Do you use unit studies in your homeschool? I do! Unit studies are a great way to give you and your children a break from your normal daily schedule. It brings an element of excitement that could revive a sluggish school year.
What is a unit study? You may know or be asking this question? It’s basically curriculum that follows a specific theme. Any theme is acceptable and can be as general as animals or as specific as spiders in the rainforest. There’s so many freedoms here. All the subjects you cover will be birthed out of this theme. Unit studies can last a few weeks or can be done on a long term basis. You can use them in whatever way fits your homeschool best.
As we charge into December, our homeschool will begin what may become an annual event. We will begin a 3-4 week long unit study. I use unit studies twice a year to teach Science and Social Studies. Yes you heard me correctly. I only teach Science and Social studies twice a year.
SC law states that in order to homeschool under the third option “the curriculum includes, but is not limited to, the basic instructional areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, and in grades seven through twelve, composition and literature” (1). State law tells us we must teach these subjects, but it doesn’t specify how or when we must teach them. You can teach them every day or once a year. You decide.
For our family, it works best if we take subjects like Science and Social Studies and complete them in one chunk instead of lots of small lessons. So beginning this week, we will tackle both subjects in a unit study that connects the two. We will be studying Zoology and Geography. Fancy way to say we’ll learn about land masses and animals.
We’ll take a few days to study maps, continents, and major world habitats. This study of habitats will lead us into a study of the animals that live in those habitats. We have weeks full of projects, videos, and books all which will guide us into a deeper understanding of the world around us. We’ll kill two birds with one stone all while enjoying a break from our normal homeschool day.
Now I’m sure to include daily reading, writing, and math. Reading and writing content will come from our unit study. Math will continue from our regular curriculum. Your unit study could incorporate every subject or only a few. It’s your choice.
By the end of December, we will have learned lots of information, had several experiences, and established memories to include in our portfolio at the end of the year. Our unit study will be a great time of learning for us.
So if you have tried unit studies, you know how much fun they can be for your family. If you have not, get more informed and try it out. You will be surprised just how much you guys will benefit from it.
- “SC Code of Law 59-65” https://ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/state-accountability/home-schooling/sc-code-of-law-59-65/
Naja Coles
I’m most importantly a follower of Christ by who’s blood we believe there is salvation. We believe in biblical Truth only. Being led by the Spirit of God, we seek to raise our family by that Truth. I am a wife of 7 years, and mom to 8 wonderful children ages 6 years-11 months. We have been homeschooling for 2 years officially (6 if you include preschool). I enjoy music, gardening, and learning to live a healthy, non-toxic lifestyle.
Matthew 4:17