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Day 5 Creating Unit Study Objectives 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies by Creating a Unit Study Together

August 19, 2025 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today is day 5 creating unit study objectives. Also, look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies. I’m doing 10 days of diving into unit studies by creating a unit study together.

Head on I want us to tackle another myth or challenge about creating unit studies which is that they are hard to grade and even harder to satisfy educational standards. 

That doesn’t have to be the case with unit studies.  But like any creative teaching tool, you need to put measured steps in place.

Day 5 Creating Unit Study Objectives 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies by Creating a Unit Study Together

Satisfying the educationalese of a state or country if you live in one that requires stricter record keeping is important.  Even if you don’t live in a state or country that requires strict planning like I do, it is very important to decide what you want to extract from any unit study.  A unit study is only beneficial if it serves your goals or objectives.

If you want to include goals or objectives, then you will want to do them at this point in your planning.

10 DAYS OF CREATING A UNIT STUDY TOGETHER

  • Unit Studies Define & Redefine the Meaning – Day 1
  • Tips For Choosing Unit Study Topics.- Day 2
  • Selecting Superior Sub-Topics. Day 3
  • Finalize Sub-topics – Day 4
  • Creating Unit Study Objectives – Day 5
  • Unit Study Resources that Stir the Imagination – Day 6
  • Unit Study Activity Ideas – Day 7
  • Creating a Unit Study Lesson Plan – Day 8
  • Flow of Our Day with A Unit Study Schedule – Day 9
  • Unit Study Beginnings – Day 10

Exploring Unit Study Goals & Objectives

Goals and objectives are technically or educationally speaking two very different things.  I won’t bombard you with too many educationalese, but it helps to understand a bit about them so you can chart progress.

Objectives are tiny measured steps.  It is hard to boil down about what objectives are to a few sentences, but at the same time I don’t want you to think there isn’t a simple explanation either.

Objectives in the educational world are precise, measurable and specific steps or what you want your children to learn.  Taking this one step further you want a clear objective because lesson plans are based on an objective.   The lesson plan is the explanation of how you are going to accomplish that very specific outcome you described in the objective.

Make sense?

On the other hand, a goal is just a broad sweeping statement about what you are going to study.  It is not about how you are going to do it.  A goal is like a mission statement.

Having a non-public school teacher background helps me to appreciate that I can either set objectives first or like I did with you here, choose the sub-topics first and then create objectives. 

The second option may seem probably weird, crazy and far-fetched for a public school teacher who plans normally the other way around.  In other words, standards are in place first. 

So they would plan a course description or goal and then jot down specific, measurable objectives to reach those standards.

Unit Study Goals & Objectives

I don’t want to cloud the difference for you.  We have freedom as home educators when it comes to preparing objectives or goals of a unit study. 

We can choose child-led learning by focusing on unit study topics and sub-topics and not objectives. 

Then, write our goal and objectives. 

This is perfectly sane, unique, and creative because you are putting the needs and interest of your family ahead of meeting standards. 

If however, you want to write standards for each grade and plan the other way like a public school teacher, it is fine too.

Overall, the nifty tip to being a technical teacher when you have to be and you don’t have a public school teacher background is knowing that a transition into creating objectives can be done by choosing sub-topics first.

Look at my goals and objectives on the Ocean Unit Study that I started below.  I divided my objectives into 2 general grade levels.

My Goal for the Ocean Unit Study

“To provide a learning experience showing the importance of oceans to all life on our planet.”

That’s it! Easy.  I could stop there because it is simple enough. 

But, I also want to add in “To marvel at the vastness of the ocean and the creation in it.” 

In other words, I want to remember that one of my goals is to build in my sons an appreciation for creation too.

Extracting Unit Study Objectives

Now, look at some of these objectives I came up with.  Remember, the key to creating your objectives is to be very specific and describe what your child is expected to do by the end of the unit.

Lower/Elementary level

  • Students will know the approximate size of the ocean.
  • Identify the oceans of the world.
  • Students will identify some animal and plant life that lives in the ocean.
  • Compare and contrast the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
  • Tell what coral is.

Middle/High School level

  • Using hands-on ideas students will identify how water moves around the world.
  • Build a model showing the tidal zones.
  • Identify the composition of seawater, currents, tides, waves, and marine life.
  • Analyze ways to protect our ocean resources.

This is certainly not all I would want to add, but I wanted you to get a running start in how you could create objectives and be technical if you ever needed to be.

Unit Study Goals and Objectives Sample

I hope I didn’t lose you in all this.  My mind goes to  details of planning and I just wanted to arm you with some technical background in case you have been timid to take the leap into unit studies.

Unit Study Day 5. Creating Unit Study Objectives. 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies by Creating a Unit Study Together.

Also, I have created an easy planning page for you when you need it.

Understanding that you can have both goals and objectives while you savor the engaging interactive part of unit studies helps the teacher mom in all of us.

Are you going to create objectives with your unit study? I think we are just about ready to start pulling resources together now.

HOW TO GET THE FREE UNIT STUDY & GOALS OBJECTIVES FORM

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

10 Days of Creating A Unit Study Together

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2 CommentsFiled Under: 2. My FREE Organizing Printables {Any topic}, Diving into Unit Studies by Creating A Unit Study Tagged With: unit studies

How To Make Taste Safe Kinetic Sand Recipe Easy

August 18, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’m sharing a taste safe kinetic sand recipe easy for you to do at home. We’re always looking for ways to include our youngest learner in our day.

Plus, I’m always on the lookout for hands-on, sensory-rich activities that are not only fun but also educational and safe.

Kinetic sand is a moldable, squeezable sensory material that feels like wet beach sand but doesn’t dry out.

How To Make Taste Safe Kinetic Sand Recipe Easy

However, taste-safe kinetic sand is made from simple, edible household ingredients like flour and food coloring.

And this is a safe alternative for the toddler who is in the everything goes in my mouth stage.

Also, you can incorporate this sensory activity with many themed topics.

For example, you can use a different food coloring when exploring colors at the preschool and toddler ages.

BOOKS ABOUT COLORS FOR KIDS

For example, look at these books about color to add to your home library.

8 Books About Color

Add these books about color to your home library.

Image for The Days The Crayons Quit

The Days The Crayons Quit

Beige is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown. Blue needs a break from coloring all that water, while Pink just wants to be used. Green has no complaints, but Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun.What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?

Image for Mix It Up!: Board Book Edition

Mix It Up!: Board Book Edition

Follow the artist's simple instructions, and suddenly colors appear . . . mix . . . splatter . . . and vanish in a vivid world powered only by the reader's imagination. The result is not only enchantment and giggles, but a real and deeper understanding of colors brought by a true master of his craft.

Image for Mouse Paint

Mouse Paint

One day three white mice discover three jars of paint--red, blue, and yellow. But what happens when they splash in the colors, mixing the
red and blue? Or dance in the blue and yellow? This playful introduction
to colors will appeal to any budding artist or curious preschooler.

Image for Green

Green

Die cut pages bring surprise after surprise in this magical new book from the "Queen of the concept book"―an intricate and satisfying homage to green, the color of all creation.How many kinds of green are there? There's the lush green of a forest on a late spring day, the fresh, juicy green of a just-cut lime, the incandescent green of a firefly, and the vivid aquamarine of a tropical sea. In her newest book, Caldecott and Geisel Honor Book author Laura Vaccaro Seeger fashions an homage to a single color and, in doing so, creates a book that will delight and, quite possibly astonish you.

Image for White Rabbit's Colors

White Rabbit's Colors

White Rabbit finds three pots of paint―and discovers the magic of color!Young children will enjoy following Alan Baker's inquisitive LITTLE RABBITS as they make new discoveries. Simple storylines and playful artwork offer a fresh approach to learning early concepts.

Image for Ruby, Violet, Lime: Looking for Color

Ruby, Violet, Lime: Looking for Color

Ruby flowers, violet quilts, lime frosting ― colors are all around us. How many colors can you find in the pages of this book?

Image for Edible Colors: See, Learn, Eat

Edible Colors: See, Learn, Eat

With a combination of unusual foods and a kaleidoscope of colors, this concept book shows that not all foods have to look the same way. A banana can be red, broccoli can be purple, and cherries can be yellow and still taste just as delicious.

Image for Colors

Colors

A red fire truck races, orange pumpkins glow, and purple flowers bloom.Vivid pictures of familiar scenes, animals, and objects introduce future readers to color words and inspire them to look carefully at the world around them. Full of striking close-ups on fruits, flowers, and animals, as well as striking portraits of kids from diverse backgrounds, Colors is a bright, brilliant concept book from the creator of the award-winning Shades of People.

Also, look at more posts about sand.

MORE HANDS ON POSTS ABOUT SAND FOR KIDS

  • How to Make Fun DIY Kinetic Sand And Easy Sand Art
  • Desert Sand Art: Day 2 Hands-on Learning (Colors of the Desert)
  • How To Make A Summer Sensory Bin Using Kinetic Sand
How To Make Taste Safe Kinetic Sand Recipe Easy

Now, look at how to make this taste safe kinetic sand.

TASTE SAFE KINETIC SAND

First, look at this easy list of supplies.

  • 1 cup + 4 Tbsp baking soda
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup corn flour
  • 1 Tbsp cream of tartar
  • ¼ cup warm water Orange food coloring Bowl
  • Spoon
  • Spill tray or container with sides Plastic toys and shapes
How To Make Taste Safe Kinetic Sand Recipe Easy

First, in a bowl, combine the baking soda, sugar, cornstarch, and cream of tartar. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.

How To Make Taste Safe Kinetic Sand Recipe Easy

In a measuring cup, add warm water and orange food coloring.

How To Make Taste Safe Kinetic Sand Recipe Easy

Stir well to combine the food coloring and water.

How To Make Taste Safe Kinetic Sand Recipe Easy

Pour the water into the dry ingredients. Stir well until all the ingredients are combined.

Add to a container with sides, toys, and shapes.

  • *This can be stored in an airtight container.
  • *If the sand is too wet, add more baking soda.
  • *If the sand is too dry, add more water 1 tsp at a time,
  • *Any food coloring can be used.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool

Day 4 Finalize Sub-topics On a Unit Study 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies

August 17, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today is day 4 finalize sub-topics on a unit study. Also, look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies. I’m doing 10 days of diving into unit studies by creating a unit study together.

Curb a potential time waster like determining sub-topics. Use the chapters found in a topical book on the theme you have selected. It’s quite the nifty tip because a lot of the ground work on a topic has been laid for you. 

It keeps the part that can be overwhelming, which is planning a unit study, to manageable.

UNIT STUDY PLANNING

Of course you determine if you want to cover those chapters as sub-topics or not. 

Mix and match those chapters turned sub-topics with other book. Too, look at articles or magazines you have on hand on the subject too.

Too, the process of lesson planning can be simplified. Below I show you how I created my draft planning page from just one book, Discover the Ocean.

I talked about on Day 3. Selecting Superior Sub-Topics. 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies By Creating A Unit Study Together.

I wanted to use one book to give you the basics of planning. 

After you plan a couple of unit studies, you will come up with your own sub-topics and like I mentioned add others from other resources you have too.

Unit Study Planning. Ocean Unit Study Planning Page

        {part of the form from my unit study planner}

Also, when it came to the literature column, I just dotted down what we have in the house already which fits nicely with this topic. 

Then, I researched the scriptures to find ones that applied to my topic of Ocean as well. 

And, you can take the Bible study one step further by adding facts about the parting of the Red Sea.

FINALIZE SUB-TOPICS ON A UNIT STUDY

Another reason I picked out this book to use as an example with you is because it has a glossary section in the back too. 

Right there I have my spelling and vocabulary section built in and to choose from for my unit study. 

I just wanted to show you that if you pick out a resource that is extremely helpful, it can make preparing unit studies a cinch. 

As you gain more experience and become a pro planner, it becomes easier to piecemeal a unit study from several different resources.

After choosing the sub-topics, then assign those sub-topics as subjects.  Now, you can glance at your unit study as a whole to see if your unit study will be lop-sided or if it looks like you have a nice balance of subjects being learned throughout the topic.

Remember, it doesn’t matter if it’s lop-sided because that may be your focus.  This unit study on the ocean is a bit more lop-sided intentionally because I needed it to be more science focused.

As you can see from the above example, I can still create another column for art if I choose to at anytime.  My primary focus for that column right now is to use the misc. ideas to focus on some vocabulary that I know Tiny needs. 

That is the flexibility of creating your own unique unit study because it can be slanted whichever direction your family needs or wants to go.

Unit Study. Day 4. Finalize Sub-Topics. 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies by Creating a Unit Study Together.

Remember this is my big overview and certainly I do not have to stop here with planning and wouldn’t want to. 

I can still add some art and keep on with sub-topics.  Having more sub-topics is another key to keeping your unit study moving along. 

10 DAYS OF CREATING A UNIT STUDY TOGETHER

  • Unit Studies Define & Redefine the Meaning – Day 1
  • Tips For Choosing Unit Study Topics.- Day 2
  • Selecting Superior Sub-Topics. Day 3
  • Finalize Sub-topics – Day 4
  • Creating Unit Study Objectives – Day 5
  • Unit Study Resources that Stir the Imagination – Day 6
  • Unit Study Activity Ideas – Day 7
  • Creating a Unit Study Lesson Plan – Day 8
  • Flow of Our Day with A Unit Study Schedule – Day 9
  • Unit Study Beginnings – Day 10

Sometimes we will take a sub-topic a day and for other unit studies, we may take weeks.

Ease of Unit Study Planning

Flesh out your unit study with sub-topics generously because you may either move ahead faster or find some you don’t like as well.  You will have plenty to choose from if that becomes the case.

At this point too, I also look at other resources I may need.  I listed some here for you below that make studying about the ocean fun. 

The way I decide if I want to buy something versus borrowing from the library is if I know I will use that resource for many years like with multiple children or if it’s a resource with facts that can be studied over and over again throughout the years even with one child.

You have just created a course of study with relatively little ease as well.

I got so excited to show you all of this information floating around in my head that I got ahead of myself.  We are not quite ready for the stage of pulling resources together. 

I have one more post to show you about planning before we start pulling more resources.

Unit Study Planning

Pulling resources is still kind of like planning too, but I wanted to show you how you can satisfy the educationalese of a state or country if you live in one that requires stricter record keeping. 

If you don’t live in a place like that, then who knows you may astound folks with your teaching prowess after I show you the next post on this series which contains a few educationalese.

Did I lose you? 

Are you with me?  Have you grouped your sub-topics together for the theme you chose?  If you are using my unit study planner, then just pencil them in. 

If not, create your sub-topics some way that you remember them.

Are you having any problems creating any of the subject sub-topics from the resource you chose?

Hugs and love ya,

10 Days of Creating A Unit Study Together

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Leave a CommentFiled Under: Diving into Unit Studies by Creating A Unit Study Tagged With: unit studies

How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

August 16, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

II have some fun facts about sunflowers for kids and a fun Dollar Tree sunflower craft. Also, I have a free pattern template you can download at the bottom of this post. And look at my page Free Wildflowers Unit Study & Lapbook.

Sunflowers are bright, cheerful flowers that follow the sun. Young sunflowers love the sunshine so much, they turn their heads to follow it across the sky.

Also, you can include different science topics like plants, photosynthesis, life cycles, or seasons.

How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

Too, you can include topics like growth and their importance in nature, pollinators, seeds and agriculture.

And for art you can include color theory and spatial awareness.

In addition, include some easy math like counting seeds, measuring petals and discussing geometric shapes.

BOOKS ABOUT WILDFLOWERS

Then, add some books to include other flowers.

10 Wildflower Books & Resources For Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Spring is especially a good time to learn about wildflowers but you can learn about them anytime. Add a few of these hands-on resources and books and you'll have a fun multiple ages unit study for your homeschooled kids.

Image for Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum

Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum

Botanicum, is a brilliantly curated guide to plant life. With artwork from Katie Scott of Animalium fame, Botanicum gives readers the experience of a fascinating exhibition from the pages of a beautiful book. From perennials to bulbs to tropical exotica, Botanicum is a wonderful feast of botanical knowledge complete with superb cross sections of how plants work.

Image for National Geographic Pocket Guide to Wildflowers of North America

National Geographic Pocket Guide to Wildflowers of North America

With this basic beginner's field guide to North American wildflowers, all who enjoy nature and the outdoors can identify common wildflowers, from backyard weeds to dainty forest blossoms. In a logical, user-friendly, highly visual format, this new title offers key facts about 160 of the most common wildflowers and weeds, coast to coast, including Canada and Alaska.

Image for Wildcraft! an Herbal Adventure Game for Kids

Wildcraft! an Herbal Adventure Game for Kids

Unlike many kids games 4 and up that turn out to be too confusing for children, Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game, is a fun, strategic challenge that’s also easy to follow– NO READING REQUIRED. Because our learning board games feature clear illustrations and matching icons, even younger kids will learn what the different plants look like and can be used for. It’s the perfect fun game for family game night with kids, and ideal for beginners – no prior plant knowledge necessary!

Image for Wildflower Seeds: Bulk Mix of 21 Varieties

Wildflower Seeds: Bulk Mix of 21 Varieties

Wide Variety Of Flower Seeds: Our wildflower seeds will provide you with a vibrant selection of flowers in your garden. You will get 21 different varieties of annual seeds including Black Eyed Susans, California Bluebells, African Daisies and more.

Image for Wildflower Bingo Game

Wildflower Bingo Game

Do you know which flower got its name from its resemblance to the sombrero? What is the species of the bluebonnet? Lot of facts about North American wildflowers in this game.

Image for Wildflowers, Blooms & Blossoms (Take Along Guides)

Wildflowers, Blooms & Blossoms (Take Along Guides)

An introduction to the world of insects, caterpillars, and butterflies including identification information, educational activities, and fun facts.Invites young naturalists to spot wildlife. Safety tips are provided and interesting activities are suggested. 

Image for Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Wildflowers

Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Wildflowers

What do you call a garden filled with lots of flowers? A polli-nation! Nat Geo Kids is back with the newest fact- and photo-filled Ultimate Explorer Field Guide, and this one packs some real flower power! This guide to wildflowers will make kids stop and look for all kinds of blossoms blooming right under their noses. From buttercups to bladderworts, primroses to pitcher plants, kids will learn how, where, and when to spot these wildflowers in their backyard, down the street, or all over town! Jam-packed with tons of info, interactive prompts, tips for budding botanists, super stats, and jokes--it's the perfect companion for exploring the backyard or field trips, camping, or vacation. Durable and portable, it's just right for your pocket or backpack!

Image for Wild Flowers of North America (Science Nature Guides)

Wild Flowers of North America (Science Nature Guides)

Did you know that wild plants are still used for food, for medicines, and as dyes? Many of the plants growing in urban areas, in woods and by the side of roads are useful as well as being pretty. Other plants have small and less obvious how many have you seen and not realized that they were flowers? This book will show you the most common wild flowers and where you are most likely to find them. A nature guide designed for elementary grades 2-3, the book includes more than 20 easy-to-do science projects.

Image for Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America

Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers: How a First Lady Changed America

In this warm, engaging look at the life of a great First Lady, Kathi Appelt tells the story behind Lady Bird Johnson's environmental vision. Joy Fisher Hein's colorful wildflowers burst from every page, inviting us to share in Lady Bird's love for natural beauty. 

From a lonely childhood in the Piney Woods of East Texas to an exciting life in the White House, Lady Bird Johnson loved wildflowers with all her heart. They were her companions in her youth, greeting her everywhere as she explored wild forests, bayous, and hills. 

Image for Wild Flowers of North America: Botanical Illustrations by Mary Vaux Walcott

Wild Flowers of North America: Botanical Illustrations by Mary Vaux Walcott

Published in association with the Smithsonian Institution. What does it take to paint a wildflower that blooms for a single day in a deep forest? For Mary Vaux Walcott, it involved spending up to seventeen hours a day out of doors with her paintbox to capture the shape, movement, and colors of delicate petals and leaves.

Next, look at some activities about sunflower.

MORE SUNFLOWER ACTIVITIES

  • How To Make Sunflower Craft Like Van Gogh For Young Crafters
  • Bundled Q-Tip & Leaf Print Sunflower
  • Is Sunflower A Wildflower | How to Make a Canning Lid Craft
  • Beautiful Chalk Pastel Sunflowers
  • Paper Sunflower Collage Art
  • How to Make a Cute Sunflower Paper Craft
How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

Then, look at these fun facts about sunflowers for kids.

FACTS ABOUT SUNFLOWER FOR KIDS

  • Sunflowers are not just one flower. It is thousands of flowers.
  • They can grow super tall.
  • Birds and bees love sunflowers.
  • They come in different colors.
  • They’ve been planted in places with polluted soil (like near nuclear power plants and after oil spills) to help clean the ground.
  • Sunflower seeds make a tasty snack.
  • Sunflowers inspired artists.
  • A process called heliotropism is when young sunflowers face the sun.
  • They belong to the Asteraceae family, which also includes daisies, zinnias, and marigolds.
  • In addition to ornamental use, sunflowers are grown for biofuel, livestock feed, birdseed, and cooking oil.

Finally, look at how to make a Dollar Tree sunflower craft.

DOLLAR STORE PAPER PLATE SUNFLOWER CRAFT

First, look at this easy list of supplies:

  • Paper Plate – Dollar Store
  • Pom Poms, Black Tinsel – Dollar Store
  • Craft Paint – Golden Yellow
  • Cardstock – Brown, Green
  • Glue Gun and Glue Sticks – Dollar Store
  • Paintbrush
  • Scissors 
  • Permanent Marker
  • PATTERNS Paper Plate Sunflower. Free template. You can grab it at the bottom of this post by adding your email.
How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

STEP ONE

Gather all supplies. Base coat the inside of the paper plate with golden yellow acrylic craft paint.

Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary.

How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

STEP TWO

Download and print the Sunflower Patterns, then cut out with scissors. You can grab the template at the bottom.

How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

Trace the center of the flower once onto brown cardstock. You could also use colored craft foam or craft felt for this project.

STEP THREE

Cut out the flower center pattern with scissors making sure to cut inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project.

How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

STEP FOUR

Attach the brown cardstock flower center to the middle of the sunflower with a glue gun and glue sticks.

How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

TIP: You can use liquid craft glue for this project, but you will have to wait for it to dry.

STEP FIVE

Cut triangle shaped wedges from the paper plate with scissors to create the thick petals of the sunflower.

How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

STEP SIX

Attach black tinsel pom poms to the brown sunflower center using a glue gun and glue sticks.

How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

STEP SEVEN

Trace the leaf patterns onto green cardstock with a pencil.

You could also use colored craft foam or craft felt for this project.

How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

STEP EIGHT

Cut out the leaf patterns with scissors making sure to cut inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project.

How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

STEP NINE

Outline the leaves and draw a center vein with a black marker.

How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

STEP TEN

Attach the leaves to the back of the sunflower with a glue gun and glue sticks.

How To Make A Dollar Tree Sunflower Craft & Fun Facts About Sunflowers For Kids

This is a fun activity to keep the kiddos busy with coloring, counting and motor skills.

Make this super cute paper plate sunflower kids craft in just about 30 minutes! 

HOW TO GET THE FREE SUNFLOWER TEMPLATE PATTERN

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Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: crafts, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, science, sunflower

Day 3 Selecting Superior Sub-Topics 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies By Creating A Unit Study Together

August 15, 2025 | 2 Comments
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I have day 3 selecting sub-topics unit studies. Also, look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies. I’m doing 10 days of diving into unit studies by creating a unit study together.

Slice and dice of your unit study begins with being picky about sub-topics. One significant reason that could dampen a unit study is not selectively choosing sub-topics. 

Chiseling that main topic down into manageable planning sub-topics is the key to not covering “everything” and not being overwhelmed.

Day 3 Selecting Superior Sub-Topics 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies By Creating A Unit Study Together

Not only did I choose the topic of Oceans to do with you because it has a kazillion topics so I can illustrate a slice and dice method, but I also wanted to pull you in closer on the specific how tos of choosing a sub-topic.

From the beginning, it is important to brainstorm sub-topics that would fit naturally into your main theme. 

In other words never force a fit to make something fit into a subject for the sake of saying you covered something in that subject. 

TRIM AND FIT UNIT STUDIES

It really makes for some awkward learning moments.  I have done it and afterwards I felt like I was having an insane homeschooling day.

For example, I mentioned in Day 2. I chose Oceans not just because it will be part of our big move coming up, but because it is a science topic. 

I want our sub-topics to stay focused more on science. 

So if I was to try to tie in history by asking the boys how do they think the Oregon Trail pioneers felt when they arrived in Oregon and viewed the Pacific Ocean would feel awkward to me.

On the other hand if I tied in the history of seafaring to our unit study, that would feel more natural.

Make sense?

Next, the very basic essential to planning an excellent unit study is having a hardworking spine which can be a study guide, teacher’s manual, textbook, pamphlet, living book or article on line. 

Start by looking over what you already have in your home library to choose as a guide.

If you don’t have one, then make a visit to the library to find one or buy one if you think you will do this topic again and can use it with multiple children.

BOOKS AND GUIDES MATTER

Though I love living books, I normally use them to include as our literature to read. 

Sometimes I choose a living book.  Why? Because books that give me ideas for hands-on too from the very beginning sets me up for success by making the unit study easier. 

I want to work less in teacher prep so I chose books filled with facts AND that have hands-on ideas for projects. It really depends on what type of unit study also. 

For example, if we were doing one a famous person then a living book would be my number one go to book.

Day 3. Selecting Superior Sub-Topics. Unit Study

Also if you have younger children, then choosing a living book like the ones by Holling C. Holling like I have listed below are great story readers and make a useful teacher spine. 

It is easy too at times to find hands on ideas for younger learners, but not quite as easy for older students.

So as the teacher you decide what type of books keeps it easy for you and for the ages of the children you have. 

No need to dread hands-on because that is the life of a great unit study. 

Just be more picky about choosing the unit study guide. 

CHOOSE A SPINE CAREFULLY

Instead of going with a living book for my Ocean Unit Study, then I am going with more of a fact book which already has ideas for hands-on projects.

I have mentioned these books before and now I gathered some of them up for you to see.  Because hands on ideas are already included, they make WONDERFUL unit study starters.

Discover the Oceans is the one I will be using for this unit study from my favorite books above.   This doesn’t mean I can’t add another spine. 

I had this one at home and it is a good jumping off point.  Look below at the chapters inside the book.

Day 3 Selecting Superior Sub-Topics 10 Days of Diving Into Unit Studies By Creating A Unit Study Together

I don’t have to fuss much because I already have a guide or direction to go with on this topic. 

Quickly glancing at the chapters I can tell which ones are the direction we need to go and which ones I may need to look over. 

The “maybe” chapters are ones I need to look at because I want to keep this a more science topic and I want to be sure they don’t pull us too far off that track.

Choose sub-topics that pique your children’s interests and then assign them to subjects. 

I will be doing this in the next post where I will have chosen all my sub-topics for the Ocean, but I have an example above from my FBI unit study to show you now.  I have 3 sub-topics shown. 

Two that interested my boys which are J. Edgar Hoover and the effects of WWI and one I added, which is the U.S. Government.  

Unit Study Course of Study | Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

(page from my Unit Study Planner)

So I added something I felt like they needed to study about and grouped with the sub-topics that they naturally picked.  

On the right side I used a check to show which subject areas I felt those sub-topics met.

10 DAYS OF CREATING A UNIT STUDY TOGETHER

  • Unit Studies Define & Redefine the Meaning – Day 1
  • Tips For Choosing Unit Study Topics.- Day 2
  • Selecting Superior Sub-Topics. Day 3
  • Finalize Sub-topics – Day 4
  • Creating Unit Study Objectives – Day 5
  • Unit Study Resources that Stir the Imagination – Day 6
  • Unit Study Activity Ideas – Day 7
  • Creating a Unit Study Lesson Plan – Day 8
  • Flow of Our Day with A Unit Study Schedule – Day 9
  • Unit Study Beginnings – Day 10

So up to this point, you  need to

  • Pick a guide or two;
  • Look over the chapters;
  • Determine which chapters will help you in your topic and which ones will not or would the book serve better as a reader or literature.
  • Choose your sub-topics

Next post I will share my sub-topics on the Ocean Unit Study and then show you how to start pulling resources together.

Are you with me still?

Hugs and love ya,

10 Days of Creating A Unit Study Together

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2 CommentsFiled Under: Diving into Unit Studies by Creating A Unit Study, Do Unit Studies Tagged With: unit studies

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