A Beginners Guide to Loop Scheduling
Loop scheduling can be a fantastic scheduling tool for homeschool families. Not only does it allow you to cover substantial material but also gives you a workable plan that doesn’t leave you stressed.
What is Loop Scheduling?
Loop scheduling is basically rotating through a list of subjects in order to cover the selected material.
What’s so Amazing about the Loop Schedule?
The magic in a loop schedule isn’t that you accomplish more in a day but rather the mental ease of not feeling behind.
For example, when you block science every day at 3pm you are tied to that time. Let’s say, however, that you got stuck at a late dentist appointment; The block schedule tells you, that you need to hurry up, get home, and play catch-up so you won’t be behind… or do double tomorrow.
On the other hand, the loop schedule gives you grace. It says, if the routine didn’t go as planned today, simply start back the next day on the loop-list wherever you left off.
Because you are working with ease, it becomes quite manageable to cover a lot of content over the course of the year.
Block vs. Loop-Which is Better?
It depends on the person. I like both. I prefer to block our core subjects like math, language arts, and reading, as well as, block a time for us to do our loop schedule.
We have found, for our family, that having a general routine of when we do certain things, works well for us.
How to Create a Loop Schedule
1. Write a list of subjects you want to cover. For me, I leave out the core subjects and focus on all the rest. (But to each their own.) Here are some examples your list might include:
- Science
- History
- Poetry
- Music
- Art Study
- Foreign Language
- Copywork
- Crafts
- Nature Study
2. Decide how many of those subjects on the loop you want to aim to cover each day. Think through your homeschool day and choose a reasonable number that would function smoothly within your existing routine. (Don’t worry, you can always add or take away depending on your season of life. You are not tied to this number.)
3. Setup a time each day to accomplish your loop subjects. For example, everyday after lunch, you complete two subjects from your list. Then, the following day, you complete the next two, and so on…continually working through your list.
The best part is, if you miss your loop for the day, just pick up where you left off the next day!
Learn more about loop scheduling:
If you want to learn more about loop vs. block scheduling here is a great conversation on Pam Barnhill’s Morning Basket Podcast that really adds insight to this topic:
- Podcast: Loop Scheduling vs. Block Scheduling (Pambarnhill.com)
Benefits of the Loop Scheduling
- It’s a way to regularly cover multiple subjects areas.
- This method of scheduling makes a full load of school very manageable for families.
- Eases scheduling stress
- Breaks up the mundane.
- This method can also be used for other things like household chores, meal planning, and kids chores.
Love the binder you are using! Did you make it or buy ready-made?
Its my free Charlotte mason planner. You can find it here
This was a great post! I first heard about loop scheduling as it relates to creating a flexible cleaning schedule. I love how you outlined and explained how the idea works for homeschooling. Definitely something I would like to implement when my daughter is that age.
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