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unit study approach

10 Key Benefits of Unit Study Curriculum (free printable)

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Unit study curriculum has ten key benefits. Too, look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more unit study tips and ideas.

Today, I will identify what is unit study curriculum, how long a unit study should last, and what makes a good unit study curriculum.

Besides identifying what a unit study means, you need to know how to use unit study curriculum with your multiple aged children.

10 Key Benefits of Unit Study Curriculum (free printable)

And knowing how to identify what is not a unit study or unit study curriculum keeps you from wasting your time.

First, knowing what is unit study curriculum will help you to see the benefits of it.

Unit Study Curriculum

Unit study curriculum takes one topic and includes as many subjects as possible. It builds an entire curriculum around the topic covering subjects like language arts, math, reading, art, history, science, and geography with hands-on application.

Also, unit study curriculum can build lesson plans around a piece of literature, a famous author or person.

For a history slant, a unit study can be created using an event or learning about a famous person. Regarding science, a unit study can use topics from past or current events, inventions, or focus on a scientist.

Studying character traits is another way to build unit study curriculum. On top of that art can tie in history, science, crafts, and math when art is the main topic.

Extensive Unit Study Curriculum

Next, identifying the differences in extensive versus limited unit studies will help you to make a better choice.

10 Key Benefits of Unit Study Curriculum (free printable)

Extensive unit study curriculum can include lesson plans or lesson plan ideas, language arts and maybe math. Math is the only component for both extensive and limited unit study that is normally purchased separately as well as including some aspects of it in daily learning.

In addition, it should include components of hands-on activities and project ideas.

As you can see the topics can be endless, which is a huge appeal to learners of all ages.

A few choices I like for extensive unit study curriculum are:

  • Five in a Row which now includes ages up to middle school and is based on beautiful literature;
  • Konos is another extensive curriculum and is for learners all the way to high school and is based on character traits;
  • Gather Round Homeschool is fairly new to the homeschool world and is for learners to high school and takes more of a Charlotte Mason approach;
  • Tapestry of Grace is another favorite of mine built around the main topic of history, but also has a classical approach intertwined. It too is geared for all ages up to high school;
  • Christian Cottage blends history time periods with science and lots of hands-on activities. Like KONOS and Five in a Row, it has been around for years. Although initially it was up to middle school, it is aimed for use up to high school and is still a wonderful resource; and
  • Trail Guide to Learning blends another favorite subject of ours which is geography with language arts and science. When it launched back in the day it was aimed for middle school and still is a great fit for middle school learners.

Limited Unit Study Curriculum

Next, don’t think because a unit study curriculum is limited that it can’t be of value.

The ideas or content may be excellent starting points or give extensive background knowledge. Perhaps limited unit study curriculum just gives an idea for the day versus a daily lesson plan.

Furthermore, the focus of some unit studies are narrow; that is a huge benefit when too much information is overwhelming.

Not everyone wants day-to-day hand holding, especially if you have an eager learner. You may just want a framework of knowledge on the topic. There are many ways to use limited unit study curriculum.

A few of the ones I like are below;

  • Beautiful Feet Literature is another favorite that I’ve used through the years. Although the history is deep, the focus on other subjects can be limited. For example, Beautiful Feet has a science unit study and learning geography through picture books.

In my 25 years of homeschooling, I’ve seen an explosion of unit studies. Some welcomed by me, others not so much.

What is NOT Unit Study Curriculum

What is not a homeschool unit study is busy work and it’s not an approach you do alongside another approach.

Because there are no rules, you can be as detailed or loose in your planning as you desire. There is no one way to do a unit study.

Additionally, because it’s an integrated thematic study, prepared laid our boxed curriculum doesn’t usually align with this approach. You need less all-in-one curriculum and more topical or thematic guides and books.

What Makes Good Unit Study Curriculum

With that being said, what makes a good unit study curriculum is one that makes your job easier. Too, it should give you support to create a richer education for your children while saving you time and stress.

How Long Should a Unit Study Last

Then, depending on the ages of your children and their interests, your unit study could last anywhere from two weeks to several months.

A few topics my children wanted to study longer, I wanted to move on to cover other topics for the year. Just know that sometimes you’re the one that wants to move on.

However, I’ve had topics planned to do for a month which only lasted two weeks.

A good rule of thumb is to plan for at least two unit studies a month. That way if your children lose interest in one topic which you had planned to do longer, you can easily move on to your next topic.

Another tip for you is to use unit studies with all your children. Having these solid tips will show you how to use unit study curriculum with all your children.

Using Unit Study Curriculum with Multiple Aged Children

  1. Aim for a resource which targets the age of your middle child or most mature learner. Tweaking assignments to meet the needs of younger learners is easier than crafting ideas for older learners. Especially if you’re new to unit studies, this sanity-saving tip will help.
  2. Doing unit studies together does not mean you have to be on the same subtopic. For example, your family may be studying about sharks. An older learner could write a research paper, your middle learner could practice his reading on a book he or she has selected, and your kindergartner may be coloring a picture or crafting a shark. Different activities while you’re on the same topic is the sanity-saving secret. All doing the same lesson plan is not.
  3. Let each younger learner stop when he or she is immersed. The unit study approach is immersion into the topic. Like everything else, your youngest learner has limits when interest has piqued. Keep going with your older learners until their interest is piqued as well. Chances are you’ll cover the topic again later in your journey and the younger ones will pick up where they left off.

10 Benefits of Unit Study Curriculum

Lastly, the best part of unit studies and unit study curriculum are the benefits.

  1. Including all of your children together with each working at their individual levels, maximizes time.
  2. Children are immersed in a topic which they chose or better known as delight-directed studies.
  3. Willing participants in learning instead of forced learning nurtures independent learning.
  4. Moving at your family’s pace allows each child to be masters of their material. They are working individually for mastering not in comparison to other children their age.
  5. Through hands-on activities and living books, learning sticks. Retention is higher because children are doing and not just reading about the topic.
  6. Instead of learning bits and pieces about topics, children stay on a topic long enough to connect their knowledge to the greater body of knowledge.
  7. Separated curriculum with various topics have no unifying effect unlike the unit study approach.
  8. One giant reference book which spans many ages can be used with your multiple children saving a budget strain. In addition, the books can be used for several years unlike grade level curriculum.
  9. Learning is a privilege and should not be rushed to stay in step with scope and sequence. Using the unit study approach makes the approach fit your family, not keep up with a curriculum schedule.
  10. My favorite benefit is that the whole family is together with a relaxed pace and fostering sibling togetherness. The focus is on maximizing the time and your kids can easily lose track of the time spent learning. Fabulous!
10 Key Benefits of Unit Study Curriculum (free printable)

ULTIMATE UNIT STUDY PLANNER FREE PAGE

I would love to give you a copy of one of my pages from my Ultimate Unit Study Planner! It is a page I start with when I call bubble planning. I plan my thoughts and possible subjects around the main theme. You can see a sample of it here How to Create a Homeschool Unit Study – Step 2: Separation.

10 Key Benefits of Unit Study Curriculum (free printable)

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

HOW TO GET THE FREE UNIT STUDY PLANNER PAGE

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!

What do you think? Are you ready to give unit study curriculum a try?

Here are some more unit study helps:

10 Key Benefits of Unit Study Curriculum (free printable)

What Are the Top 5 Homeschool Styles

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Knowing what are the top 5 homeschool styles is key to narrowing the overwhelm in choosing curriculum. Then matching homeschool styles with learning styles is a seasoned veteran tip. You’ll love the tips on the Homeschool Learning Styles page.

Learning a few features of each homeschool style and how to pair it with curriculum saves you money.

I will not only explain styles of homeschooling, but help you to identify which is best for your family.

What Are the Top 5 Homeschool Styles

In addition, what is most important for your children to learn and how they learn it will affect your choice of homeschool style.

And terms like homeschool approach and teaching style are used to talk about homeschooling style. This may or may not be clear.

What is the Definition of Homeschool Styles

So, what is a homeschool style?

Simply put, a homeschool style is an educational approach. An approach is a method to how you teach which is also called your teaching style. It includes your goals and your values. An approach is how you will implement what you want your children to learn. Using curriculum as a tool helps you meet your homeschool style. There are 5 top or major homeschool styles or approaches.

There are no right or wrong, better or worse, or smarter or dumber approaches. I’ve seen success stories and failures with each approach. Part of deciding a homeschool approach is to determine what are your family’s priorities and what is your teaching style.

10 Questions to Ask About Your Teaching Style

Look at these questions to help you identify your homeschool style.

  1. Do you want a consistent schedule or a framework of what to teach?
  2. Is testing a necessary part of your curriculum or do you want your child to demonstrate learning through hands-on and conversations with you?
  3. Will memorization and notetaking be essential parts of your teaching? And will learning be done according to the age of the child or his maturity?
  4. How important is studying nature, being outdoors, and studying art?
  5. Should subjects be learned in isolation or tied together as a unifying theme?
  6. Are you going to follow your child’s lead in everything they want to learn, give them day to day guidance, or use both features?
  7. Does your choices for reading including, textbooks, novels, biographies, classics, or all of them? And how much emphasis will be put on learning about the past?
  8. Which subjects are most important to you to cover?
  9. Where should learning take place?
  10. What emphasis will you place on family learning projects versus one-to-one time with each of your children?

From your general answers above, pair your answers or goals with homeschooling styles or homeschool approaches.

Although these are not all the homeschool styles, these are the popular ones you want to know about right away.

Homeschool Styles

Here are the top five homeschool styles in no particular order of popularity.

  1. Unit Study
  2. Classical
  3. Textbook/workbook
  4. Charlotte Mason
  5. Unschooling

Next, look at some of the features of each homeschool approach and a few examples of curriculum which follow that approach.

As you mull over the differences, look for one or two which fit your idea of how to teach your children.

Features of Homeschool Teaching Styles

First, look at the Unit Study Approach. I didn’t start with a unit study approach, but this is the one I switched to after a few years into my journey.

Unit Study Approach

The Unit Study approach is a method where you teach all your children together on one topic covering as many of the basic subjects as possible. Hands-on application and projects are a huge part of learning with this homeschool style.

For example, take the topic the Amazon Rain Forest and since it’s a science heavy topic, tie in a history slant like I did about Theodore Roosevelt on my Amazon rain forest unit study.

Too, art by Henri Rousseau was my slant on art. There are endless ways to tie in bodies of knowledge and you learn how to tie them in naturally.

Considerations

  • Some subjects don’t fit naturally into some of the topics which interests your children.
  • It can take a while to know how to lesson plan for multiple ages.
  • There aren’t as many curriculum providers for this approach as there are for others.

Curriculum Options

Classical Approach

Another popular approach is the Classical approach.

I loved it because of its emphasis on history and classical books. The Classical approach follows the trivium method. Learning is divided into stages according to the ages of the child.

Besides emphasis on history like Ancient Greece, books are chosen based on the great minds of the past.

Considerations

  • Because the emphasis is on heavy language arts, some educators feel the subjects are not balanced.
  • Not all families want heavy emphasis on learning about the past.
  • Learning Latin is emphasized.

Curriculum

Textbook/Workbook (School At Home) Approach

Next, the Workbook/Textbook approach is one most familiar to us because it’s the same one used in public schools.

And a term all-in-one homeschool curriculum means curriculum which has lesson plans laid out with scripted teacher’s manuals and tests. Look at my posts 21 Fun All-In-One Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum and Big Ol’ List of All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum (a.k.a Boxed).

Considerations

  • Laid out lesson plans may feel comfortable to new homeschoolers.
  • If your child struggles in public school this may not be a good fit for you.
  • If you need accountability in a state which keeps records, this may make it easier.

Curriculum

  • Major companies like Abeka, Bob Jones, and Calvert follow this approach.
  • Easy Peasy All in One is a free online laid out curriculum.

Charlotte Mason Approach

Further, Charlotte Mason approach is another one that is popular. With emphasis on nature and art, the approach to language arts is gentle. Gentle does not mean rigorous, but it’s more relaxed in the early years unlike the Classical approach.

Charlotte Mason was a popular British educator who influenced the homeschool world through her lifetime of teaching.

Consideration

  • Known for the use of living books which are opposite textbooks, her approach is popular because of the beautiful literature it uses.
  • Some curriculum providers do not provide as much structure as others.
  • Too, the gentle approach to language arts does not appeal to all.
  • And emphasis on fine arts may not be your goal.

Curriculum

Unschooling Approach

Moreover, the Unschooling approach is another popular approach although it has not always been that way. The Unschooling approach seemed to get a bad rap in the early days of homeschooling and still does because some feel it lacks structure.

However, unschooling proponents vary from little structure to none in their day. In the basic definition, it means to follow the leads of the child. Trusting the natural learning process, proponents tout that a child will learn all he or she needs to if we create a learning rich environment.

Considerations

  • Because this learning process is child-led there is concern that some kids won’t be introduced to subjects that may seem unappealing to the child.
  • Additionally, since it’s child-led learning there is no laid out curriculum. Curriculum is chosen based on the child’s likes.

Curriculum

How to Identify the BEST Homeschool Style for Your Family

Lastly, the most important part of learning about an educational approach or teaching style is maintaining the focus on YOUR goals. Through the years I’ve learned it’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing and not think about my family’s needs.

For example, when I started homeschooling I felt the Classical approach embodied how I wanted my children to learn.

Quickly, I learned that the Classical approach didn’t meet the needs of my children.

Above all, when you’re looking at these tips below remember you can change anytime as different needs come up in journey.

6 Ways to Identify the BEST Homeschool Style For You

  • Do not think you have to limit yourself to ONE homeschool style. The most successful homeschoolers mix and match homeschool approaches. For that reason, you’ll notice curriculum which hails to two or even three approaches.
  • Know that you do not have to stick with one or a combination of two teaching styles for your whole journey. In other words, do not buy curriculum too far ahead. You may change your mind, or the needs of your children will change.
  • Ask curriculum provider questions about the approach they take in their curriculum if you don’t know it. Most curriculum provider welcome questions, but be aware that a lot are homeschooling families. They need time to return the call or answer your question.
  • In addition, do not think you have to implement every facet of that teaching method.
  • Then, one of the best tips is to also recognize your child’s learning personality. As parents, we tend to teach only to our homeschool style. And although we homeschool to fit our children’s unique needs we tend to forget.

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important Too

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality.

What Are the Top 5 Homeschool Styles

YOU WILL LEARN:

  • How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
  • How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
  • A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
  • Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
  • Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.
What Are the Top 5 Homeschool Styles

In summary, these other tips and posts I have will help you to learn more about homeschool styles.

MORE HOMESCHOOL LEARNING STYLES TIPS

Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study

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I have a free 4-week Minn of the Mississippi unit study for kids. Look at these other Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning.

I can’t wait to share this free 4-week Minn of the Mississippi unit study with you.

It is full of wonderful geography, science, language arts and more.

Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study

This children’s book by Holling C. Holling follows the journey of a snapping turtle named Minn as she makes her way down the Mississippi River.

First, Minn’s journey starts at the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Lake Itasca, Minnesota.

Then, her travels continue onto the Gulf of Mexico and she is eventually set free in Bayou Barataria near New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Mississippi River has the third largest drainage basin in the world, exceeded in size only by the watersheds of the Amazon and Congo Rivers.

It drains 41 percent of the 48 contiguous states of the United States.

Another point is that it allows for a great unit study that covers geography like map work and science topics such as animal study, environments like the river basin, ecology, and of course plenty of opportunity for language arts activities. 

Too, you can easily use it as inspiration for art lessons as well.

Also, the book is recommended for ages 8-12 but I think it is very adaptable for a little younger or a little older with a few adjustments.

Living books are still a fantastic resource for your middle school kid, don’t exclude that age just yet.

First, you’ll need to grab your own copy.

Minn of the Mississippi

The book teaches geography, history, and earth sciences through an engaging story.

Then, look at these math and language arts activities.

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS MINN OF THE MISSISSIPPI UNIT STUDY WEEK 1

Next, this language arts activity is naturally built into the unit, it is simply to read aloud or have your child read the book independently.

Let’s work on print or cursive writing, wherever your child is and practice writing lines from the book.

Additionally, let your child choose a few sentences and use it as copywork.

In addition, review those vocabulary words!

It takes approximately 25 years for the story of Minn from the headwaters to the bayou in a Louisiana swamp.

 For younger children, talk about seasons, how many days in a week, month, year? Weeks in a year, etc…

Have your child look up the definition and copy it down for each of the following vocabulary words below.

  • Suspense
  • Rapids
  • Shimmering
  • Shallow
  • Deserted
  • Have students use the scale on a map to measure distances between key locations along the river. For example, calculate the distance between cities like Minneapolis and New Orleans.
  • For your young learners, have them keep a tally sheet of animals found along Minn’s journey.

SCIENCE MINN OF THE MISSISSIPPI UNIT STUDY WEEK 2

Play Professor Noggins Reptiles and Amphibians, this game is amazing for families to play together as each card offers questions of varying difficulties.

Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study

Learn more about the Mississippi River by building a river model that includes characteristics unique to the mighty Mississippi.

This activity can be done over the course of a day or the whole week.

Have your child choose a river creature, like one mentioned in the book and research it. They can show you what they have learned via paper, or a diorama like this one about the Everglades.

Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study

Create a reusable felt food pyramid that can be pulled out and used to demonstrate the food chain in any habitat. For this one we will focus on river creatures. See below for the full instructions.

Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study

Food chain pyramids are five levels, known as trophic levels.  

SCIENCE WEEK 2

  • Producers: First level, at the bottom which includes pond plants and trees that drop their leaves that break down into the water. For example, trees, lily pads, and underwater plants.
  • Primary consumers:Second level from the bottom is made up of herbivores that eat mainly plants. River primary consumers are freshwater crabs, snails, and insects.
  • Secondary consumers: The third level from the bottom is  carnivores that eat herbivores, in our case frogs, fish, snakes, turtles.
  • Tertiary consumers: The fourth level up, made up of carnivores that eat other carnivores-raccoons and river otters.
  • Quaternary consumers: The fifth and final level at the top is made up of apex predators with no natural predators. For example this includes large predatory fish, alligators, and large birds like Herons.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY MINN OF THE MISSISSIPPI UNIT STUDY WEEK 3

Have your child locate and trace the Mississippi River on a map with their finger or a marker. This map of the river with town names gives a great overview of the path.

Or you can trace it along a scrunch map, these come in handy for a simple portable geography resource.

  • Then Build a River Model with the help of this video that demonstrates how water moves along the river system
  • In the story Minn is picked up and looked after by a Chipewa (Ojibwe) child, learn more about them with this book and recreate a wigwam, the style of homes that they lived in.

The headwaters of the Mississippi River start at Lake Itasca in Itasca State Park in Minnesota.

Find Minnesota on the map and have your child research some basic geographical facts about it using books or Google.

  • Abbreviation:MN
  • Capital:St. Paul
  • Biggest City: Minneapolis
  • Nickname:The North Star State
  • State Bird: Common Loon

Learn about what a river is and the parts of a river. A river is a body of water that flows across the land, usually starting from a high point, such as a mountain, and ending at a lower point, such as a lake or the ocean.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY STUDY WEEK 3

  • Riverbanks-Riverbanks are the sides of a river. Riverbanks can be made of different materials, such as sand, gravel, or rock.
  • Source-The source of a river is the place where it begins. This could be a spring, a glacier, or a lake. The source is often located at a high point, such as a mountain.
  • Tributaries-Tributaries are smaller rivers or streams that flow into a larger river. Tributaries help to increase the flow of water in the river and can also bring in sediment and nutrients.
  • Main Channel-The main channel of a river is the deepest and widest part of the river. This is where the water flows the fastest.
  • Floodplain-The floodplain is the area of land that is next to a river. The floodplain is often flooded during heavy rains or when the river overflows its banks.
  • Meanders-Meanders are bends in a river. Meanders are formed when the water in a river flows around obstacles, such as rocks or trees.
  • Oxbow Lakes-Oxbow lakes are crescent-shaped lakes that are formed when a meander is cut off from the main channel of a river.
  • Delta-A delta is a fan-shaped area of land that is formed at the mouth of a river. Deltas are formed when the sediment that is carried by the river is deposited in the ocean.
  • Estuary-An estuary is a wide, often funnel-shaped, mouth of a river where the seawater mixes with the freshwater from the river.
Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study

ARTS & CRAFTS MINN OF THE MISSISSIPPI UNIT STUDY WEEK 4

Draw or paint  a model of a river system with watercolor, markers, or crayons.

A great art and geography as well as science lesson all rolled into one.

Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study

OTHER BEST UNIT STUDIES

Felt River Food Pyramid

You will need:

  • 5 sheets of felt-various colors
  • Plastic river animals
  • Scissors
  • Glue gun/sticks
  • Ruler
Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study

First, for the main piece that will serve as a base I recommend using a larger piece of felt , like  the 12×18 sheets.

Measure a triangle 12 in across by 16 to 18 in tall using a ruler and pencil.

Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study

Cut out the triangle.

To create the different levels of the pyramid layer smaller pieces of felt behind it line them up where you would like them to be in Trace with a pencil.

Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study

Cut each level out leaving them slightly wider than the base piece.

Hot glue each strip down into its proper position.

Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study

Flip the entire thing over and trim everything up nicely and evenly with your scissors.

Free 4 Week Minn of the Mississippi Unit Study

Now have your child layer each of the river animals where they fall on the food pyramid using whatever plastic animals you have on hand or you can print animals off the internet, cut out magazines, or use flashcards.

4 Week Free China Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

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I have a free 4-week China unit study for kids. Look at these other Best Homeschool Unit Studies for more ideas and topics for hands-on learning.

China is one of the world’s oldest civilizations.

So, this unit study for multiple ages is geared toward Ancient China.

4 Week Free China Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

In addition, we are focusing on China’s rich history, culture, food, animals, inventions, and landmarks.

However, because this is a multiple age study topics like the Opium Wars and the philosophical views of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism I feel are for older students.

Too, I will list famous people in history which will give your children a feel for the period.

ANCIENT CHINA BOOKS FOR KIDS

First, living books and picture books bring this period to life.

When possible, I try to always include reading of living books. Then I add reference books to our list.

12 Ancient China Books & Resources For Kids Who Love Reading and Being Read To

Add some of these books to your home library about Ancient China. Also, use them for a homeschool unit study.

Let’s dive into some of the history and geography.

HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY CHINA UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 1

First, here are a few of the major dynasties:

  • Xia Dynasty
  • Shang Dynasty
  • Zhou Dynasty
  • Qin Dynasty
  • Han Dynasty

Besides the many fascinating dynasties that have existed in China, there are many beautiful geographical landmarks.

  • The History Unboxed -Ancient China Unboxed is affordable and includes some really neat information as well as hands on activities like -Coloring the Great Wall, excavate your own ancient Chinese replica artifact, taste an ancient preparation of tea, decorate and fly an ancient style of kite, and making a magnetic compass.
  • Also, for younger kids look at this fun printable All About China book. Scroll to the bottom for the free pdf link.

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OF CHINA

  • Yellow River (Huang He). The second-longest river in China.
  • Yangtze River. The longest river in China and Asia.
  • Great Wall of China. It wasn’t just a wall but a fortification to protect them from invasions.
  • Himalayas. The highest mountain range in the world.
  • Gobi Desert. A large desert in northern China and southern Mongolia.

And here are some historical people to research.

Confucius, Qin Shi Huang, Laozi, Zheng He and although not really ancient, Qiu Jin is celebrated as a heroine.

Marco Polo traveled along the Silk Road in the 13th century and wrote about his adventures in China. We did a whole unit study about him.

NATURE & SCIENCE CHINA UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 2

Another fun topic to discuss about their contributions to inventions.

For example, there is paper, a compass, gunpowder, and silk.

Also, learn about some of the animals and plants and trees in China.

MATH & LANGUAGE ARTS CHINA UNIT STUDY IDEAS WEEK 3

Also, look at these hands-on math and language arts ideas.

  • Build the Wall of China. We did ours with paper. Look at my post How To Make The Great Wall Of China Out Of Paper. But measure the length and width and calculate how long it will need to stretch across your dining room table.
  • Investigate Ancient Chinese currency like the bronze coin and cowry shells.
  • Research about the Chinese calendar which is a lunar calendar and compare with the Gregorian calendar.
  • Read ancient Chinese folktales like The Monkey King and The Legend of Mulan. Look at this Paper Doll Mulan Craft for Kids.
  • Comparing Ancient Chinese and Western Literary works.
4 Week Free China Unit Study & Best Hands-on Ideas

ARTS & CRAFTS CHINA UNIT STUDY WEEK 4

Finally, look at some of these fun arts and crafts to do along your unit study.

A lot of Ancient China then like now is rural.

However, China was home to some of the most advanced cities on earth.

Not only did they excel in architect like the monasteries but their people learned poetry, how to play a musical instrument and performed beautiful dances.

What part of Ancient China are you focusing on?

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

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From science to literature, I have a wonderful selection of owl unit study ideas to spark your next lesson. Also, grab more ideas on my Best Homeschool Unit Studies page.

Included is a simple how-to for dissecting owl pellets.

Owl pellets are the indigestible parts of creatures that owls eat such as the skull, claws, teeth, fur, and feathers that cannot safely pass through an owl’s digestive tract.

So instead, the gizzard of the owl presses everything into a tight pellet that the owl then regurgitates.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

They look just like a little round clod of dirt at first glance.

As you begin to pull it apart you will find fur, bones, and more.

They are both gross and fascinating at the same time. If you have never examined one, I highly recommend doing so.

But beyond that grossly wonderful hands-on activity there is plenty more to choose from to create a small or larger lesson on this nocturnal bird of prey.

I have science, language arts, math, and even art and life skills bundled up to give you plenty of inspiration for an owl unit study.

There is so much to learn about owls that they really can be their own study.

They are found on nearly every continent and there are roughly 250 owl species.

All of them live above ground except for the burrowing owl that makes its nest underground in holes abandoned by other animals.

Books About Owls for Kids

13 Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read to About Owls

Add some of these books about owls to your home library or for your unit study.

Also, look at more ideas.

OWL UNIT STUDY RESOURCES

Resources for an Owl Unit Study

SCIENCE

Watch this video on the Great Horned Owl for a bird’s eye view.

Grab the Big Book of Birds for preschoolers through middle elementary (and maybe beyond), it is a great oversized book full of bird information and illustrations.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

Dissect an owl pellet.

I found this fantastic free printable owl pellet bone sorting chart that you can use along with the owl pellets as you dissect them and carefully remove the individual bones.

This is a great way to identify which ones are which.

For younger learners try out Owl Eyesight – STEM Exploration for Kids.

Learn about the life cycle of an owl as you label each part of the cycle with the free life cycle of an owl labeling worksheets.  

I enjoy adding books to our library that are good for more than one use.

Nature Anatomy is just such a resource, it has a nice section on owls with pretty illustrations, and information on bird anatomy, birds of prey, eggs, nests, and calls.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

LANGUAGE ARTS

For preschoolers I have this wonderful O is for Owl unit with plenty of hands-on activity ideas.

Have your middle or high school teen write a report on one species of owl including its habitat, how to identify it, and preferred prey.

One of my favorite children’s books is Owl Moon and it makes a great addition to read aloud for this topic.

MATH

Try out this Owl Matching Game for kids to help your child make the connection between the number of objects and the number itself.

Hoot Owl Hoot is a simple cooperative matching game that preschoolers will enjoy.

GEOGRAPHY

Owls are found in nearly every continent in the world from deserts to coniferous forests to the Arctic tundra.

Take out a map and have your child identify the habitat of several owls.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

An ornithologist is a scientist who studies birds, including owls. Have your child research and list 3 different things that this type of scientist does.

ART AND LIFE SKILLS

This Owl Head craft does not have written instructions but I think the step-by-step photos are enough to create your own unique owl art piece.

This one goes under art but is also a fantastic life skill, simple sewing to create a Stuffed Winter Owl Heat Pack.

These paper bag owls take what would typically be a preschool project and raise it a few levels making it great for upper elementary and middle school.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

How to Dissect Owl Pellets 

You will need:

First, owl pellets generally come sanitized and with instructions, but I wanted to give you more insight and ideas for approaching the dissection.

To make it inviting, spread out your pellets as well as the science tools on a tray.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

Use tools like skewers and tweezers to carefully pull the pellet apart.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

Remove all the little bone fragments.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

Examine them a little closer using a magnifying glass.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

Use a bone identification chart to match up the bones you find in the pellet.

You may find enough to reconstruct a little skeleton.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets

Be sure to wash up well afterward and if you want to keep your bones you can store them in a little vial on your science shelf, I have found similar to these at Dollar Tree in multipacks.

Free Kids Owl Unit Study Ideas | How to Dissect Pellets