If you’re teaching Extended School Year (ESY) this summer, you know how important it is to strike the right balance: keep learning structured, keep it fun, and keep it low-stress for both you and your students.
But let’s be real—creating consistent routines, meaningful lessons, and differentiated activities for the summer months can feel overwhelming, especially after a full school year.
That’s exactly why I revamped one of my most popular bundles: a complete set of Extended School Year Special Education Activities designed to take the guesswork out of summer planning. Whether you’re new to teaching ESY or a seasoned pro, this resource can help you focus on what matters most—supporting your students through a summer of growth.
Why ESY Matters (And Why Structure Still Counts)
Extended School Year isn’t just extra time. It’s critical learning time for students who need continued access to services to maintain skills, especially when regression is a concern.
However, ESY also comes with unique challenges:
• Shorter timeframes
• Smaller groups
• Staff that rotates or overlaps
• And let’s not forget—students running on summer brain
This means what works in April won’t always work in July. The key? Having a flexible plan that keeps things light but purposeful. That’s where a pre-built, low-prep bundle of Extended School Year Special Education Activities comes in handy.
What’s Included in the Summer ESY Bundle?
To make your summer session smoother, this bundle is broken into four themed weeks, each with five days of planned activities. That’s 20 days of structured instruction—already mapped out for you.
Each week includes:
✅ Literacy Activities – CVC practice, sight words, adapted books
✅ Math Practice – Addition, graphing, tallying, counting, skip counting
✅ Science/Social Studies – Ocean habitats, sink/float, community helpers
✅ Fine Motor & Art – Dough mats, coloring pages, themed cut-and-paste
✅ Review Fridays – A mix of assessments and fun with a Beach Escape Room as the grand finale!
There are also built-in visuals and editable elements so you can customize it for your students’ needs. Whether you’re working with Pre-K, K-3, or mixed-ability self-contained groups, these activities are easy to adapt.
Why Teachers Love This Resource
Let’s be honest—by June, most of us are running on fumes. Having to piece together materials for ESY on top of wrapping up IEP meetings, progress reports, and classroom cleanup? No thank you.
Teachers who’ve used the Extended School Year Special Education Activities bundle consistently say it helped them feel prepared and actually excited about summer teaching.
They love that it’s:
✔️ Aligned with IEP goals
✔️ Easy to implement with paras or subs
✔️ Clear and visual for students who thrive on structure
✔️ Flexible for whole group, centers, or 1:1
Plus, it includes a pacing guide that breaks down what to teach each day, so you’re never left asking “What should we do next?”
Real-Life Benefits for Your Classroom
Still not sure if it’s right for you? Let’s break it down with a few real-life wins from teachers just like you:
1. No More Last-Minute Planning
Instead of scrambling on Sunday night, you’ll know exactly what’s coming Monday morning. The bundle is broken down into digestible daily plans, so you can open and go.
2. Supports Communication & Behavior
Many of the activities include embedded visuals and social language practice. This is ideal for students using AAC or with communication goals.
3. Keeps Students Engaged
Themed weeks like “Beach Week” and “Helpers in the Community” keep kids curious and invested. Plus, review days let them revisit favorite skills in new ways.
4. Built-In Flexibility
Whether you have 3 students or 10, whether you’re in-person or using some digital tools .This bundle is adaptable and won’t leave you high and dry.
Long-Term Gains for You & Your Students
Using ready-made Extended School Year Special Education Activities doesn’t just save you time—it builds consistency across environments. The structure, repetition, and pacing help prevent regression and promote independence.
Meanwhile, you get to focus more on student interaction and less on paper piles.
Your students benefit from routines they recognize and tasks that grow with them. You benefit from a plan that respects your time and energy.
Ready to Make This Summer Your Easiest One Yet?
If you’re teaching ESY this year and want to show up confident, calm, and fully prepped—this bundle is for you.
You’ve done enough this year. Let this resource do some of the work for you.
👉 Grab the full 20-day ESY Summer Unit here: [Insert TpT product link]
Your future self will thank you. Your students will thrive.
And yes—summer learning can be simple, structured, and fun.
