Dishing up grub for the boys Little House on the Prairie style!
In an effort to stop filling pails, I decided to do something I have NEVER done. That’s right, in 9 years of homeschooling I have NEVER done a unit study.
I can hear the gasps all throughout cyberspace!
Oh sure, I’ve done a lot of delight-directed learning, but no full-blown unit studies…EVER.
And even now, the unit studies we are doing are not our only curriculum.
And I am tweaking.
A lot.
Now, I mentioned I was adding in unit studies because I didn’t want to just be filling pails this year. So, how do unit studies accomplish this goal? For me, it was a matter of taking something my children were already interested in and finding a unit study to match. For my 10 year old, that was the Horses study from Beautiful Feet. For my littles, it was the Prairie Primer and a few extras to go along with it (more on that in a moment).
Since these unit studies are not my regular curriculum, I’ve had to find a way to mix them in without taking up massive amounts of time and detracting from the more traditional curriculum we are using.
Here are my tips for adding the spice of unit studies into your homeschool day without adding stress as well…
1. Don’t make it your core curriculum. If you already have a curriculum that works for you, stick with it. Unit studies do not have to be used as a stand-alone curriculum to be effective.
2. Don’t feel obligated to do it. Since it isn’t your traditional curriculum, there is no reason you have to do it every single day.
3. Use it as a reward. If the children get all their work done, THEN you pull out the unit study!
Creating a lapbooking binder from A Journey Through Learning - Click on the photo to learn more!
4. Pick a day of the week as Unit Study Day. Make sure that day isn’t an exceptionally busy one for your family as unit studies do typically take a mama who is on top of her game.
5. Keep unit studies on hand for days you don’t want to do the traditional curriculum. Some days you need a change of pace. Those days are when unit studies come in really handy.
6. Use as a supplement to your core curriculum. Take a little more time with your core curriculum and dig a little deeper with a unit study on the very subject you are teaching.
Archeaology dig to go along with our ancient history studies.
7. Use as an independent study for older children. This is how we are doing the horse unit study. Megan is going through it on her own and enjoying it immensely!
8. Don’t expect perfection. This isn’t about having a picture perfect unit study moment or having everything on the resource list on hand so you get it just right. It’s about slowing down and taking time and enjoying your homeschooling years.
- Washing clothes using a cooling rack for a washboard!
9. Tweak to fit your needs. We tweak everything and unit studies are no exception. The Prairie Primer is written for older children than the ones I am using it with, but we are doing what activities we can and leaving the rest for another time. With the Prairie Primer lapbook binder from A Journey Through Learning, we are including the entire family in the making of one binder, rather than each child making their own binder. So tweak away…it IS allowed!
10. Get dad in on the action! After hours homeschooling are often some of the best memories for children. Sometimes it is difficult to get dad involved, but many unit studies are great for getting dads engrossed in all that is going on and participating in the teaching.
- Daddy teaching the boys about old guns and gun safety.
11. In fact, why not include the entire family!?! Unit studies can be great fun for all ages. Not everyone is going to appreciate the “lecture” part of a unit study, but everyone is thrilled to participate in the fun activities that go along with it!
Even Garin got to dig!
Here are the Unit Study resources we are currently using:
abba12 says
I know one family who did unit studies the last week of each month, along with math, but no other curriculum for that week.
I think they’re a fabulous way to get dads involved!
P says
This is a great way to include a topic of interest of my children without getting off track.
I wanted to share a link with you. I like the resources they offer and many could be used as a unit study. And the offers are free!
http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com
Sorry if this sounds like spam. I just really love that site and find so many fun things with it.
CW says
It looks like ya’ll are having a great time with the Prairie Primer. We used it two years ago and loved the stories and activities.
Our experience was different. I was trying to do both traditional lessons and the unit study, but we were getting frustrated. I finally had to let go of the traditional lessons and make our unit study the main thing. I was worried that the kids would miss learning something with the unit study, but they’ve done great. And we’ve had more fun.
Thanks for sharing your good ideas and for listening to our story.
Wendy Gunn says
Loved this post, Amy! I am amazed that this was your first unit study. For us, they were the best part of our Homeschool. They built memories, involved Dad and the whole family, and were what we remember. They do take more involvement from everyone, but they do draw the family together. I love that they bring Dad in to the mix. When we used Unit Studies, my husband became much more involved in our schooling and that’s when he started taking “ownership” and even promoting Homeschooling to others. He would excitedly start describing the Unit Study we were doing–it was amazing! That validated Homeschooling to others, especially extended family and other dads.
Glad we have tweaking in common:) Tweaking is my middle name! You can get all you can out of your Homeschooling by tweaking it to fit your individual needs and interests.
Your unit study looked so fun–thanks so much for sharing.
Wendy Gunn
Donielle Schipper says
Awesome suggestions! I love it!
We are also attempting a VERY modified form of unit studies this year with my younger boys. Like you I’m tweaking a lot. In fact I don’t even use a “unit study” curriculum. I’m using traditional curriculum, but involving all the younger boys in the questions. The 2nd grader has to write the answers, while the younger two just answer orally. It’s great fun involving all three together. Makes me feel more like a family! 🙂
Julie says
Thanks for this post! I am trying to balance out all our curriculum and unit studies and yes, I am frustrated. I want to do it all, lol! We just spent a week at the beach and I have 3 different studies to do {Oceans, Dolphins, Seashells} plus since it’s almost fall, I want to do some seasonal ones too….argh! I know I need to scale back…decisions, decisions. Thanks again for showing us how your family handles it!
Renee says
LOVE love love all your advices here, and may I add that I absolutely love that cute bonnet 🙂
Melisssa Howard says
Thanks for the very helpful ideas.
Kimberly says
Great thoughts!
Alana says
Need a pig bladder? 😉
Amy says
Bahahaha! Um…no. 😉
Jordin says
Almost every time I read your blog, I have to keep adding “future” ideas to my notebook! You’re filling up my pages!!!
My boys are only 3 and 2, so we have a little while to go, but the way you homeschool really appeals to me. Thank you for ALL of the practical advice. I really appreciate the insight God gives to you.
Amy says
Thanks for such sweet words! That is so encouraging! 🙂
Teresa says
This is also our first real year doing unit studies with our regular school. We would do unit studies before, but only in summer or on breaks. It has been a great motivator,the kids know we don’t do them unless the other school work is done.
We try to finish our year by the first of April and take a vacation that is history filled. This year we are going to Boston, New York and DC. Kids learn so much more by doing and seeing than simply reading.
Amy says
Oh, how exciting! I love hands-on learning and being in the places you are learning about 🙂
Shelly says
Hi — I am looking at both of these unit studies. It is encouraging to see that you all enjoyed them! Did you combine the two — tying BF Horse study into Little House or keep them separate?
Amy says
My 10 yo hasn’t been as intrigued by the Little House unit study, so she is working on the horse unit separately.
Andrea @ No Doubt Learning says
Do you know I’ve never read (or even watched) Little House on the Prairie? Do you think it’s something a 5 year old would enjoy – or should I wait until older to read it with her?
Amy says
My 6 and 7 year old LOVE the books! I would definitely give it a try. 🙂