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The following is an archive of the question and answer message board on which Amanda Bennett was our guest. You can see more about Amanda's books at: http://www.unitstudy.com . Martha R's review of Amanda's Unit Study books is found in our Review Area. Click here.
Do kids who switch from regular
studies to unit studies usually consider them as fun? I started using them when my daughter was halfway through 4th grade and she found them to be un-school-like, she thought it was for fun. Maybe this is why she has retained so much info. I never went with straight unit studies but added them in. I am wondering if I should start my youngest with more emphasis on unit studies. Do your studies progress like other curriculums? Is there a 1st, 2nd 3rd grade progression? What would a kindergarten usually enjoy? Or should I stick with her interests? Reply from Amanda: Dear Briva, Thanks for your questions and observations. I agree, many children retain the hands-on learning experiences better than just strictly textbook studies. When I reflect back on childhood memories of school, I find that my learning memories are usually based on different activities, experiments, field trips, etc. -- less on what we memorized from texts. Unit studies allow the student to involve many more senses and thought processes, in my opinion. The children will long remember the volcano that we blew up on the dining room table, the rocketry experiments, beginning quilting adventures, meeting and talking to NASA astronauts, and much more. They remember so much more about the unit studies that we've done than any textbook efforts. My new series of unit studies has an all new format -- with daily lessons that are divided into elementary lessons and middle/upper level lessons. This makes it flexible for use with multiple grade levels. For example, at a conference last night, a mom came up and described how much they were enjoying the Christmas unit study with their six-year-old, only working on a few questions for each day. Next year, she plans on adding more items from the elementary daily lessons for Christmas, adding more with each passing year and grade. Does this make sense? Let me know if you have more questions, and thanks again for writing. Blessings, Past unit studies are what
my dear daughter retains... I always let her explore a topic, to keep her motivated, putting together my own units (very time consuming). She really enjoyed these, creating her own portfolio of what she'd learned across the curriculum. Are your studies also geared for high schoolers? I am sure she'd like to be able to do a few of your unit studies for high school. How do you recommend using
unit studies? My dear son is in the 5th grade, and we've done a few unit studies but I use them more as a supplement and they seem to take so much time out of our regular schedule that I don't feel we get everything covered that I'd like to do. Because I live in a state where I have to fulfill certain requirements by certain grade levels, is it possible/cost effective to go completely with units or is it better to continue as I have and use them as supplements - using a more "formal" curriculum to cover necessary subjects. Finally (did I mention I'm wordy? :0) ), in addition to adding math, does one also have to add a more formal grammar, spelling, and vocab - especially in the middle and high school years? Thanks for doing this for
us! Reply from Amanda: Hi Jamie! "Because I live in a state where I have to fulfill certain requirements by certain grade levels, is it possible/cost effective to go completely with units or is it better to continue as I have and use them as supplements - using a more "formal" curriculum to cover necessary subjects." First of all, it is possible to go completely with unit studies, and it is also just as acceptable to use a mix of texts and unit studies. It all depends on your educational approach and goals, and that varies from family to family and child to child. For example, I have found that some families are more comfortable sticking with a rigid textbook curriculum, and add a unit study or two throughout the year for special areas of interest, on topics like baseball or soccer or horses, for example. Then there are others that are comfortable using a unit study approach throughout the year, and adding in a math program and perhaps a grammar/writing program, depending on the student's age. There are no set "rules" for this area, and you have to find what works for your family. You mentioned that your state has specific educational requirements for certain grade levels. Many people take these requirements and include them in unit studies throughout the year. In engineering college, we used to call this approach the "give me the answer you want, and I'll come up with the problem that fits the outcome desired" approach. (smile) If you know what their expectations are, you can meet them with a textbook approach, a unit study approach, or a combination of the two. When working on a unit study, I typically try to include areas of study that fit in naturally with the topic. For example, when we worked on Thanksgiving, we covered plenty of history (European and American) and geography, but not as much science as a study on electricity. When studying oceans, we studied geography, marine biology, and explorers. If you will look at the scope and sequence of World Book or any of the curriculum publishers, you will see that many of the topics of study are repeated from year to year, and that several unit studies in a year could cover just as much material. But I need to repeat that each family needs to determine what works best with their situation and students. Unit studies can be a powerful tool for learning and instilling a thirst for knowledge in children of all ages, in my opinion. I hope that I've answered your questions. If you have other questions, post them here and I'll be back! Blessings, Posted By: Jamie And since we use a 6 marking period schedule and go pretty much year round, I think I've decided that for next year, I'm going to try and accomplish our more formal bookwork in 5 periods. Then in the sixth, we'll just do a unit study and I'll even let my son choose what it will be. Probably we'll do it in the last period. I'm done my standardized testing by then, most of the subjects are done, and if I need to finish up a little bit of math or grammar that is possible. Our days will still be a reasonable length, I will feel like I accomplished the state goals, and I will also feel like we can get accomplished every goal in our unit study. Thanks for your response
and willingness to share with us! :) Me..use a unit study? I'm terrified to go with
the unit study approach BUT very much think it is the best way to go.
It sounds wonderful but I am so insecure and do not know where to begin.
My girls are 13 and 12 years of age and we have been doing a hodgepodge
of curriculum like Bob Jones, Saxon, etc. My concern is that my 13 year
old begins high school next year and I'm afraid if I do unit studies
I won't cover what I need to. But after listening to several people
I feel convinced the girls could learn so much more by just reading
and writing. Is there any encouragement for me? Hi Tracy! Thanks for jumping in here. Unit studies can be powerful learning tools, for kids of all ages. I understand your reservations about using them -- it can be frightening to try something new and different. I would recommend that you read my response to Barbara C. below ("Hi Amanda!"), where I discuss some ideas to try for a first unit study. On my website, www.andwhatabout.com -- check out the article titled "Unit Studies 101" for some of my basic ideas for beginning unit studies. There are several articles there that might help answer some of your questions and present even more ideas. Blessings, Hi Amanda! Thanks for dropping by Homeschool Christian and letting us "pick your brain"! I have a question for you. My dear daughter is 15 (9th grade) and we have been homeschooling since 5th grade. I've often thought about doing a Unit Study. Is it too late to do one? TIA! Hi Barbara! Thanks for posting your question, and for your welcoming words. I had to smile when I read your question, because I'm still doing unit studies, and I won't TELL how old I am! Seriously, you can work on a unit study at any time, and what a great learning experience for everyone involved! If you would like to try a unit study, consider working on one over the holidays. You two can work on one about Christmas, or quilting, or dress design and sewing, and on and on. Many of us are ready to switch gears and work on a different type of study topic this time of year, and a holiday unit study can provide both learning and fun for everyone. When you think about it, we all use a basic sort of unit study approach to most of life's questions or challenges, whether it involves financing a home, a health issue, purchasing a new car, and so much more! We learn all that we can about the topic or question, collecting ideas and recommendations, talking to others, etc. It is this approach that helps us make intelligent decisions, in my opinion. Using unit studies helps our children learn this concept at an early age, igniting their inquisitiveness and imagination. And THAT'S what I consider success! I hope that this has helped with your question. If you are considering trying a unit study now, ask your daughter to come up with three things that she would like to know more about -- offer suggestions that align with her interests -- sewing, astronomy and telescopes, the fashion industry, etc. The sky is truly the limit here! Blessings, Posted By: Barbara C. I hadn't thought of using the unit study method as we research buying a new car (or a used one), researching health issues, etc. WOW! Now I realize this is something we MUST dig into. It will be a skill for life! Thanks!! Hi, I have never done a unit
study... and am interested in finding out more. I would like to work with both my children together. Ages 12 & 7, can I do this? Give me a few ideas. The both LOVE science. Thanks and Blessings Reply from Amanda: Hello Wendy! You write, "I would like to work with both my children together. Ages 12 & 7, can I do this?" Absolutely! We started using unit studies when our youngest was a new baby, and the older two (boy and girl) were 6 and 10. We had a great time, and the rest is history! We started off by studying Oceans, as we only lived 4 blocks from the ocean. Then we studied Space, since we were only 30 minutes south of Cape Canaveral. Some of the topics were Baseball/Softball, Electricity, the Olympics, Pioneers, and many more. They both enjoy science, and we have never lacked for interesting topics. Blessings, Hi, It's me again, Unit studies, we are talking about something you can purchase with all the info in it... Posted By: Wendy in La for us new homeschoolers, who is definitely not ready to make up her own work. I have never seen one so I really do not even know what comes in a unit study. Blessings, Wendy Reply from Amanda: Hi Wendy! Unit studies come in all different kinds of formats -- some include daily lessons and resources, while others are basically lists of books and study guidelines. My new studies come complete -- with daily lessons, online resources, and more. These days, there are many definitions of unit studies, and it can be very confusing at times. A unit study, by definition, is where you take a single topic (let's use Christmas as an example), and focus all learning on this topic. When studying Christmas, you could study history (Biblical history, history of the Roman Empire), geography (the Middle East and the Holy Land), art (paintings of the Nativity through the years), and much more. By focusing on just one topic, the children will make so many strong mental connections between the information bits and pieces, and develop a strong knowledge base to build upon. They aren't just memorizing the bold words in a textbook for a weekly quiz, and the information is quickly forgotten after the quiz. Unit studies do need to be supplemented with a separate math program, and possibly a writing/grammar program as the children get older. Using unit studies allows the family to follow the interests of the child, which takes something that they are already fascinated with and turns it into an adventure into many other areas of learning. We've gone from topics like trains to computers to space to Galileo to early scientists and on and on. I hope that this is helping with your questions. Keep asking! Blessings, High School Unit Studies I've started a high school 4-year unit study program (Listen My Son) with my 15 yo. While it seems good, I think it will takes 8 years to get a firm understanding of everything in it! They want us to skim through WW2 in three weeks! And the same thing with other topics. We also do Saxon math, Apologia sciences, Spanish, and some group classes (gym, speech/drama, Spanish, and chemistry right now - the chemistry is more fun than academic, though) I'm afraid this is too shallow an approach to take at this grade level. I like the program, and it should help my son gradually assume the responsibility for planning and organizing his education. How can I "beef it up" without keeping him at home for another eight years?? Reply from Amanda: Hi Cathe! Great questions. While I am not familiar with the program that you are using, I can say that you have quite a bit going on now! Is science included in Listen My Son, or is it mainly history? I like the Apologia sciences, and their high school courses are excellent. You are right -- three weeks for WWII seems too brief, in my opinion. Textbooks tend to treat history in similar abbreviated format, and it can be very frustrating for those with inquisitive minds. Is there any way to shorten some of the less-important topics so that more time can be spent on topics that you feel are more important? There must be some way to achieve a balance -- so much can be learned in high school over four years. I read about a study once, where the author proved that everything a person needs to know could be taught to them in a single year from the age of 17 to 18! (smile) I would suggest adding some great reading material on topics that you think aren't given enough time in the program. Also, keep in mind that while these four years might touch lightly on many things, college and adult life are also times for much more in-depth learning. I know that I've learned more as an adult than I ever learned in high school -- most of the learning has come from homeschooling our children!
This program (it's by Linda Bullock and is frequently compared to the Rubies curriculum for girls) claims to provide a credit of general science, but I prefer to use the Apologia, since I anticipate that he will apply for colleges some day. Thank you for your advice.
I will keep in mind that I can adjust the "size" of each topic
as we go. Reply from Amanda: Hi Cathe! I thought I'd mention that while applying for college, the only time our oldest was ever questioned about specific science course material or texts was during a scholarship interview on campus. She was accepted at several colleges and offered scholarships without anyone ever questioning course content. Homeschoolers are definitely being pursued these days by top level colleges, and rightly so! (smile) Apologia science is very thorough and gives complete treatment to each topic of their texts, in my opinion. The new CD-ROM that accompanies the texts adds a new dimension to the experience, too. Blessings, Favorite Unit Study topic? Hello all! Now, may I ask a question? Share your family's favorite unit study topic if you get a chance -- I love to hear other people's stories about the unit studies that they have developed on their own! Our favorite has probably been any topic having to do with the ocean or space -- a family of dreamers here! (smile) Jump in and join us! Reply from Briva: Posted By: Briva I was able to hunt down places
online that dear daughter could browse, I put the links in a folder
on our computer to make it handy. We found a panda cam that was cute.
Reply from Barbara C.: Re: Favorite Unit Study topic? Since I've never done a unit study, I don't have a favorite topic. HOWEVER, we are presently studying space. I have several web links and have made up worksheets to go along with them. We have hands-on projects and experiments to do also. I guess it is going alright--we just started Monday! LOL!! Thanks for coming Amanda! Barbara C. Oh, Amanda!!! When are your new unit studies coming out? I am interested in "American Government" and "Oceans". TIA! Hi Barbara! Thanks for asking about the new books! Right now, things are just a *bit* wild with the Christmas book orders. After the beginning of the year, more titles will be released. American Government and Oceans are both scheduled for release in late spring, Lord willing. I hope that this helps answer your question, and thanks for your support! Blessings, Short question . . . How many hours a day would your recommend using a unit study with children that are 8 and 10? Also, is Bible covered in the unit studies that you have designed? Can you tell I'm unit study
illiterate? Dear Crystal, Thanks for writing! First, realize that there aren't many "average" days in most homeschool households! (smile) Typically, I recommend that the time spent on unit studies can be anywhere from 2 to 4 hours in a day, and then there are other times where the investigation continues on for hours of more reading, drawing, and on and on. Unit studies provide a great tool to motivate children and help develop their curiosity and interest -- and once the mind is ignited, the fire tends to keep burning. They ask more questions, read more, and develop more self-motivation. In my new unit study series, there is a daily quote or scripture passage that relates to the day's focus for the students to copy and/or memorize. Some of the topics are completely based on the Bible, like Christmas and Easter, while others use biblical references to reinforce parts of the lesson -- like Sailing Ships or Lighthouses. Did this help with your questions? Let me know if you have others! Blessings, Crystal Thanks for letting me be
your guest! Happy Holidays to all! Thanks to everyone here for allowing me to be your special guest this week. It has been an honor and a pleasure to spend time here, responding to your questions as well as reading your ideas and suggestions. I hope that I've been able to help you all a bit, and look forward to stopping by from time to time to see how you are doing. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you've got questions. You can find me at www.unitstudy.com -- just click on the "email Amanda" link. Blessings, Reply from Mary Leggewie: Thank YOU Amanda!Posted By: Mary Leggewie Thanks for returning to us with this new format! I'm sure you've been a great inspiration to all who have visited. I'll be archiving all these posts on a new page hopefully this weekend so that all the posts will be opened up, in order, and easily readable! Thanks again! May God bless you as we celebrate our King's birth!
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