Use this guide to help you design a unit study or to add resources to unit studies you already own. Using a unit study is a dynamic way to dive deep into a particular subject allowing for an immersive learning experience. Read to the end and download my free Create Your Own Unit Study Workbook.
What is a Unit Study?
We love unit studies in our house and have used many over the years:
A unit study is an educational approach that focuses on a specific topic, theme, or subject area, integrating various subjects like math, science, history, and language arts into a cohesive learning experience. Instead of teaching each subject separately, a unit study allows students to explore a topic in depth, making connections across different disciplines.
In other words a unit study is an in-depth exploration of a single topic that integrates multiple subjects.
For example, a unit study on “The Solar System” might include:
- Science: Learning about the planets and stars.
- History: Studying the history of space exploration.
- Language Arts: Writing creative stories about space.
- Art: Creating models or drawings of planets and the solar system.
There are so many amazing topics you can use when designing and creating a unit study. Check out my list of ideas for unit studies for Home Educators to get you started.
The Benefits of Using Unit Studies
Unit studies offer several benefits in home education, beginning with increased engagement and motivation by focusing on topics that genuinely interest your children. When children are excited about a subject, they are more likely to enjoy their learning.
Unit Studies promote integrated learning, showing how different subjects connect in a holistic way. The flexibility of unit studies allows home educators to tailor lessons to their child’s unique learning style, pace, and interests.
Additionally, unit studies provide the opportunity for a deeper understanding of a topic, allowing children to explore it in detail rather than just skimming the surface. As they dive into the material, they also develop skills such as researching, creativity, problem-solving, and analytical thinking and gathering and presenting information in ways meaningful to them.
Design A Unit Study
There are so many unit studies you can purchase or even download for free; such as my colours unit study. However, sometimes even with so much on offer you will not be able to find a unit study that meets your particular needs and will want to design and create your own.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide along with relevant questions to guide you through the process of creating your own unit study. If you would prefer these questions in a pdf download or printable then sign up for my free create your own unit study workbook at the bottom of this post.
1. Choose a Theme or Topic
The first step in creating a unit study is choosing the theme or topic. If you don’t already have an idea in mind you can start with what topics or subjects ignite curiosity and passion in your children. How can you connect the chosen theme to real-world applications or interests?
2. Define Learning Objectives
Have a think about what specific knowledge or skills you want your children to gain from the unit study. Whether you want them to be able to discuss an ancient civilization or be able to write a book report this is the time to list those learning objectives.
3. Gather Resources
When gathering resources look firstly at what you already own and what you can use for free from the library or other establishments like the local museum. What supplies, books, articles, videos, or online resources align with your chosen theme? Have a think about how you can incorporate both physical and digital resources.
4. Cross Curricular Connections
Once you have your chosen topic and the learning objectives defined you can have a think about any interdisciplinary connections that can enhance the learning experience. How can you incorporate history and geography, art and music into your unit study? For example when we were learning about The Water Cycle we integrated art by creating a water cycle bracelet.
5. Brainstorm Hands-on Activities
What hands-on projects, experiments, recipes or field trips can bring the theme to life? How can you incorporate activities that cater to visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, and reading/writing learners? Think about the types of activities that firstly you are happy to set up or facilitate and secondly that your children will enjoy. The reason I mention that you need to be happy is that if you choose a messy experiment and then feel annoyed that the kitchen has been messed up that defeats the point of the activity.
6. Create a Timeline / Schedule
What is the ideal timeframe for the unit study, considering the depth of exploration and available resources? Think about whether you want a loose timeframe, i.e. 2 hours per week for 6 weeks or if you want a more explicit daily timetable. If you are going down the structured approach then you may want to consider creating a lesson plan for each learning day.
7. Select Relevant Literature / Read Alouds
Having at least one book to read aloud from or to assign reading from can be very helpful, especially if the book is engaging and encourages your children to further explore the unit study topic. A great site for finding books recommended by topic is Books For Topics. Choosing an audio book is also a great way to give your voice a rest while still enjoying great literature.
8. Organise Your Brain Storming
Now that you have listed your supplies, books, websites, movies and all your hands-on activities and field trips as well as your read alouds and assigned reading its time to organise all those resources so you can plan when to use them. Separate the lists into groups such as books and read alouds, documentaries and educational videos, movies and games, hands-on activities and printables, websites and apps, field trips and community events and any other useful resources, supplies and materials.
9. Add in Something Special
The benefit to creating your own unit study is that you get to tailor it to your family, location and community. Have a think about whether there are opportunities for collaboration and peer-to-peer learning? Can you identify any local or online experts in this field? Are there any learning spaces you would like to set up or local areas such as forests or beaches you could use for an outdoor learning day? Let your children think about what they would like to add to the unit study.
10. Additional Notes
When you have completed your unit study you might like to encourage your children to reflect on their learning and insights throughout and provide them the opportunity for feedback to help you improve future unit studies.
Also consider how you may celebrate completing the unit study; How can you showcase and celebrate their accomplishment? Are there opportunities for presentations or creative displays if that is something your children would enjoy? Perhaps for your family it is enought to simply display any workpieces in the family living area.
Create Your Own Unit Study Workbook
I hope these questions, tips and prompts will prove helpful when it comes to creating your own unit study but if you would prefer a more detailed workbook to guide you through creating your own unit studies with integrated links to examples and templates for scheduling and organising then I have the perfect freebie for you!
This workbook is designed to help you take practical steps in planning engaging, flexible, and meaningful unit studies that cater to your children’s interests, learning styles, and academic goals. Each exercise in this journal will guide you through the process of brainstorming, organising, and refining your unit study, allowing you to create a personalised educational experience that works for your family.
By the end of the workbook, you’ll have a fully developed unit study ready to implement.
Example Unit Studies
Here is a selection of unit studies we have completed over the years, Why not have a look through and jot down some ideas:
BIRDS UNIT STUDY
WATER CYCLE UNIT STUDY
FROGS UNIT STUDY
COLOURS UNIT STUDY
SHAPES UNIT STUDY
SCOTLAND UNIT STUDY
Let me know what unit study you will be creating first in the comments.
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