Somewhere in the homeschooling multiverse—right between the color-coded spreadsheets and the “we’ll wing it” crew—lives the loop schedule. It’s the magical unicorn of homeschool planning that keeps things structured and flexible, like yoga pants for your lesson plans.
So, what is a loop schedule, really?
Well, imagine a to-do list that doesn’t care what day of the week it is. It just patiently waits for you to pick it up where you left off. Instead of assigning subjects or activities to specific days (like “Art on Tuesday” or “Science on Friday”), a loop schedule puts them into a list, and you simply work your way through that list—one item at a time—no matter what day it is.
Finished reading history? Great, next up is music. Didn’t get to anything today because of a spontaneous field trip to the fire station or a toddler mutiny? No worries. Tomorrow, you pick up right where you left off. The loop doesn’t judge.
Why would anyone use this delightful thing?
Because life. Life happens. Homeschoolers are notorious for juggling a lot: multiple ages, dentist appointments, laundry pile-ups that look like modern art, and maybe even a job or two. A traditional Monday-through-Friday schedule might look good on paper, but reality usually shows up with sticky fingers and a flat tire.
A loop schedule offers guilt-free flexibility. Instead of feeling “behind” because Tuesday’s science didn’t happen, you just move on to the next item when you can. No rescheduling. No erasing. Just…looping.
What goes in the loop?
That’s the fun part—it’s completely customizable. Some folks put all their non-core subjects in the loop: art, music, nature study, poetry, coding, and all the lovely things that tend to get shoved aside when math takes longer than expected (again). Others mix in everything—core and enrichment alike. Some even create multiple loops: one for each child, one for group work, one for electives, and one for the parents’ sanity. Go wild.
How do you keep track of it?
A simple list in a notebook works. A dry-erase board. A spreadsheet for the Type A folks. Or even a printable with checkboxes, if crossing things off gives you joy. When you complete an item, simply mark it as complete and move to the next one tomorrow. When the loop is done, start it again. Like laundry. Or dishes. But with more Shakespeare and fewer socks. (See article, “How to Create a Loop Schedule“)
Any downsides?
If someone thrives on a strict daily rhythm and needs Tuesday to always be art day, a loop schedule might feel too loosey-goosey. But for most homeschoolers—especially those with unexpected interruptions, mixed-age kids, or perfectionist tendencies—a loop can be the soothing balm that keeps progress happening without the pressure of a ticking clock.
In short, a loop schedule is like a playlist for your homeschool. Just hit “play” when you’re ready and pick up where you left off. It’s chill, it’s forgiving, and it doesn’t blink an eye if Wednesday looks a lot like Monday with extra snacks.
And let’s be honest, doesn’t that sound like the kind of homeschool schedule that was actually made for real life?
