All About Unit Studies
One of my favorite ways to dive into learning in our homeschool is with unit studies. I love the rabbit holes that we follow and the discoveries we make. Often when talking with new homeschooling parents and other people they have no idea what they are and when they discover what they are how to get started. So as it’s one of our favorite ways to learn I thought it was a good idea to explain all about them so here we go our guide to unit studies for home educators.
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What is a Unit Study?
A unit study is topic-based, it can be on anything that your child and you want to discover and learn more about.
From Antarctica to Zoos and everything in between you can create your own unit studies and find many on the internet. We have done unit studies inspired by periods of history, animals, geographical features, art movements, and loads more.
What Forms a Unit Study?
As a family we draw from lots of different areas, reading around the subject, looking at science, history, nature, geography, art, STEM, and music to get deeper. Where we can we involve math and grammar work we do but it doesn’t always fit in well so we tend to keep those as separate subjects most of the time.
How to Start Learning with Unit Studies?
The first unit study we did was one that my daughter had been expressing an interest in for a while, she wanted to know more about volcanoes. So over a weekend I gathered everything together and planned the volcano unit study that would provide starting points for us and see where it leads.
That is one of the best things about them, you can have things as starting points and as you explore the subject in more depth you head down more and more rabbit holes and learn a lot.
What do you need for a Unit Study?
The resources you need for a unit study vary depending on the study but, BOOKS are one of our main items.
We mix fiction and non-fiction, and if possible try and include a classic piece of literature as an audiobook.
I’ve found audible is great for this but also we use our library’s audiobook app and collections.
Even my tweens love to browse good picture books and find them full of information.
Field Trips and Outdoor Activities
Where possible we do try and get out on a field trip as part of the unit study. Some units we’ve been unable to because of where we live. Instead, we have done virtual field trips around the world.
Field trips can be as simple as visiting a habitat for a unit study on owls for example where we headed to an area we knew that Barn Owls had been seen for a habitat study, or a museum to see Ancient Egyptian mummies.
Check out our top tips for practical and field trips for geography unit studies here!
Where Evidence is Needed for Unit Studies!
Depending on where you live you may need to provide evidence of the learning for your child, or you may just like to collect evidence of learning. Of course, as home-educating parents, we know that learning happens all the time, but sometimes it’s needed.
I’ve found that throughout the unit study we tend to have pieces of artwork, projects in progress, writing going on, and more that I package together in a file folder and store.
But at the end of the study, I like to pull it all together and we have produced PowerPoints, lapbooks, posters, presentations to other family members, and even a mini video for one.
Using ways to round up the units means that we can all see where the learning took place and if any new questions, topics, or ideas for future study arise.
How to Plan your Own Unit Studies!
As well as the unit study plans I’m going to share here on Rainy Day Homeschooling I’ll also write a piece (or add to this one) about how I actually go through the process of planning from start to finish so keep an eye out for that.
Unit Studies Here on Rainy Day Homeschooling
Here are our Unit Studies
Exploring the World and Beyond
Amazon Rainforest
The Earth in Space
Learn all about the Earth and its relationship to space and the planets, satellites and more with our The Earth in Space Unit Study.
Seasonal Unit Studies
Unit studies can be inspired by anything and the seasons, equinoxes and solstices inspired us throughout the years. Check out these below:
Summer Solstice
A short summer Unit Study to explore the Summer Solstice with science, maths, language arts, history, geography, music and art!
History-Based Unit Studies
We love learning about history and from the years of home education I have a number of unit studies. Explore Ancient Civilizations, learn about explorers and more modern history with these.
The Ancient Maya of Mesoamerica Unit Study
Explore the wonders of the Ancient Maya, learn about this great civilization that were great astronomers, amazing mathematicians and built city states that are astonishing. Learn how they lived, died and even how to make some of the food and drinks from their history. Full Ancient Maya Unit Study and Book Recommendations for Kids.
