Extended School Year (ESY) is just around the corner—and while it may be shorter than the regular school year, it can come with its own set of challenges for special educators.
Whether you’re teaching ESY for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, prepping ahead can make your summer smoother, more structured, and a whole lot less stressful. In this post, I’m sharing my favorite ESY prep tips—plus a free printable checklist set to help you stay organized.
🏖️ What Makes ESY Different?
ESY isn’t summer school. It’s designed to help students with IEPs maintain critical skills and prevent regression during the long summer break. That means your focus will likely shift to:
- Fewer students
- Mixed ability levels
- Shorter sessions
- More targeted instruction
- Limited access to your usual classroom tools
Because of this, simple routines, flexible planning, and strong visual supports are key.
✅ ESY Prep Tips for Special Education Teachers
1. Stick with Structure
Even in a more relaxed summer setting, structure is everything—especially for students who thrive on routine. Set up a clear visual schedule, consistent transition cues, and repeatable daily activities. The more predictable it is, the smoother it will run.
2. Build Around IEP Goals
Your instruction should center on maintaining progress in key areas from each student’s IEP. Use simple, targeted activities like file folders, task boxes, or adapted books that align with those goals.
💡 Pro tip: Create a goal-at-a-glance sheet for each student to keep handy while planning.
3. Prep Your Behavior Supports Early
Have your break cards, token boards, visual reminders, and calming strategies ready to go. These supports are often the difference between a successful day and a stressful one—especially when you’re working with students you may not know well.
4. Keep It Low-Prep and Flexible
ESY can change fast—rosters shift, paras may be new, and time is tight. Focus on activities that are easy to reuse, adapt, and organize. Errorless file folders, matching tasks, and simple communication visuals are lifesavers.
📋 Free Resource: ESY Planning Checklists
To help you get started, I created a FREE set of ESY planning checklists just for special educators. Inside, you’ll find:
- ✅ A teacher prep checklist
- ✅ A folder prep checklist
🎁 Click here to download your free ESY checklists!
💬 Final Thoughts
ESY may feel overwhelming at first—but with a little prep and the right tools, you can create a calm, productive summer experience for you and your students.
Let me know in the comments: Are you teaching ESY this year? What’s one thing you always prep ahead?
And if you need ready-to-go materials for ESY instruction, behavior support, or visuals—take a peek at my Special Education Clubhouse resources over on TPT. I’ve got you covered!
