sRsapO4VL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch . Best of luck with the pencil issue! If you do use these pen chains, let us know how it goes. Haha.

January 2, 2019 at 11:01 am

O! I like this idea! Also, would probably put them at my standing desk because the ones that are not preapred are also the ones who usually cause my behavior issues… Might end up helping more than one issue!

August 31, 2018 at 7:26 am

I start each class with a box of pencils. We don’t leave until I have all my pencils back. After a few days, kids will volunteer to collect pencils. Once in a while one gets away, but I think kids like the safety of knowing I will always have a pencil for them, and return them.

July 29, 2019 at 10:42 am

Thanks for all this information. How do you have kids do morning math with rotating classes? I will want them to work on it right when they come in, but where do you store it? I’m worried if they bring it then they will “forget it.”

August 3, 2019 at 2:45 pm

I really appreciate this list, I’m using it to help with my 5th graders. You have some super ideas. Thanks for sharing

August 5, 2019 at 3:52 pm

When I got tired of fighting the pencil issue, I bought a box of golf pencils (short and eraser-less). They are not too expensive and no one wants to use them. Miraculously, they usually find a pencil or a friend to loan them one but if not, the little one works.

January 27, 2020 at 5:12 pm

Such a fun read and *awesome* reminders! Even high schoolers are still just kids, especially as we look at trauma-impacted minds. Thank you for reminding us to be super intentional…even if it is the 7th time they ask 🙂

February 8, 2020 at 12:52 pm

Hi, Jen — Thanks for your comment! I couldn’t agree more. It is hard work to be patient, but it is important work!

July 9, 2020 at 4:57 pm

I have a “pencil wall” where I have attached pencil holders (the cheap rubber ones from Wal-mart) to the wall. I made sure there was enough so that everyone in the class could get a pencil if needed. As they enter the room, the students can take one if they need one, but all of the holders need to have a pencil in them before the class is excused for the next period.

I also got rid of my pencil sharpener for students (I sharpen all pencils during my prep period or at the end of the day). The routine is to raise their dull pencil in the air to indicate that they need a sharp pencil, which I take from the pencil wall and replace it with their dull pencil (which usually isn’t that dull). Not having a pencil sharpener has saved me from having to deal with the constant interruptions of students getting out of their seats and then waiting for the noise of the sharpener to stop.

Since I started this routine I no longer find broken pencils on the floor and all of the money I would spend on replacing pencils I get to spend on fun activities to use in the classroom to engage my students and help them find a love for math.

August 20, 2020 at 3:59 pm

Great ideas, Jennifer! Broken pencils are the worst!

Homeschool Daily Checklist + FREE Printable for Your Kids

Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links. That means if you use them to make a purchase, I may earn a commission. You can read my full affiliate disclosure  HERE .

Balancing homeschooling, housekeeping and running a business is challenging. One thing that helps me stay organized is a good homeschooling checklist! Today I’m going to share with you my homeschool daily checklist (and yes – there’s a free printable at the end of the post!).

Everyone is different, but I personally love to have a routine to follow in our homeschool. When I first began homeschooling , I scheduled everything out to the hour each day, thinking that if I could just have the perfect plan and schedule, my homeschool would run smoothly.

Those of you with multiple little ones can empathize with me on how that actually turned out! That schedule was out the door after the first month (I really tried for a few weeks!).

Don’t get me wrong – schedules can be great. I used to teach high school math, so it’s no wonder I tried to run my homeschool in a similar fashion, schedule-wise. But at this time in our lives, a loose routine and a homeschool daily checklist is working much better!

I use a homeschooling checklist to not only keep me on track with what we have to accomplish each day, but to help teach my kids to manage their time well.

Not only does it help them learn how self-regulate, but having a checklist helps them take ownership about moving through their school day without me nagging them every step of the way (who wants that?). Plus, it’s satisfying to check off all those little boxes and see what you’ve accomplished that day!

Using Our Homeschool Checklists

I’m often asked what our homeschool routine looks like, so I wanted to share that first so you can see how we use our checklists.

Note : the one thing I do not put on our homeschool daily checklist is a list of specific chores . I created separate chore charts to use for that, as we use a zone cleaning method with our kids in our home. You can read more about that here !

So once the kids wake up, they have breakfast and get ready for the day (get dressed, brush teeth and hair). I used to include those tasks on our charts, but since my kids are a little bigger now, they are more habits than anything.

Most days we’ll then together to pray or do our bible lesson before separating into individual school work.

This year we are using BJU Press Homeschool for most of our curriculum, and it has been a blessing in this season! My older kids (3rd, 2nd, and 2nd grade) have gotten a chance to be more self-directed in their school work while I chase the toddler around. The mixture of independent and parent-led learning has been a good balance for us.

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On their checklists, I write down each thing they need to finish daily. This varies per child, but for example, my son’s checklist typically reads :

• Heritage Studies/Science
• Handwriting
• 15 Minutes Piano
• AWANAS work
• 30 minutes of silent reading
• Chores (listed on here as a reminder to finish them!)

So mostly I list out the subjects he needs to complete, along with anything else that week that needs to get done.

The great thing about a homeschool checklist is that it isn’t tied to a strict time, but gives my kids a guideline of what is expected of them.

It’s also very helpful for me, since I have kids at different levels and I am not working with all of them at once all the time… it helps me keep track of who has done what!

I also jokingly call our checklists the “Can I have electronics?” form , because before we started using them, that’s inevitably what I would get asked all day. Now my kids know that if they want to have the privilege of using their electronics, they need to show me that their charts are completed.

Most days my kids get through their entire list, but if they don’t, they know they have to do a little bit extra the next day or on the weekend (we will discuss these expectations together depending on the circumstances).

Filling Out Your Homeschool Checklist Printable

I hope these checklists will also be a super easy way for you to help your kids keep track of their daily tasks!

There are 10 different designs I have created; let your student pick out their favorite one (might make it a little more fun to complete). You can print one out for each week and put it in the front of a binder or planner. Another great option is to laminate it or stick it in a page protector and use a dry-erase marker!

The Daily Task list and Weekly Habit sections are editable , so if you are going to print them weekly, you can easily edit them on your computer first.

(The blue editable fields will print clear when you print the homeschool checklists!)

Simply list out the tasks you would like your kids to complete each day in your homeschool. Most likely this will be school work or subjects, but if you don’t have chore charts , you might also include chores (really anything that needs to be completed each day).

It’s best to be specific with your tasks when applicable! For example, writing “30 minutes violin practice” is better than just “practice violin”, so your child has a boundary to follow.

Homeschool Habit Tracker Checklist

Use the “Weekly Habits” space at the bottom to track things that might not get done every day, but you still want your kids to get into a good habit of doing them!

For us, I included music practice and silent reading on our checklist as things I want done every day, but you could include them in the habit section instead. Bible study or devotion time might be good to write in if your kids are working on that habit.

The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days. Charlotte Mason

If your kids are working on personal care habits like brushing their teeth, daily bathing, brushing their hair, or picking up their rooms, those could go in the habits section.

Talk with your kids and let them help you come up with good habits they want to work on! Then look over their lists each week to see if they are meeting their goals. After a few weeks of creating the habits, take them off the checklist and see how they do keeping it up.

Teaching Your Kids to Use the Homeschool Daily Checklist

If this is the first time you have used a homeschool daily checklist, it may take time for your kids to be able to use them independently. They may need practice, and for you to guide them through it a bit at first.

Soon, they will begin to appreciate the direction having a checklist gives them as they work through their day.

As you teach them the skills they need to use a checklist, you will love to see them become more independent and able to move from task to task unprompted.

• When you first start, add tasks that are manageable for your kids , so they can feel that sense of accomplishment when they complete everything. Keep time in mind too – you don’t want to add too many things that it becomes impossible to complete within your day.
• A good idea is to sit down and have your kids talk you through the checklist – let them explain to you what they will have to do to check off each item . This lets you know that they understand the expectations, and that the tasks you wrote are clear!
• Help your kids set goals , and maybe even a reward for finishing their homeschool daily checklist. Like I said, screen time/electronics is a big motivator for us, but it might be something different in your home.

Finally, make sure YOU take time each day to go over the checklist and actually check it! Make sure to hold your kids accountable to finishing their tasks; if they don’t think someone will check it, they will be tempted to cut corners (or not even use the tool).

Get your FREE Homeschool Daily Checklist

I hope that you will enjoy using a homeschool daily checklist! I created 10 different designs, so your kids can choose their favorite one to use.

FREE Homeschool Checklists

Help your kids stay organized and on-task in your homeschool with my Homeschool Daily Checklist – exclusive for Blessed Homeschool Subscribers!

Please check your email to download your checklists.  Enjoy!

The ability to work through a checklist independently is a great skill to teach your kids, and I hope this helps them stay focused and on task in your homeschool!

Drop a comment below – let me know if you have tried the checklists! Which design do your kids love the most?

Related Posts

• 6 Ways to Help Your Kids Create Good Habits
• Effortlessly Create and Organize a Homeschool Portfolio
• The Best Chore Charts for Kids (You’ll LOVE this System!)

Blessed Homeschool is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can read my full affiliate disclosure HERE.

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13 Comments

Thank you for this amazing resource! Such an amazing way to use a checklist for homeschooling. Pinned to save!

Hi, We’ve been using your checklist this year and my children love it! I can’t find where I downloaded it to, and I have tried several times to complete your email signup to get the files again but haven’t received them. We appreciate the time you spent on the cute graphics and would love to keep using these! Thank you for your help. Liz

Just sent you a link via email – thanks Liz!

Fun checklist! I’m sure my kids would love the designs, but I’m looking for a checklist that includes Saturday and Sunday. We don’t always follow the M-F workweek in our homeschool!

Thanks Alison! I have a 7-day version as well; just emailed it to you!

I haven’t received the checklists via email although I’ve signed up a couple of times. Any help you can send my way? Thanks

Absolutely – just emailed!

I also have tried signing up several times and am not receiving the checklist. I would really like to try them! I did receive one email titled checklists but it was on a different topic with no checklists. Could you please send them to me? Thanks!

Yes! Sent! So sorry, no idea why it’s not working <3

My first year of homeschooling. A little nervous but I won’t give up as I know this is what’s best for my babies.1 kindergartener, 2 first graders, and 1 second grader! Really need all the help I can get with checklist, chore chart, and really anything to help ease my mind! Thank you for helping mommas out!!

You can do this!! Two first-graders…fellow twin mama? Are you going to use a particular curriculum this year?

Hi Sara, I’ve tried with two different emails to get the download for the checklist but I’m not having success. Are you able to send via email?

Yes! Just sent it to you 🙂

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