We have those "planners" but there is no room to write more than a few words. Plus I don't think the third grade teacher ever looks at it. DS's first grade teacher does that ridiculous color chart system so we have to initial that we saw their color in the book (half the time there is no color, I don't initial, and then his teacher circles the spot where I was supposed to initial!). DS's teacher is pretty good about replying to emails, at least within a few days, although usually it's just a one sentence reply and it comes across as blunt or dismissive (even though that's probably not the intention).