We’ve used A LOT of curriculum over the years. Really good curriculum, mind you. But, when it comes to history and science in the elementary and middle school years, nothing has quite matched the success of unit studies in our homeschool.
The reasons? SO much learning can take place in a reasonable amount of time. We can read wonderful living literature, take amazing field trips, and include as many (or as few) hands-on projects as we like. We can include whatever lessons from other subjects that we like – research, writing, experiments, cooking, art, poetry – the possibilities are endless.
Unit studies can be fully planned from the beginning or flow based on students’ interests. They are wonderful to use with project-based learning. And, best of all, they can easily be used with multiple ages. In the articles that follow, you’ll find several unit study plans, how-to’s for creating your own unit studies, tutorials for project-based learning, and tips for successful interest-based studies. Have fun!
World War II was yet another touching unit in our household. We have grown to love history SO much through the use of living literature, good informational texts and projects. History was something I yawned over year after year in high school and college. I couldn’t imagine EVER liking it! It’s been a refreshing journey…
The Roaring 20’s led way to the Great Depression of the 30’s. Such a stark difference from one decade to the other. When we went through our first four-year cycle of history using The Story of the World as our main spine, I have to admit that we glossed over modern American history at the…
WWI has been richly covered and lots of wonderful projects sit in our notebooks to prove it. The School History site was invaluable for me during this unit!! You can see some of the activities we chose to use from School History below. This map shows the allies at the beginning of the war. This…
Lots of people over time have asked where I find ideas for the project choices I give my children. At this point, most of the ideas are dreamed up in my head, but it hasn’t always been that way. Some of the books I use include: Better Than Book Reports is book is full…
Here’s one more really good question that has come in regarding unit studies specifically relating to projects… “In regards to projects and presentations, how do you gently help improve the note taking, thoroughness of information and actual presentations? I know some of this will come with practice, but I’d like to improve on these things…
The beginning of our semester long unit about the 20th century is off to a great start! Besides WWI (which we’re going to do next), we have covered the main topics from 1900-1919. For now, I’m only planning one small project per section of the unit. When we get to the end, a big explosion…
A few more questions have come up regarding how I organize and plan our unit studies. You can find the first post at Unit Studies Revisited and the follow-up post at Unit Study Questions Answered. As long as you keep asking questions, I’ll keep answering. 🙂 “To clarify, it sounds like you do one unit…
Wow. Through my email, there were a lot of questions about unit studies from my original post. I’m glad because it helps me to know what needs to be clarified or expounded upon. I tried to combine all the questions into major themes which you’ll see below. Please feel free to keep asking questions, and…
It’s been well over a year since I posted anything about the nitty-gritty planning of my unit studies. I’ve had several email questions lately wondering how I plan, so I thought it might be time for a new post on the subject. The emails I’ve received have all been similar in the basic four questions…
I’ve had lots of questions about the projects we complete as part of our homeschool life. I’ve even presented a workshop specifically concerning this topic, as well as including it as a topic in my most popular workshop “Creative Homeschooling”. I’ve been wanting to write a blog post about incorporating projects into your homeschool for…
A thorough Presidents of the United States unit study can be a unique way to learn American history and geography. However, a quick study of one or more presidents can be just as great. In this mini unit study, my children completed research-based, project-based learning as they each explored the lives of five presidents and…
A solid understanding of the history of the U.S. Government, its procedures, and our rights and responsibilities as citizens is of utmost importance in the education of any resident of the United States. As homeschooling parents, we should always be sure to teach American Government thoroughly and with great care. We’re raising the next generation…
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