method to help them internalize the information we study; to remember
weeks and years later.
After trying several different methods, I came
to the conclusion that unit studies made the most
sense, but wondered
how I could change my way of thinking in subjects to now think in
units or
topics. I wanted to still feel in control of our schooling,
to know that we were accelerating
academically, yet allow for the unstructured-ness
of studying one topic while incorporating all
subjects. These are the
steps I took:
• Consistent Subjects - We keep some
subjects the same: math, grammar practice, Bible reading, memorization,
and art appreciation. These help me feel a semblance of continuity.
Daily we work through the math books and the rest of these subjects.
• Consistent
Times - We do our regular subjects first, then work on the unit study.
This helps me
feel like we have really done "school" so itís okay to
play. (I understand that when they are
covering Styrofoam balls with
tape and painting them to represent the planets ala Science
Pockets,
they are learning, but it seems so much like play to this textbook
mom.) We keep these
subjects at the same time each day so that we have
that continuity. We also have a time-slot
for vocabulary words. We
change the words to fit the unit.
• Flexible Ending Time
- Yes, we are consistent with the time for starting math, and our
other
subjects, but we are flexible with the time allotted or needed
for the unit study. We start at the
same time, but some days we need
just one and a half hours. Other days the children need to
finish things
up after lunch. We finish school for the morning at the same time,
and keep lunch on time, but make time in our afternoon schedule for
completing these projects. Again, this brings the feeling of continuity
to the schedule. It also helps me stay in my comfort zone.
• Textbook as Guide
- We have looked through textbooks for different grade levels, noting
what
topics are covered, and the main points. We then build unit studies
around these chapters,
incorporating projects, library books, ìreal
books,î field trips, and anything else that will further
our knowledge.
We use the textbook as the springboard, and as a resource, but not
as our only
source. Sometimes the textbooks are too dry, so we turn
to library books for the information, but the textbook serves as the
guide for our goals and sequence of learning.
• Use "Canned" Units - To wet my feet, I bought some pre-written
unit studies. Teacher Created
Materials makes numerous Thematic studies
written on many topics covering all age levels.
Science Pockets are
hands-on units on several different scientific subject-matter. These
taught
me a few tricks on planning topical studies: how to incorporate
different writing styles, using
projects and hands-on activities to
further mastery, using ìreal booksî to learn about topics,
even how
to use workbook pages effectively. Using the computer, I began to
develop my own
workbook pages for unit studies I wrote on the subjects
we wanted to study. The pre-written,
ìcannedî thematic studies helped
get me over the intimidation of doing unit studies, while
teaching
me ways to write my own. (Editorís Note: Some other great resources
are Amanda
Bennettís Unit Study Adventures series, Valerie Bendtís
How To Create Your Own Unit Studies,
The Unit Study Idea Book the Five
In A Row Series for younger children by Jane Lambert, and
Stratton
House Science Kit/Unit Studies , Castle Heights Press' One Week Off
Unit Studies,
Kathryn Stout's Design -A-Study series
• Focus on the
"Big Picture" - I use a checklist for each subject to keep me on track
and provide
me with a ìBig Picture.î This helps me plan the units we
do, and also what the goals are for each
unit. Sometimes the only goal
is to understand the topic: subject mastery. During those units,
we
focus on the projects, or information-gathering. Other times I will
incorporate language skills
that the children need to learn or work
on such as research, writing good topic or supporting
sentences, summarizing
information, or reading to comprehend.These are several resources
to
use to help in keeping the "Big Picture." Kathryn Stoutís Design-A
Study for Comprehensive
Composition and Science Scope includes checklists
for the different grade levels. Robin Scarlata
wrote What Your Child
Needs to Know When which is an evaluation checklist for grades K-8.
Worldbook
Encyclopedia has a Scope & Sequence for grades K-12. Researching
what is taught
nationwide in each subject in each grade, they made
a listing of the most common. There are
several others you could look
into, or if you feel capable, you could write your own goals for the
different
subjects.
This
is how this textbook mom acclimated herself to using unit studies.
If you have not
attempted a topical approach to learning, why not try
one for a week or a month following the
steps outlined here. You will
at least have some fond memories of learning together.
Kym Wright
is a homeschool mom and the editor of Open Arms Magazine. For more
information or
to contact her, write P.O. Box 81124, Conyers GA 30013.
How A Textbook Mom Does Unit Studies by Kym Wright
copyright May
25, 1996 The following article was published in
the magazine, The Home
Educator's Family Times, Vol. 8 No. 1.
Copyright protected. Copyright
2000.
I am a "Textbook Mom." You
know the kind: I like workbooks
and textbooks. They help me know what
to teach, when to
teach it, how to review it, and when to go on to
the next topic.
But, after observing my children, and how much they
remember
when we work with textbooks only, I have looked for a better
way.
Not just a better workbook or textbook, but a better
