Loop scheduling might sound like something from a sci-fi film involving time travel and quantum chalkboards, but in the homeschooling world, it’s much simpler—and far more practical. Think of it as a way to teach everything you want to teach without the constant panic of trying to stick to an unyielding schedule that was designed by a robot who’s never met children.
Here’s how to actually do a loop schedule—because it’s not just about good intentions and pretty planners. It’s about surviving Tuesday when Monday didn’t cooperate.
Make a Loop List
Start by deciding what goes into the loop. These are the subjects or activities that don’t necessarily need to happen every day but still deserve regular attention. Think art, music, nature study, poetry, science experiments, hands-on history, or even that creative writing lesson that’s been waiting patiently for three weeks.
You can:
- Put everything into one master loop
- Create multiple loops (like a Morning Loop, Enrichment Loop, or Group Work Loop)
- Keep core subjects separate if you prefer to do those daily
Example Loop List:
- Poetry
- Music appreciation
- Nature study
- Art
- Science
- Read-aloud
- Geography
Decide When to Loop
Pick a block of time in your day when you’ll work on the loop. Morning? Afternoon? Between snacks and chaos? It can be daily, every other day, or just “when we can.” The key is consistency, not rigidity.
You’re not assigning Monday to Art and Tuesday to Science—you’re simply saying, “We’ll do the next thing on the list when we’re ready.”
Start at the Top
On Day One, start with the first subject. Do as much or as little as makes sense—whether it’s 20 minutes of nature journaling or a 5-minute poetry reading before someone spills juice on the dog.
Next day? Do the next thing. Didn’t homeschool today because someone was teething or the car battery died? No problem. Pick up the loop tomorrow. It’s not mad at you.
Loop, Rinse, Repeat
Once you get to the bottom of the loop list, guess what? You start over at the top. It’s an eternal (and peaceful) circle of learning. You never fall behind, because there’s nothing to catch up on—just the next thing waiting calmly for its turn.
Bonus: If one subject needs a little more time (like spending a week building a salt dough topographical map of South America), give it the time. Then loop on when ready.
Keep It Simple
You don’t need fancy tools to manage a loop schedule. A sticky note, a chalkboard, a digital note app, or a plain spiral notebook will do. Write down the loop list. Check things off as you go—or don’t. It’s not a contract; it’s a guide.
Want to get fancy? Color-code your loops. Add page numbers or lesson titles. Print out a checklist. Or don’t. The loop is here for you, not the other way around.
Adjust as Needed
The beauty of a loop schedule is its flexibility. Too many subjects in one loop? Break it into two. One subject never seems to get done? Move it to the top or double its appearances in the loop. You’re not locked in. This is not the DMV—it’s your homeschool.
Loop scheduling is basically homeschooling’s chill older cousin. It’s got structure, but it’s not uptight. It believes in consistency, but it also knows that some days, everyone just needs popcorn and a documentary instead of a grammar lesson.
So whether you’re juggling three kids, a part-time job, a sourdough starter, or just the general unpredictability of life, the loop schedule is here to keep learning going—without losing your sanity in the process. And honestly? That’s a win.
Example Loop List:
Let’s say your loop schedule is for enrichment subjects:
Monday through Friday, 10:00–10:30 am: Loop Time
Loop List:
- History read-aloud
- Science experiment
- Music appreciation
- Drawing/art project
- Poetry
- Nature walk or journaling
- On Monday: do History.
- On Tuesday: do Science.
- On Wednesday: skip it (doctor’s appointment).
- On Thursday: pick up with Music.
- On Friday: do Art.
- Next Monday: start with Poetry.
Gamification of the Loop Schedule
To make things a little more fun (and sneak in some life skills), use “tokens” (yep, imaginary homeschool currency) to skip a loop activity or subject.
Tip: Tokens can be earned—chores, extra reading, helping a sibling, you name it.
So if your kid just isn’t vibing with math today, no sweat—they can cash in a token and work on their art project instead.
Just a couple of rules:
Skipping a core subject costs more tokens than an elective, and you can’t dodge the same subject two loops in a row.
