Logo Homeschool World ® Official Web Site of Practical Homeschooling Magazine Practical Homeschooling Magazine
Practical Homeschooling® :

Unit Studies

By Jessica Hulcy
Printed in Practical Homeschooling #6, 1994.

Jessica Hulcy tells us why she thinks the unit study approach is best.
   Pin It
Jessica Hulcy


As a young girl, my father took our family on month long trips across the United States. Since we traveled with 400 National Geographics in the back seat of our station wagon, these trips were both fun and educational.

Somehow, on these treks across America, my father showed me the "connectedness" of the world. Monticello wasn't just about the man Thomas Jefferson. Monticello embodied architecture in the buildings, botany in the gardens, history in Jefferson's political achievements, and a world view of how men should be treated in the written words of the Declaration of Independence.

I wanted to impart this same "connectedness" of the world to my children when I began homeschooling, so I chose unit studies as the "connector" of subjects. Under unit themes, subjects fit together, giving them meaning. If "trust" is the theme, our focus is on sheep trusting their shepherd for their every need. Children memorize the 23rd Psalm (Bible), examine similes, metaphors and analogies in the 23rd Psalm (English), study the habits and traits of sheep (science), research the actual responsibilities and duties of a shepherd (history), read the Newbery Award winner . . . and now Miguel which is the story of a shepherd boy's life (literature), and lastly, card, spin and weave sheep's wool (art). Units provide a multitude of topics connected by a theme.

The unit study method of home education has fringe benefits that go beyond teaching the "connectedness" of things. My children retain information and facts, because factual data hangs together in nice tidy packages. But the greatest bonus from doing units is the sense of learning, reading and doing together as a family. There is a sense of family connectedness in addition to the factual connectedness.

Academics are important, but relationships are even more important. Units help build those treasured relationships between family members that last a lifetime. This is what my father gave me, and this is what I now give my children.

Free Email Newsletter!
Sign up to receive our free email newsletter, and up to three special offers from homeschool providers every week.

Popular Articles

The Benefits of Cursive Writing

Advanced Math: Trig, PreCalc, and more!

Teaching Blends

Top Jobs for the College Graduate

Can Homeschoolers Participate In Public School Programs?

Shakespeare Camp

Patriarchy, Meet Matriarchy

Getting Started in Homeschooling: The First Ten Steps

How to "Bee" a Spelling Success

Saxon Math: Facts vs. Rumors

The Benefits of Debate

The History of Public Education

Top Tips for Teaching Toddlers

Columbus and the Flat Earth...

Interview with John Taylor Gatto

Combining Work and Homeschool

The Charlotte Mason Method

Montessori Math

Getting Organized Part 3

A Homeschooler Wins the Heisman

The Charlotte Mason Approach to Poetry

The Equal Sign - Symbol, Name, Meaning

Who Needs the Prom?

University Model Schools

Bears in the House

A Reason for Reading

What We Can Learn from the Homeschooled 2002 National Geography Bee Winners

Getting Organized Part 1 - Tips & Tricks

I Was an Accelerated Child

Myth of the Teenager

Start a Nature Notebook

Whole-Language Boondoggle

Discover Your Child's Learning Style

Montessori Language Arts at Home, Part 1

Classical Education

Art Appreciation the Charlotte Mason Way

Give Yourself a "CLEP Scholarship"

Why the Internet will Never Replace Books

Critical Thinking and Logic

Narration Beats Tests

Teach Your Children to Work

Don't Give Up on Your Late Bloomers

Joyce Swann's Homeschool Tips

AP Courses At Home

Laptop Homeschool

The Gift of a Mentor

How to Win the Geography Bee

What Does My Preschooler Need to Know?

Phonics the Montessori Way

Character Matters for Kids

          
Terms of Use   Privacy Policy
Copyright ©1993-2025 Home Life, Inc.