Search Results for: unit study

Introduction to the Unit Study Approach

by THSM Contributor

Unit studies, sometimes called thematic units or integrated studies, are very popular with homeschoolers. Unit studies usually use a hands-on approach for effective learning. The child learns by actually experiencing or discovering through different methods and activities, rather than just reading a chapter from a textbook. Studies show that children using unit-study methods retain 45% more than those using a traditional approach. Continue reading »

Elections Unit Study / Notebooking Unit (FREE)

by Mary Ann Kelley

Every November political candidates take to the airwaves, plan town hall meetings, and go door to door looking for votes. The Elections A to Z Unit Study looks at the history of elections and how they work in the United States. Using online resources to complete the unit, students will research the election process and learn what a privilege it is to vote for our political leaders. Continue reading »

“We Salute You, Mr. President” President Unit Study (FREE)

by Mary Ann Kelley

We Salute You, Mr. President is a notebooking unit that can be used to research and report on the president(s) of your choice. The blank template includes a variety of historical, professional, and fun facts to learn about a president. Continue reading »

Ideas for Creating a Pet Unit Study

by Jeanne Faulconer

Jeanne Faulconer

Your dog, cat, bird, fish, ferret, hamster, or lizard may be a unit study waiting to happen. Many children are fascinated by domestic animals, and their strong interest will motivate them to read, write, solve problems, and create projects. Here are some ideas for developing a unit study around our pets. Continue reading »

US Constitution Unit Study

by Mary Ann Kelley

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” So begins the Constitution of the United States of America. This notebooking unit introduces the document, the Republic, and the day chosen to honor our Constitution. Continue reading »

Unit Studies

by Mary Ann Kelley

Unit studies are a popular homeschooling method because they can be hands-on, literature-based, or even geared towards the Charlotte Mason method. Unit Studies typically encompass all of the scholastic subjects through the study of one topic (Weaver units or KONOS character units, for example), although they can be specific to a specific subject (like Evan-Moor science units or Teacher Created Materials units). Since it is easier to teach different ages the same topics with multi-level unit studies, they are popular among homeschoolers wanting to keep all of their children on similar topics at the same time. Continue reading »

All About the Presidents Unit Study (FREE)

by Mary Ann Kelley

All About Presidents is a notebooking unit that can be used to research and report on the office of the President of the United States. TheHomeSchoolMom’s US Presidents and Office of the President of the United States pages contain links to the resources needed to complete this unit. Continue reading »

Unit Studies

by Mary Ann Kelley

Helpful resources for unit studies, free unit downloads, resources for books in Five in a Row, and more Continue reading »

Using Current Events & the U.S. Presidency as a Unit Study

by Jeanne Faulconer

Jeanne Faulconer

Are you homeschooling the presidency? No matter our political views, there are issues brought up by the current presidency that our children can learn from. As homeschoolers, we can help them learn about government through most of their homeschooling years, even without an official course. Continue reading »

Subscriber Downloads

by Mary Ann Kelley

We have created these quality workbooks and unit studies exclusively for our newsletter subscribers. From our financial workbooks for teens to our notebooking units for middle grades, you can’t buy these exclusive downloads. SUBSCRIBERS: As a newsletter subscriber, you have access to all of the homeschool downloads listed below – just enter your subscribed email Continue reading »

Martin Luther King, Jr. Unit Study

by Mary Ann Kelley

The period during which civil rights were at the forefront of American news was tumultuous, often violent, and at once divisive and uniting. One name is associated with this time more than any other: Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence as applied in the Civil Rights Movement led to permanent change in American laws and, more slowly, people’s attitudes. Using online resources to complete the unit, students will research the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his impact on society. Continue reading »

Pi Day Unit Study

by Mary Ann Kelley

Learn all about Pi and why it is important (and fun!). Continue reading »

20 Topics for a Nutrition Unit Study

by Jeanne Faulconer

Jeanne Faulconer

Nutrition is an ideal homeschooling topic for the 10 – 14 year olds in your family or homeschool co-op. These middle years are an excellent time to go into more depth about what we eat and how it affects our health and growth. Tweens and early teens are especially interested in the changes brought by adolescence, and nutrition is a “safe” topic where kids can think about how their current choices affect their future. Continue reading »

A Vital Unit Study Topic: Emergency Preparedness

by Jeanne Faulconer

Jeanne Faulconer

Just over a year ago, our home and many of our rural neighbors’ homes were damaged by Hurricane Sandy, which severely (and somewhat anonymously) affected a narrow swath of property in the mountains of Virginia before making its way as Superstorm Sandy to a much better publicized hit on northern coastal towns. While my son was unlikely to have been Continue reading »

KONOS Unit Study Topics

by Mary Ann Kelley

Our KONOS page has links to resource pages on THSM divided by character trait and unit. Continue reading »

Kids Blogging Unit Studies

by Jeanne Faulconer

Jeanne Faulconer

What do you get when your child combines a unit study and notebooking with a blog?

You get the homeschool version of a Virtual Learning Environment (a fancy way of saying learning that is enhanced by the Internet).

Homeschooling parents can use what they already know about unit studies and notebooking to have their children create their own unit study blogs on specific topics — their own VLE’s. Continue reading »

Homeschooling on a Budget

by Mary Ann Kelley

Homeschooling does not have to break your budget! The range of families who homeschool varies from the wealthy movie stars to low-income families that must be careful with every dime. Keep in mind that although you may be spending money to homeschool, you will save money by not having your child in a public or private school. Continue reading »

Pirates Unit Study

by Mary Ann Kelley

Ahoy, mateys! Get to know the pirates of old in this unit for ages 8-13. You will gather information on the history of pirates, where they sailed, what their lifestyles were like, what jobs they did, how they dressed, how they divided their spoils, and more. Continue reading »

Homeschooling Styles

by Amanda Beaty

Homeschoolers often classify themselves under different methods, and if you are new to the whole idea of homeschooling you might be confused by some of the terms you will hear (school at home/textbook-oriented, classical homeschooling, eclectic or relaxed homeschooling, online or virtual school, unit studies, Waldorf, Montessori, Moore Formula, Charlotte Mason, unschooling). Continue reading »