Unit Study Tips

By Marcie Ciampi

a. Take a plain piece of paper and make four vertical lines, on the top of the page list the subject titles: Vocabulary, Adjectives, Adverbs, Comprehension, and Spelling. Depending on the age-level and skill-level of your child, choose 1-10 words for each category from each chapter. This can be done by skimming through a second reading in a very short time.

b. Focus on each subject. Language Arts might include comprehension questions, vocabulary lists, adverb lists, spelling, and an introduction to the author. Math ideas might include measuring the length and width of a barn constructed of building blocks, calculating the area of a pig pen made of pattern blocks or multiplying made up stories about how much Templeton ate.

c. Use the computer again for another search. What are your child's interests?
Studying rocks. What's mud made of?
Studying nutrition? What are the benefits of a vegetarian diet?
Search for songs with pigs or farms. Any come to mind?

d. Take one last look to see if one area is lacking. If so, can you plan a fun fieldtrip in that subject area or check out some library books or use online games? Also, consider planting a garden, cooking, and other life skills.

e. Look at these specific resources at Spectrum Homeschool: Science Games
History Resources
70 + Spelling Ideas
Educational Websites

Make sure you have reviewed Homeschool Unit Study 101.