Home School Unit Study Approach

The Home school Unit Study Approach is a way to study a particular topic, theme, character trait or project in an integrated way.

You may choose a

Science topic:
• Flight


Historical character:
• Alexander the Great


Historical time period or war:
• World War 1


Bible Theme:
• the Judges


Character Trait:
• Kindness, Generosity, Patience and so on.

This topic can then be studied for a period of time covering a wide range of subject disciplines. The topic can incorporate language arts, maths, science, history, art, craft, handcrafts, drama, physical education, nature, fine arts and whatever area the topic can be successfully applied to. Here's some unit study Ideas

Questions may be helpful to Brainstorm your home school unity study topic.

The home school unit study approach is a very hands-on, fun approach to learning and absorbs so much of the child’s interest and experience that learning becomes real and a part of their life. Learning which is acquired in this way, especially since it is so concrete, and inter-related, is often retained far better than if the same information were just read from a book.

It is an approach which suits families with a variety of age groups, since activities can easily be tailored to suit the age.

Unit studies will mostly require more time to prepare, depending on the complexity of the topic and the activities. However, this can be part of the experience of learning.

Even if you did not use the homeschool unity study approach for your child’s entire education, it can be a useful tool to use to study a particular interest, or focus on a character trait which needs particular attention at that time.

Using home school unit studies can also allow the children to be actively involved in pursuing an interest, researching, and choosing appropriate projects which relate to the topic being studied.

Unit studies also allow your child to shine in their own particular field. When a certain topic is studied, they may choose a particular activity which suits their character and allows them to present their learning in their own unique way. Perhaps they will draw or make a period costume as an expression of reading about a particular time period. They may choose to make a model, do a drawing, paint, make a lap-book, cook, write, or make a power point presentation.

We have used homeschooling unit studies in our children’s education. From our understanding of God’s world, we know that life is inter-related. All of life is Education and to educate is to see the way in which God’s world is inter-related. It is a rich experience to study a topic so well that you live it, enjoy it, taste it, hear the sounds, and soak in the atmosphere enough to articulate all that you have learned and enjoyed in a written and oral way. This is the possibility of the homeschool unit study approach.

Positives

• Fun and engaging,
• Interest driven.
• Suits variety of ages- good for families.
• Can be developed to suit the individual child.
• A way of integrating their learning.
• Hands-on-projects.
• Can suit a range of learning styles.
• Requires and encourages research skills.

Negatives

• Can take a lot of time to prepare.
• Requires a great deal of parent involvement (is this negative or positive?)
• Requires research if you prepare one yourself.

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Where to from here?

Let's explore the A, B and C of the Home school Unit Study Approach.

• Articles and web Addresses
• Books
• Curriculum
  • Read about Amanda Bennett's Unit Studies

How would I design my own unit study?

Design Your Home school Unit Study Approach

Return to The Approaches

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