Every year around the end of summer I begin my school year planning. I put my writing work on autopilot with scheduled posts, and I turn my attention to mapping out our next year (from this July to next June).
My brain loves the deep work of planning. Once I get that ball rolling it is a fun way to spend the few weeks left of summer. The key is getting started.
I often begin with sorting my bookshelves, reorganizing our schoolroom, or sorting the closet with games, math manipulatives and Legos.
The next step I take is creating our academic year calendar.
I hope that walking through my process gives you both practical steps and encouragement. Clarity often comes when we have a clear next step to take. If this is new to you, or if it’s an area that feels overwhelming, I hope this is a helpful starting point.
So, let’s walk through this together >>>
[make sure you print out the free PDF for your planning]
>> What will the school year look like?
I get out my highlighters and mark up the calendar so that I know when we are taking breaks and major events are happening. This is simply an overview of the whole year. Just general notes of what is happening. The detailed stuff goes into the family digital calendar so that I can make changes and communicate easily.
What I Put on the School Year Calendar:
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Thanksgiving Break – 2 weeks (Thanksgiving prep, clean up, and Christmas decor up – I love that we do this!)
- Christmas Break – 4 weeks (we take mid-December through 1st week in January off school)
- Spring Break
- Vacations / Trips planned
- Starting school date and ending school date (even if they are approximate)
- approx. 32 – 37 weeks of school (depending on your state)
free 2025-2026 PDF planning pages
Because of homeschooling we can choose when we start, stop, and take breaks from our schoolwork. I am thankful that I have the ability to decide what parameters our year will have.
This is a time to look at the big picture and important family events.
The year that we moved (and each time I had a new baby) I had to adjust our school work so that I didn’t lose my mind. I have also adjusted the schedule for long RV trips, family living with us, and my older teens moving to college.
Each school year is slightly different and often changes with the kids’ ages and our family needs.
After I have the big picture pinned down, I look at our weekly plan.
>> How will I shape our Weekly Schedule?
I look at the week as a whole.
I really enjoy block scheduling. I find it gives me space to focus on one type of task at a time and also to keep the day manageable. On the printable, you will see that I have laid out our day using 2 major blocks:Morning & Afternoon.
I also write in commitments and specific scheduled events (ex: piano on Wed. 2pm). You can make this as simple or as complicated as you want.
Weekly Schedule:
- Weekly schedule and outside commitments
- classes and co-ops
- weekends and days off (a 4 day school week is our usual)
- planning time
- work schedules
- extra curricular activities
- sports, clubs, competitions
- household chores
- routines & healthy habits list
free 2025-2026 PDF planning pages
I also allow for flexibility. I leave gaps for household tasks and recovery after busy evenings.
When I look at the whole week I can allow for a slow morning or just regular life stuff that happens.
This is just an idea of what the week can look like.
After I have these two important pieces in place it feels like I have gained momentum.
I am slowly shifting out of fun summer mode and into back-to-school season. I can start looking closer at curriculum, daily rhythms, and specific planning for each student without feeling like the whole process is a shock to my system.
For those of you who are still reading but feeling skeptical. I hear you.
Yes, life is unpredictable.
Sometimes big events happen that I did not know were coming and we have to adjust. However, personally I would rather be headed somewhere and have to pivot than aimless and not knowing where I am going.
Mapping out my schedule can often feel like trying to pin down a moving target.
There is no right answer. Don’t get stuck in comparison or perfection, just move forward with the information you have right now.
You can always make changes in the future.
Each year is so different and each grade level has its own challenges. I hope that you find a schedule that is right for you this year.
Know that I am cheering for you!
🗓️Happy Scheduling!
Don’t miss these freebies!
Here are some more free printables:
- Summer Break Reflections – Free PDF
- from my blog archives: 3 Ways We Say Goodbye to Summer Break