Homeschool World Forum

WWMama · User Joined: 01 Dec 2007 Posts: 53 Location: Minnesota

I've been wondering, as I'm looking at all the different methods of homeschooling, about unti studies. I worked as a "preschool teacher" for a few years before getting married and having children and I really think that all my lesson planning as a preschool teacher really makes me lean towards unit studies as the way I want to do homeschooling. Its the way my brain works and I think it will be a good way to teach one thing and gear it to whatever level either of my kids happen to be at on whatever "subject". I'm wondering...for those of you who are currently doing this...are there any disadvantages to this approach? Have you found things that are more difficult or harder to do with this method? Or things to beware of?
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It does not meant to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.
It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

momo3boys · User Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 574 Location: Western Mass

As a fellow former preschool teacher I felt the same way, the one draw back that I see is the time that it takes to plan. I now do a combination of things, some workbooks, some readings and some unit studies. I just don't have the time to plan it all for three. If you do, go ahead, it really is a wonderful way to homeschool.
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elliemaejune · Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2007 11:56 am Post subject:

I guess it might depend on what "unit studies" means to you Smile

To *me*, unit studies means picking a topic and doing everything around that topic until we're tired of it, lol. Only English and math need to be done as separate subjects.

The more organized, "official" unit studies such as KONOS, the Weaver, Prairie Primer, Where the Brook and the River Meet, et al, remove most of the pain in planning. I'm a KONOS fan, myself, although Where the Brook and the River Meet looks very interesting.

I suppose a drawback might be that our dc don't have lots of practice filling out workbook pages, but since there's very little of that in adult life, that isn't something that concerns me a whole bunch, lol.

WWMama · User Joined: 01 Dec 2007 Posts: 53 Location: Minnesota

Thanks for the information. I really feel that unit study will be what we do...shows how green I am that I didn't even realize there are things like KONOS, etc. Man...if I stick around here long enough, I might just get things figured out! Very Happy

_________________
Peace:
It does not meant to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.
It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

Kitty-Cat · User Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 62 Location: Australia

I really like unit studies, but the only thing is because I make them myself is burn out. So I only do them sometimes. Maybe if you buy ones all prepared that would not be a problem.
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elliemaejune · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:27 am Post subject:

Shari Nielsen · User Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 56 Location: CT