Planning for Extended School Year (ESY) can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re trying to keep things simple, engaging, and aligned with IEP goals. You want your students to keep making progress… but you also want summer to feel like summer!
That’s why I’ve rounded up 20 low-prep, high-engagement ESY lessons and activities that are perfect for the self-contained special education classroom. Whether you’re teaching for one week or the whole summer, these ideas are fun, functional, and flexible.
Let’s dive into your go-to summer toolkit for ESY!
🎨 Week 1: Summer Kickoff + Crafts
Start with seasonal, hands-on activities to set the tone!
- ☀️ Summer Book Companions
Summer Book Companions Bundle
Includes visual supports, comprehension activities, and themed crafts for books like Ice Cream Summer and There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell. - 🐠 Visual Summer Craft
July Fish Craft
A simple, visual craft with minimal prep—perfect for following directions, fine motor skills, and giving your room some seasonal flair.
🏕️ Week 2: Camping Fun
Make ESY feel like summer camp!
- 🏕️ Camping Themed Lessons
Camping Lesson Plans & Sub Plans
This set includes everything from literacy to life skills, all with a cozy camping twist. Great for routines, centers, or sub days.
🌊 Week 3: Ocean Adventures
Make waves with themed sensory play and structured learning.
- 🐬 Ocean-Themed Sub Plans
Ocean Lesson Plans
These are ideal when you need a full day of coverage or want to theme your week around the sea!
🍉 Week 4: Summer Skills
Focus on daily routines and functional tasks with a summer twist.
- 🌴 Summer Activities Mega Bundle
June–August Summer Activities Bundle
Includes morning work, sorting, vocabulary, fine motor tasks, and more—all themed for June, July, and August!
🌟 Weeks 5–8: Keep It Simple
The truth is, you don’t need 100 new ideas. You just need a simple system that works.
That’s exactly why I created the…
📘 Simple ESY Guide: Your 8-Week ESY Survival Plan
This best-selling printable guide gives you:
- 8 full weeks of structured ESY lesson plans
- Weekly themes, IEP goal alignment, and visual supports
- Functional activities and easy prep
- Built-in routine and flexibility for mixed-level groups
Whether you’re new to teaching ESY or just want to avoid the last-minute scramble, the Simple ESY Guide has everything you need to make your summer smooth and successful.
ESY doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right mix of visual supports, themed lessons, and flexible routines, you can keep students engaged while still enjoying your summer vibe.
✨ Need everything in one place?
Comment ESY or grab the full guide here: Simple ESY 8-Week Guide
You’ve got this!
