The Point of the Practice Planner

I ask my students to write down a lot, including what they're supposed to practice between lessons and all about that practicing. Why? What's the point?

The reasons for writing down assignments are:

• to help the student remember what they're supposed to work on 
• to clarify that assignment (Consider, if you can't write down what it is simply, then you probably don't understand it.)

The reasons for recording what you practice during the week are:

• to help students become accountable for their own progress and preparation
• to give me - the teacher - an understanding of their practice habits and how much time they typically need to develop a certain skill or learn a piece or etude

When a student is required to report their efforts, they usually progress more effectively than if they are not. Therefore, to help my students continually progress at a steady rate, I ask them to do a bit of writing. So, it is not for me, but for them.