By: Arthur Hall
Submitted: 2010-11-23 20:25:02 | Word Count: 831
Homeschooling families who use unit studies have many options for topics, publishers, resources, depth, and time required. Typically unit studies are designed for specific durations, such as 4 or 8 weeks. Some unit studies can be as short as one week, depending upon the topic.
Topics for Homeschool Studies
The topics for unit studies can range from those with roots in science, geography and history, to courses studying hobbies such as scrapbooking or stamp collecting. The chosen topic is then related in various ways to major academic subjects.
Amanda Bennett of AABennett Books, Inc. is one author of homeschool unit study resources. In her unit study Horses, Bennett has students cover a wide variety of skills.
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The items studied in Bennett’s lessons include vocabulary words, historical uses of horses, scientific anatomy, and handwriting practice. A biblical approach is taken and the student also incorporates quotations from the Bible. Research skills are also practiced and reading outside sources is a large component of the unit.
As in many unit studies, especially for the older grades, homeschooling parents supplement the study with other courses such as mathematics, physical education, and more. Extra projects developed by the family or included in a unit study purchase can also be incorporated to enhance the learning.
Advantages to Using Unit Studies With Children at Varying Grade Levels
Unit studies allow for homeschool parents to teach children at various grade levels with some degree of continuity. Each child might use a different mathematics program, but then come together for reading time on the unit study topic.
The children could have different vocabulary and spelling words based on grade level while still being able to converse about the topic and have opportunities to learn from each other. Family projects can be incorporated in the unit studies as a way for each child to contribute what he or she has learned on the topic.
The unit study approach also makes it easier for homeschool parents to plan field trips and utilize outside resources. Reading books together, watching educational movies, and visiting museums are all activities homeschool families can share and find relevant when using unit studies.
Disadvantages to Using Unit Studies in the Homeschool
Unit studies are not the answer for every family, and parents need to evaluate the benefits and disadvantages to each learning approach. Certain unit study topics, such as horses, might not elicit the same interest level for each child. If the interest level is low, it might not be advantageous to use this method since that low interest level can then be present in multiple subjects.
The use of unit studies also either requires the purchasing of the package, the researching and evaluating of free products, or the creation of the plan by the parent. Each option has its own costs involved, either monetary or time.
Homeschoolers may also find that the unit study approach means too much jumping around from topics and methodologies. Unit studies are not typically neat curriculum packages, but instead grow far beyond the realm of the bookshelf.
Suppliers and Publishers
Comprehensive unit study suppliers include Konos, Five in a Row, and Tapestry of Grace. CurrClick is an online retailer specializing in unit studies. These are units that are sold in PDF format and are downloaded for use. Some publishers offer studies with both print and PDF versions. In general PDF versions are cheaper to purchase, but there is the cost of printing needed items to be considered.
Creating Homeschool Unit Studies
Families who use the unit study approach can create their own packages. A topic is chosen and then viewed from different points of view, much like looking through various lenses. If one wants to study birds, the scientific goal might be to learn anatomy and breeding habits. The geography focus could come from tracking migration patterns and using maps skills. Language arts might involve a research paper on endangered species (which also brings science back into the mix).
Homeschool unit studies can also be found free online at various sites. One method is to combine pieces from various unit study sources on one specific topic, choosing those that suit the family best. Libraries also have resources, such as the Mailbox series, from which unit studies can be drawn.
Compiling Unit Studies and Recording Outcomes in the Homeschool
Unit studies can create extra paperwork and projects by the students. Homeschool families who use unit studies can compile that information into binders and create their own finished products. Having an end goal of getting the majority of the records into the binder can aid in the planning process. The completed binder serves as a way to track topics and progress over the course of the year.
Unit studies can give variety to homeschooling families and allow them to learn together. While there are many vendors and suppliers of these packages, there are also numerous free options. Homeschool families can use one unit study of 2 weeks in length just once a year or integrate the method into the entire curriculum plan and use them continuously.
